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  1. nola mike

    Spring replacement?

    Noticed that the springs on my trailer completely disintegrated, so I guess it's time to replace them. I don't know any of the specs for the trailer. The axle is 2" square, and it's 24" eye to eye with 9/16" bolts. Looked like there were 6 leafs, which seems like a lot. The boat is 19', ~2k...
  2. nola mike

    Prep before recoat/tips to keep from repeat mistake

    Trying to repair a gash in my keel. Plan was 3 layers of 7" wide biax outside, and a layer inside (ski locker) if I felt inspired. Nothing structural on the inside. I had reinforced the keel years ago, but storm pounded it pretty good on a jetty. So ground/sanded the old repair. I didn't get...
  3. nola mike

    What's behind this plug? 2001 4.3L

    Finally got the flywheel off on my slow motion RMS replacement. Found a plug just above the crankshaft that's ferrous (others on the block were brass already). I don't think its a water passage but want to make sure before I button it back up.
  4. nola mike

    Snapped seat bolt

    The front seat in my '97 ranger (which I swiped from an explorer 16 years ago) are worn enough now that the springs have cut through the foam. Back to the junkyard and got another "new" one. One of the bolts (out of 4) holding the frame to the floor snapped off. Against my better judgement used...
  5. nola mike

    Primer for engine block?

    Anyone have a specific rec for a primer for an engine block? It's out of the boat, still mostly dressed. It's been degreased best I can, rust wire wheeled and soda blasted. Most places are not bare metal. Need something that I can pick up at a big box store or FLAPS. Brief look couldn't find a...
  6. nola mike

    Part number for exhaust shutters?

    When I put the engine in 5 years ago (it was an '89 4.3L, no s/n available) I couldn't find the right exhaust shutters. P/N comes up as 807166A3. I got a few different sets, none of them fit right. Ended up modifying the outer ring (they were too big). Worked OK, but now that the engine's out...
  7. nola mike

    Winterizing 4.3 VP Gxi

    My friend keeps on trying to crack her block and sell me a great boat (2014? Chaparral 21 footish) for cheap, and I keep trying to prevent it I guess. It really would be the perfect upgrade for me (esp if i dropped a 383 in there, but I digress). So it's still on the lift and we've got a stretch...
  8. nola mike

    Pre engine pull, winterization

    So unfortunately have had personal issues that have kept me from the boat over the last month, and I won't likely have a ton of time before next season to devote to fun stuff... That said, I had planned to pull the engine to fix an oil leak, replace the steering cable, clean the engine/bilge...
  9. nola mike

    Why I'm nervous boating at night...

    Wanted to leave the restaurant earlier but needed to take a zoom call. Ended up after sunset, pretty dark. On the 6 mile ride back passed at least 4 boats fishing without any stern lights, a couple snuck up on me. I made a point to keep my spot light on each for as long as possible. One guy got...
  10. nola mike

    '04 Merc 25hp dead(ish) cylinder

    Been chasing some poor running for the last few weeks. Originally was running well, but had a couple of episodes where it died at speed, difficult to restart. Noticed fuel leaking from somewhere around the carb. Rebuilt the carb with a crappy kit. Took it out once and all the gaskets...
  11. nola mike

    Stupid me, no oil

    Had been running great and been working very hard over the last week. Yesterday did a few hours of water sports (the kid did his first deep water slalom start and old dad managed to get a turn as well), then went on a fully loaded ride. Noticed oil pressure bouncing around 50 (usually around...
  12. nola mike

    Whoo Hoo! I have a hole in my boat...

    Noticed excessive water in the bilge last year, but was never sure if it was from people bringing it into the boat or if there was a leak somewhere. This year went looking for it. No engine leak, so started looking for a leak at the transom/Y-pipe/plug (bellows were dry). Hadn't been able to...
  13. nola mike

    Tell tale hose size, '04 Merc 25 hp

    Forgot to measure it today, does anybody know what size the hose is for the exhaust tell tale? Part #8M0108355. Thanks
  14. nola mike

    Need to vent....

    TL;DR: Car dealerships suck, and this is why I do my own work Background: Wife's 2017 VW Golf sportwagen starts stumbling. She pulls into the garage and notices gas pouring from the rear of the car. Takes a video. I come home, yup, gas. Car is idling, then stalls and takes a bit to restart, and...
  15. nola mike

    Anybody know about Ford DIS ignitions?

    Started getting some surging, initially worried a drivetrain issue. Then felt like a misfire, eventually got a CEL for #3 misfire. Replaced plugs, which definitely needed it but then started getting misfires in all of 1 bank's cylinders (4/5/6). I put a timing light on the plug wires and got...
  16. nola mike

    Sealing electrical connections?

    End of the season storm last year hit my boat lift. All connections are enclosed, and nothing was submerged, but I guess that salt spray is pretty pervasive. Many connections corroded/broke. I'd like to make them more water resistant. They were shrink wrapped and liquid taped. I'm thinking I...
  17. nola mike

    Replacing clutch on my mini...

    Finally getting ready to tackle the clutch on my '14 mini Cooper JCW. Failed after 80k miles, which apparently isn't unusual. Guessing they use the tears of mini owners as the friction material. Would like to have all parts on hand, and trying to figure out what to do while I'm in there...
  18. nola mike

    Just a reminder that summer will be here soon...

    And I have a million things to do to get everything ready. But today was too nice to waste being productive. Skiff started on the very first pull after a couple of months of rest. I was so surprised I didn't know what to do (the battery was very dead).
  19. nola mike

    Help winterizing 2013(?) VP 4.3 mpi

    Just got down to the river for the weekend, noticed my neighbor's boat still on the lift. Long story short, it hasn't been winterized. We've had a few freezes this year, not sure how cold, but I think engine crackin' temps. I offered to help her pull the boat and winterize. 2 ramps nearby...
  20. nola mike

    Shift cavity water...

    Pulled the drive the other day. Had been dealing with a sticky shift shaft cable that had been worsening throughout the summer. Pulled the drive mid-summer and the cable seemed ok, so I pulled the inner, wiped/dry lubed and replaced (the cable is only about 2 years old, but got dunked with the...
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