Recent content by Jmunk

  1. J

    4.3 crankshaft/housing oil leak - next steps?

    Since you have the engine out, I’d just swap the cover. Re-seal the oil pan after verifying with a straight edge that the mounting surface isn’t warped. I take it you just got a GM cover from a parts supplier vs. the Mercruiser one with a high markup. I swap out the crank seals when the engine...
  2. J

    4.3 crankshaft/housing oil leak - next steps?

    Yes, I know it’s plastic. My experience has been it’s fairly easy on the ones I’ve done.
  3. J

    4.3 crankshaft/housing oil leak - next steps?

    If it’s the crank seal in the timing cover that’s an easy fix. Remove the balancer with the proper tool, you can rent from an auto parts store. Pop out of the old seal, get a seal for a similar year 4.3L at the parts store. Just pick an S-10 for them to lookup the deal. Install the new seal and...
  4. J

    Alpha 1 Gen 2 - leak & transom service questions

    With the engine in the hardest part of the gear lube fitting is putting the e-clip back on. It can be a pain depending on how much access you have.
  5. J

    Alpha 1 Gen 2 - leak & transom service questions

    While you’re doing the bellows you may want to consider swapping out the gear lube fitting if yours is the composite material that they switched to. For the few dollars it’s a no-brainer given you have excellent access now.
  6. J

    Alpha 1 Gen 2 - leak & transom service questions

    May want to consider filling your drill holes with resin or 5200. Either would provide a good seal and last for the life of the boat.
  7. J

    Sewing machine for canvas,Which brand??

    I picked up a used Consew 206. I changed the clutch motor out to a servo motor with a smaller diameter pulley on the servo and it works great. Many professionals use that model without issue. Any walking foot machine should be okay, a triple feed like the 206 is preferred.
  8. J

    Alpha 1 Gen 2 - leak & transom service questions

    The seal on the front timing cover you can replace by just removing the harmonic balancer and then pop out the old seal and install a new one. Just go to your local auto parts store and ask for one for a 1999 S-10 with the 4.3, you can pick any vehicle with a 4.3 to have them look it up. I’d try...
  9. J

    looking for recommendations for gimbal bearing puller

    I just use a slide hammer.
  10. J

    My block is drained, right?

    I’ve found that O’riellys near me actually stocks the Sierra PG antifreeze. I try to capture what I use each year to use again the next year and test with refractometer. Price isn’t terrible, $29 and it make two gallons...
  11. J

    The easiest and most precise way to install a gimbal bearing

    I use a large socket with an extension that fits the outter race, a few hammer hits and they go in without much trouble.
  12. J

    4.3 diesling

    My old boat with a 4.3 would diesel if I ran it mildly and shut it down shortly after coming to idle speed. My fix - run premium gas or if it was easy to get at a fill-up ethanol free.
  13. J

    Shift cable bellows.

    On my Alpha 1 Gen 2 the shift cable had a plastic spiral warp on the cable for protection that needed to be removed first. Just reach in and unwind the wrap, must be done from inside the bilge are.
  14. J

    Replace Transducer Mount - Seal Old Holes

    On a new-to-me boat the transducer mount was broke. I ordered a new one and need to replace it. The previous owner used what appears to be silicone on the original mount. I have 4200 and was going to use that. What can I do to clean out the screw holes to ensure that the 4200 adheres well and...
  15. J

    Help! Coupler Wobble and Alignment Issue? 2005 4.3L MerCruiser Alpha 1..

    Is it possible the coupler sat for a period of time with more pressure on one side being out of alignment. Have you thought about getting the alignment as close as you can and running it for a bit to see it gets any better and “re-centers”. Just something that came to my mind, may not work. Just...
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