Search results

  1. Lou C

    Copper head gasket

    Copper would cause galvanic corrosion between it & the alu block & head!
  2. Lou C

    4.3gl dieseling

    IIRC Mercruiser had put out a service bulletin about dieseling on these engines; with suggestions on how to reduce it. Maybe someone here can find it….
  3. Lou C

    1985 mercruiser 3.0 starter

    The older you get the nicer it is to have a PMGR starter! Like 8 lbs vs about 20 lbs. VERY IMPORTANT Make sure to use the correct length starter bolts, if you use ones that are slightly too long they will bottom out before they clamp down the starter and can break off in the block due to the...
  4. Lou C

    1996 Four Winns Sundowner with 5.0 Cobra engine and drive

    When I get home I’ll measure the barb on my spare fuel pump. As far as the water separating filter if it’s the one that the factory mounted on the block then it’s the OMC/Volvo standard size filters. I have spares of those too in the garage so I can post up the parts #s. I use either BRP or...
  5. Lou C

    1985 mercruiser 3.0 starter

    check out ARCO's on line catalog, I have used both their starters and alternators.
  6. Lou C

    Closed cooling through hull valve placement

    That can be a tough one. I had leaky HGs that were putting some water in a cyl but not enough to hydro lock. No overheating. I rigged up a way to see if there was bubbles in the cooling water using hoses etc and I didn’t see bubbles when it was running but as soon as I switched off the engine it...
  7. Lou C

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Can't wait to see the plans. I go back n forth between just repowering this boat and letting it go and starting over with an outboard. In my boating area, the best thing is something boat companies don't make too much anymore, a walk around in a smaller size (20-22') might have to buy older with...
  8. Lou C

    1996 Four Winns Sundowner with 5.0 Cobra engine and drive

    As far as the 2 problems one the flaking cast iron I have had that but it hasn’t been chronic just a few episodes and I think it might be because I always filled the engine with good PG antifreeze for winterization (20+ years worth). I can tell it helps because when I start it after winter...
  9. Lou C

    No fuel in carb despite several attempts to crank

    There is an off idle or transition system in most carbs that adds a bit of fuel between idle and cruise; it may be that the carb needs a good cleaning as well as a new accel pump. The Mercarb I think is a slightly modified Rochester 2bbl which is a pretty simple carb to take apart & rebuild.
  10. Lou C

    4.3gl dieseling

    A 4.3 with a clean & well tuned carb can easily idle at 600 rpm abs at that speed should not diesel. I’ve owned this boat with the 4.3 4bbl for over 20 years and it’s never dieseled
  11. Lou C

    Changing a 1989 4.3 liter gmc block to fuel injection

    As far as the reason not to the cost is pretty high vs the benefit which is really only better cold starting running smoother cold idle. I don’t think it’s giving you noticeably more power or economy. And here in salt water land EFI has a lot more wiring and possible points of failure if the...
  12. Lou C

    2002 5,7 Mercruiser exhaust manifold keeps cracking - 5 times this summer

    Interesting video… The only manifolds I have used were OEM OMC (V6 batwings) changed every 6/7 seasons due to salt water use; and one aftermarket brand (Barr Marine) which replaced the batwings because they were long since NLA. I never had leaks with either brand and the Barr Marine units have...
  13. Lou C

    opinions....

    Good decision!
  14. Lou C

    Water in Oil

    If you have water in the oil but no water in the cyls then it can be the intake manifold gaskets which on the Vortec engines (‘96 and up) you have to be careful with; the torque spec on them is much lower (like half as much) as the older pre Vortec. Also if the intake manifold corrodes under the...
  15. Lou C

    Water in Oil

    That’s the reason why I stuck with a 160 stat on my 4.3. I tried a 140 because that’s what used to be advised for salt water but the engine took forever to warm up & there was actually condensation in the exhaust system. When I had the cyl heads off I didn’t see any real evidence of salt...
  16. Lou C

    5.7 EFI 2001 - clicking and

    good find and glad it was a simple fix.
  17. Lou C

    What gas do I use in my boat???

    Agreed, at the dock all they sell is 93 (good for them eh?!) if I could get 89 I'd use it, BTW there is still a sticker on the flame arrestor of my '88 OMC that says to use at least 89 octane gas. I think in heavily loaded marine engines, I'd want to err on the side of higher octane. The...
  18. Lou C

    What gas do I use in my boat???

    I run what they sell at the gas dock, E10 93 octane gas & add marine Stabil. No real problems over the years….
  19. Lou C

    Volvo Penta VST problems

    Hope you can still get one of those, the only other option (more expensive but better long term solution) is to convert to a 4 bbl marine carb. You can always get parts for Holley or Edelbrock carbs and they will run off an inexpensive Carter marine electric pump with the safety cut off harness...
  20. Lou C

    Water in Oil

    Was the boat imported from the US as a used boat? Could it have been in a climate that gets freezes before your ownership?
Top