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  1. Lou C

    Trailer ladder?

    I got this simple folding/adjustable step for mine. I climb up on the spare tire and use that to climb over the bow. Works fine for me so I can launch/retrieve by myself. Not as good as real steps but it's ok for now.
  2. Lou C

    EZ lube hubs and cold water

    to the OP post up a pic of what you've got With the easy lube system it is possible for those rubber caps to leak. I usually coat the groove where it fits onto the tin cover with grease, that keeps out the water. Also recently I got a pair of bearing buddy bras to put over the tin covers &...
  3. Lou C

    2001 Maxum 2400 sc for 13k v 1995 FourWinns 238 vista

    I see a reference to Huntington Harbor, if that's Huntington, Long Island, one of my boating areas, I can tell you that salt water issues need to be carefully looked at, namely exhaust manifolds & elbows, and if those are the original engines, they could be way past their prime, if they were...
  4. Lou C

    Bought my first boat to cut, gut and rebuild from bow to stern, including engine. Killed my back and suffered the wrath of the fiberglass demons

    And one of my pet peeves because I live in a damp climate is carpet over a wood cored deck. It causes rot because it will never dry out when it gets wet. The first thing I did was throw out all that carpet. The deck was coated in non skid gel coat and it’s still solid 17 years later. Boat is...
  5. Lou C

    Bought my first boat to cut, gut and rebuild from bow to stern, including engine. Killed my back and suffered the wrath of the fiberglass demons

    Boston Whaler Key West & Everglades among others here in the USA advertise full foam flotation as a safety feature. I don’t have experience with these brands long term although you hear stories of foam filled boats absorbing moisture & gaining weight. Btw when I pulled the foam out of my boat...
  6. Lou C

    EZ lube hubs and cold water

    I have had these hubs over 20 years on 2 different axles & never had water in them. I’d look to see if the correct seals were used, yes you should rotate the wheel when greasing but there really isn’t much pressure on the seals when greasing because the excess grease can freely escape. I wonder...
  7. Lou C

    Bought my first boat to cut, gut and rebuild from bow to stern, including engine. Killed my back and suffered the wrath of the fiberglass demons

    Agreed when we redid my 88 Four Winns about 18 years ago I replaced all the foam that had to be removed. If you’re not replacing foam which also stiffens the structure you’d have to add bulkheads to make up for the loss of rigidity with no foam. Boats that are built with no foam have a lot more...
  8. Lou C

    Mercruiser 305 V-8 Temp issues

    I have also used Leaders RPM I like my local dealer if a part is available he can get Merc, OMC or Volvo in a few days. I also use Marine Engine, and Lighthouse Marine supply here on Long Island.
  9. Lou C

    Mercruiser 305 V-8 Temp issues

    I wouldn’t buy engine parts from Amazon because of how much counterfeit stuff there is out there. Merc parts are everywhere buy from a local dealer. Even with my Cobra where there isn’t the parts supply like for a Merc I use ONLY OEM for: Bellows Impellers & housings Thermostats I do use...
  10. Lou C

    Installing new bellows

    The las time I changed mine was 8 years ago and it still looks like new as far as cracks etc. Every year I pull the drive & really check it.
  11. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    It's a blocked metering block, no way you could install a PV in it. I would have thought that given the 4.3 only being 262 cu in, they would have used the 450 cfm unit, but I'm just guessing.
  12. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/carburetors/marine_carburetors/parts/0-80492 this one was used by OMC and Volvo on the 4.3: always wondered about that, must be a reason for no power valve perhaps with a 600 cfm carb the little 4.3 does not need the extra enrichment of the power...
  13. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    OK Scott since we are talking 4.3s and Holleys, I got a riddle for you. When the Quad went out of production, Holley built a special spec 4160 for the 4.3 which does not have a power valve, as unusual as this seems. I know this for a fact because I tried one on my engine (still have it but...
  14. Lou C

    Installing new bellows

    I used OMC Gasket sealer on the threads because of salt water moorage on mine. That way they WILL come out even though you gotta get em bubba tight. BTW this procedure will also work for a Volvo SX because the design is very similar, except for the shift cable, I'm not sure if my trick with the...
  15. Lou C

    Installing new bellows

    I have found that the OMC Cobra bellows will last about 10 years before small cracks start forming in the folds, that's a good time to do it before you have a failure. Suggestions: Use an OEM bellow, I think they fit better and last longer. While some people try to avoid removing the pivot...
  16. Lou C

    Closed cooling worth the money?

    On an inline 4 it wouldn't be hard to reach but the block drains on a V6 or V8 are a real pain. Thought of a few ways of extending them with a length of hose that could be rodded out. If I replace this boat for sure it will be 4 stroke outboard for low maintenance. I see ob boats left in the...
  17. Lou C

    What does this marking mean on this new to me outdrive?

    Boatyards and marine mechanics may put the customer's initials on the drive so they don't get mixed up during winter storage.
  18. Lou C

    Closed cooling worth the money?

    here your exhaust will not last 10-15 years, by approx 8-10 years your elbows will have rotted through and let salt water into a cyl. And if it sits more than a few days, it's done. Under the best circumstances the elbows last approx 8 years, maybe a year or 2 longer. However they can last less...
  19. Lou C

    Closed cooling worth the money?

    FWC kits have increased in price but so have new long blocks (very substantial like close to double) and reman units. If I keep this boat long enough to repower it, I am going to look into a full system. Don't know if my Cobra impeller provides enough flow for a full system though. I know the...
  20. Lou C

    VP 4.3 GL conversion to Holley Sniper 2 efi

    With any carb rebuild the cleaning is about 90% of the job. It is not easy to get it 100% clean, but important to get it as close as you can. That and using high quality parts in the rebuild. On the 4.3 OMC & Volvo used Rochester 2bbls and 4bbls till Rochester quit making carbs, then switched...
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