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  1. Lou C

    Milky oil

    Ok Gen + I think is Merc speak for the 96 and up Vortec. I think you have the previous version so you can probably reuse your head bolts. I would: Clean clean clean the theads in the block and on the bolts. Mine were pretty rusty so I used new ARP head bolts.
  2. Lou C

    Servicing my trailer bearings

    Wonder if a Mightyvac would do the same job. I know they can be used to bleed brakes, but I use a Lisle one man brake bleeder, it's a simple device that works well.
  3. Lou C

    4.3 Valve seals

    That is pretty typical, my old cyl heads I'm sure would have been the same, so I would have had the machine shop do the valve job if they weren't cracked and the cooling passages weren't rust eroded. So you might wind up with better compression test results from doing that.
  4. Lou C

    4.3 Valve seals

    Hard to say then, you'll get better results on a warmed up engine. One thing the owner should know, boats need more maintenance than vehicles, and an I/O power train is the most maintenance intensive type of marine propulsion that there is. So much so that I'd never buy another one for myself...
  5. Lou C

    4.3 Valve seals

    I think that would be fine because cool running marine engines often have deposits on the valves esp if the oil seals were leaking a bit. What were your compression test results? A good 4.3 will have between 160-170 psi.
  6. Lou C

    Milky oil

    It is really easy to tell though, just count the bolts on the intake manifold! 12 bolts is the Pre-Vortec (better sealing in my opinion) 8 bolts is Vortec (better heads, but intake sealing, well you gotta be careful) Also: the torque specs changed, there was actually a mistake in the Mercrusier...
  7. Lou C

    Milky oil

    Go back to the pic I posted of the engine casting # and the cyl head casting #, this is what you need to know to get the right parts for any of the Chevy small block series, the 4.3 gets real confusing due to all the variations, and even down to which plant they where made it. The serial # on...
  8. Lou C

    4.3 Valve seals

    I would not want to do work for a guy like that. In fact, most mechanics here, would not do the job unless you let them do it right. Not checking the heads, when you have water in the oil and no other smoking gun cause, is not doing it right! So what's he going to say to you when you put it all...
  9. Lou C

    Starting engines with jump box & dead house batteries

    I don’t think so it’s just be careful with jumpstarts and keep in mind sobs boats only have a 55 amp alternator not like on the vehicles we have now a days with much higher amp output (130 is common).
  10. Lou C

    4.3 Valve seals

    https://www.drivparts.com/part-details.html?brand_code=BCWV&part_number=SS%2072530&part_name=Engine%20Valve%20Stem%20Oil%20Seal%20Set this is from Fel-Pro, I used 1995 as a model year because the one you're working on is a pre-Vortec, the true Vortec came online in 1996, and they supposedly fit...
  11. Lou C

    4.3 Valve seals

    I can't imagine they are marine specific. The heads are just plain old Chevy V6 heads. Take the casting # off the head and go to a GM dealer! Merc loves to charge an absurd surcharge for a part GM made and is available in the aftermarket as well. Do not buy any GM engine parts from either Merc...
  12. Lou C

    Servicing my trailer bearings

    That's a good deal for brand new!
  13. Lou C

    5.0 Merc Compression Readings

    that's higher than normal, was there any sign of water in the cylinders? that's a cause of high compression test results. other causes of high compression test results on what's not a high compression engine: faulty gauge carbon build up in the combustion chambers normal is about 150-170 or...
  14. Lou C

    Starting engines with jump box & dead house batteries

    I think it’s alway safer for your alternator to discuss nnect the battery and put it on a charger to see if it comes back up to at least 75%. If it won’t, buy a new battery!
  15. Lou C

    2018 Mercury 40 EFI – rhythmic RPM surging at WOT after 5 minutes – video

    Another possible cause might be a clogged screen (if it has one) on the fuel tank pick up tube. Also look in the stickies, there is a nice section on troubleshooting your boat's fuel system that goes through all the pressure tests, vacuum tests, clear hose test, etc. All good to check and rule...
  16. Lou C

    Milky oil

    People who do that haven’t had the experience of doing the same dang job twice with their own hands lol!
  17. Lou C

    Milky oil

    Those will come apart when you disassemble but my experience is they rarely leak. But I guess you gotta do what he wants but with the disclaimer that’s only one of several possible leak points
  18. Lou C

    Starting engines with jump box & dead house batteries

    No but it means that it has to be sized in terms of amp capacity for what loads will be put on it, or else the batteries will never be fully charged. Standard old school alternators for inboards are like only rated @ 55 Amps! Later models are rated for more but you need to take the whole...
  19. Lou C

    Milky oil

    They actually look pretty good. Are the fire rings totally intact? If so it makes it even more important to have the heads checked because I don’t see a smoking gun yet.
  20. Lou C

    Milky oil

    water got in somehow, do you still have the old HGs, post up a pic. Given the labor to R+R and have to do it twice, explain to him it's smart to have the heads at least checked for cracks. They don't have to mill them as long as they are flat and level to no more than .003" variation. A minor...
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