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  1. tpenfield

    Can I Tell if Water is Getting into the U-Joint Bellows?

    The short answer to your original question is no. There is not a good/easy way to check for bellows leaks, other than to remove the outdrive. You may see some seepage of water coming through the gimbal bearing/drive shaft area. Usually, once the bellows starts to leak, the ball game is over...
  2. tpenfield

    Suggestions on how to fill my onboard gas tank?

    You could . . . At the gas station, pour in a prescribed amount of 2-cycle oil to get to the desired ration (50:1 . . ie. 2%). Then add the associated amount of gasoline . . . It should all mix well enough. Or You could dope up a 5 gallon can of gas/oil mix at a concentrated level (say...
  3. tpenfield

    Fogging Oil Substitute

    2-stroke oil may be a good choice in a pinch. That is what's used to fog MPI engines.
  4. tpenfield

    A real useful tool….

    Borescope :unsure:. . . Although I have seen them called endoscope cameras.
  5. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Thanks, guys. 5083 it is. To me the price of $9K-ish seems pretty steep, if they are using less expensive material.
  6. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Quick update . . . In my research, I came across a bracket that was made for a Chaparral 327 SSX, which is essentially Chaparral's version of my boat ( mid-cabin bowrider). The Admiral and I looked at a 327 SSX when we were shopping for the CY338. The Chappy got a thumbs down from the Admiral...
  7. tpenfield

    doing my 1st boat seat cover reupholstry job...

    A home machine is not going to do much in regards to sewing vinyl upholstery. To do a decent job you will want a walking foot machine (compound feed would be even better). Sailrite or Consew would be brands of machines to consider. The thread will need to be either bond polyester or PTFE...
  8. tpenfield

    NOCO LifeP04 in lawn mower

    I'm scratching my head over the backfire . . . :unsure:
  9. tpenfield

    Mercruiser 7.4 MPI - Intermittent steady beep. (drive fluid alarm with new bottle)

    Greetings . . . The first thing to do is resolve all of the codes. (3 codes were found) However, at first glance, based on your engine liking one battery vs. the other, it would be a good indication that you have a bad battery. The codes also indicate voltage problems. I would test the...
  10. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Here is a design thought that would have extensions (wings) either side of the engines to provide better stern access. The Regal OBX is a good example of the design. . In terms of a bracket with such features, it might look something like this. . . I'll just have to see how the dimensions...
  11. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    I might add that going stern in and departing with a 15 mph crosswind was a bit challenging. o_O The joystick was well worth it. (y)
  12. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    The overnight marinas in my area have a variety of slip arrangements, but you don't always have the luxury of getting what may be best. Many slip spaces don't have the finger piers; they just have pilings for the bow/mid-ship lines. So, the lines are at mid-ship and the stern. Here is a...
  13. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    New topic . . . Stern access. I've been thinking about boarding/off-boarding access when at a marina slip for overnights. Typically, the boats are positioned 'stern-in' to maximize the available slip space and you get off/on the boat via the swim deck. Adding about 4 feet of bracket and...
  14. tpenfield

    How to winterize closed cooling system engine mercruiser alpha one 4,3 V6

    If you go to Mercruiserparts.com or Perfprotech.com , you can look up your engine by serial number and there should be some information about parts and water flow diagram
  15. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    There are examples of too many engines and I would imagine that transom reinforcement is a significant consideration in those cases. Fiberglass is certainly strong enough, but the actual design is more important. I did read through a conversion of a 38' Fountain where the owner went with 3...
  16. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Thanks, Scott. Looks like the jack plates are about $1,500 per engine. Probably a good thing to have as engine height will be a bit of trial and error (or testing and adjusting as optimists would say :) ). I suspect once I get the engine height where I want it, I will not adjust it...
  17. tpenfield

    How to winterize closed cooling system engine mercruiser alpha one 4,3 V6

    Welcome to iBoats . . . :) It looks like you have a 'half' closed cooling system, which is engine block only. No reason to drain (or flush) the engine block, since that is/(should be) running coolant (i.e. green antifreeze . . . Ethylene Glycol). You should check the strength of the engine...
  18. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Another set of pictures, based on refinements. I've taken some of the center sections of the internal structure pieces out (cut-outs) in order to save some weight. Also found a 3D model of the Suzuki duo-prop outboard. . . . . The bracket will have about 44" of running surface with a...
  19. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    It is beneficial on heavier boats. That is why you see many twin engine boats with the Bravo 3 and the Volvo DX series outdrives. Now it looks like the outboards are getting in the game, since many boats that came with I/O are now going outboards.
  20. tpenfield

    Covid!

    I got Covid once after the initial vaccines. Fairly mild. . . Got it from an extended family 'super spreader' :rolleyes: . Then after the several boosters, I (we) were exposed to another extended family super spreader and neither the Admiral or I got it. The boosters seem to work pretty...
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