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  1. Lou C

    installing a remote oil filter set up, got a question....

    OK I bought this remote oil filter set up from Michigan Motorz that will work on my 4.3 with Volvo style exhaust. They sent a roll of teflon tape to seal the threads of the connections but I have read not to use teflon tape on oil or gas threads. So then what to use if anything? Permatex thread...
  2. Lou C

    2 stroke oil discussion

    This is in response to the closed thread about 2 stroke oils; just what I learned doing a bit of research& talking to a Toro (2 stroke snow blower) factory rep. I have 3 Echo machines & 1 Husqvarna they all get 2 stroke for air cooled engines (Echo Power Blend) the one exception is the Toro 2...
  3. Lou C

    What to use to prevent oxidation on fuse box terminals?

    I’ve had this happen a few times with the old fuse box under the dash of my ‘88 Four Winns; something will quit working & I remove the old glass style fuse clean off the terminals & it works again. Should I use dielectric grease, conductive grease or NoAlox to prevent the oxidation? Eventually...
  4. Lou C

    If you have a roller trailer used in salt water....check this....

    So I was replacing the aluminum roller bar mounts on my old Load Rite with lower ones to get the boat a bit lower on the trailer. I found that the 1/2" diameter bolts were getting pretty rusted and deteriorated so I replaced all 4 of them (easy to get parts right from LR, order on their website...
  5. Lou C

    Standard Horizon 890 charger makes interference in Standard Horizon 1400 Eclipse hard mount when charging.

    As it says in the title I have a Standard Horizon 1400 Eclipse hard mount VHF & a Standard Horizon 890 mounted in the charger cradle. When I plug that into the 12v power outlet on the dashboard it makes interference in the hard mount radio. It is noticeable at first but in a few seconds it...
  6. Lou C

    battery charger question....

    Question, I have an older Schumacher "smart" charger that I have had, about 10 years. Today I was using it to charge one of batteries on the boat, the other battery I was charging with a newer NOCO 10 amp charger. Just out of curiosity I checked the charging voltage of both batteries, the one on...
  7. Lou C

    If you're towing with a Jeep or Dodge/Ram with the Chrysler 545RFE and it won't go into gear....try this first......

    OK posted this here because I thought it might be helpful to members who have Chrysler products with this transmission (actually a good unit) who have this problem. Just happened to me last week. 120,000 miles, always shifted great, never had a problem with it all these years, no slips, jerks...
  8. Lou C

    Hello all, I want to install a remote oil filter mount for my 4.3 V6, is it neccessary to replace the filter mount bypass valve?

    Ok getting tired of pulling the rear seats out to do the oil change on my old boat. I found that Michigan Motorz puts together an oil filter kit that works with the Volvo style manifolds I have on my 4.3. I asked them if it is necessary to change the oil filter bypass valve with a higher rated...
  9. Lou C

    Trailer wiring…how to improve grounding…

    This is in response to the thread about testing trailer wiring where the debate was whether separate ground wires were necessary or not. Grounds are a common problem and here’s how I solved it on my trailer…run ground wires tying together all parts of the trailer so that corrosion in a bolted...
  10. Lou C

    BRP reveals a new style of outboard, Rotax powered, horizontal crankshaft....

    https://www.manitoupontoonboats.com/us/en/discover-manitou/advantages/rotax.html Interesting, it is a low profile outboard with a horizontal crankshaft design, appears to be a DI 2 stroke.
  11. Lou C

    in reference to that closed thread on bellows replacement....

    https://forums.iboats.com/threads/how-much-should-bellows-change-cost-central-ca.697082/ Price wise and what needs doing, it depends.... if you are replacing the bellows to avoid a failure, it hasn't leaked yet, why then replace the gimble bearing? Mine was last replaced in 2005, the bellows was...
  12. Lou C

    2020 Merc 4.5 200 hp check engine light…

    On my brothers 2020 Merc 4.5 200 hp he just got a check OBD system light, I think the engine cut off at the ramp when we were launching it (also heard a warning beep) but it started right up. Guess he has to take it back to the dealer because it’s still under warrantee.
  13. Lou C

    got a question about a future V6 to V8 repower...

    OK seriously thinking of re-powering my old boat over next winter, from the 4.3 V6 to the 5.7 Vortec. Question is, the Cobra drive system I am using (I have a good original drive and a good spare) uses a 1:68:1 ratio. Will this work well with a V8 if I go to a larger pitch prop? I had used both...
  14. Lou C

    If you can't find a trailer scale where you are located....

    I was able to get an estimate of what mine weighs using a Sherline scale, with a 0-5000 lb meter, and a wood block to rest the scale on. So for my single axle trailer with 6,000 axle, 12" brakes, 225/75-15 D load range tires, I got 4650 on the axle, and 410 on the tongue. I don't have much...
  15. Lou C

    Question about re-filling an Alpha with the drive lube monitor....

    OK was doing a drive lube change on an Alpha with the drive lube monitor, I filled it till it came out the upper vent hole, (took approx 40 oz) then went up to the engine and refilled the drive monitor. Later I realized you are supposed to fill till it comes out the vent, replace the vent plug...
  16. Lou C

    some useful information on 5200, 6,000 and 7,000 lb axles (bearing/hub differences)

    http://blog.easternmarine.com/bearings-for-5-2-6-7k-axles/ I recently upgraded the 3500 lb axle on my old single axle Load Rite to a 6000 lb axle built for me by Champion Trailers (as was the previous axle). I always wondered what the differences were between 5200 lb and 6000 lb axles was since...
  17. Lou C

    If you need to replace your Cobra power steering actuator here are a few tips…

    Just had to do this on my 1988 4.3 Cobra, it was the original unit so I can’t complain too much. A small leak turned into a big one dumping p/s fluid in the bilge. I was able to pick up a good condition used one and NOS actuator and hydraulic cylinder. There are 2 issues with this job: Access...
  18. Lou C

    Condensation in exhaust manifolds...

    Ok got a question about condensation in exhaust manifolds. I came across this by accident because I had to remove the Barr Marine/OMC/Volvo exhaust I installed 4 years ago, for access to the steering actuator that needs to be replaced. I ran the engine on the water hose about 20 min, let it cool...
  19. Lou C

    OK Merc guys got a question about using a 140* stat...

    I'm posting this on the Merc board even though I have the OMC because I feel I'll get more responses and its a generic question. OK I've had the OMC for a long time, and all their engines came with a 160 stat as did most Volvo engines, whereas Merc did use a 140 stat in their older...
  20. Lou C

    Couple of tips for reinstalling a Cobra drive....

    OK for those of you who have Cobras and maintain them yourselves....and this is for the dog clutch models 1986-1993....we know that pulling a drive is usually easy but reinstalling one can be difficult, sometimes it goes right on, sometimes it fights you....so here's what I have found helpful...
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