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  1. tpenfield

    Apple MacBook Failure Rate ???

    There are 3 Apple MacBook Pro computers in my household (me & 2 college kids) 2 of the 3 computers has needed a repair over the last year - none of the computers are more than 2 years old. 1 of the 2 that failed is going inot the "Genius Bar" tonight for yet another probable repair. Of...
  2. tpenfield

    Mercruiser 7.4L compression test after valve job

    I have done a few bench test runs of my 1991 Mercruiser 454 (7.4L) after getting all back together from the valve job and general refurbishment. Yesterday, I did a compression test to compare the results from before the valve job. Here are the 'before & after' results and fancy graph in the...
  3. tpenfield

    How to set up Mercruiser 7.4L for Bench Testing after rebuild ???

    I am nearing the completion of a valve job and refurb. on my 1991 Mercruiser 7.4L. I removed the engine to do all this and now it sits in my garage - soon to be ready. I plan on running the engine *before* I put it back in the boat to check things out. In looking at the wiring diagram for the...
  4. tpenfield

    Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

    This question comes up occassionally during the winterization season . . . Of those who have built-in tanks in their boats, and prep them for winter. . . Who goes with the 'Tank Full' approach? Who goes with the 'Tank Empty' approach? Just wondering . . . . :)
  5. tpenfield

    How to tell if a bolt is a Torque-to-Yield (TTY) head bolt ???

    I am wondering if there is a definitive way to tell if a head bolt is a 'TTY' bolt versus a 'standard' head bolt just by looking at the bolt. Does anyone know if there are special markings on the bolts or what?
  6. tpenfield

    I Should Finish Winterizing . . .

    Winter arrived on the east coast yesterday. I had great plans of winterizing today. Looks like I'll have to dig through a little bit of snow first. :rolleyes: Good thing I brought the engine inside a few weeks ago. . . .
  7. tpenfield

    Mercruiser 7.4L GM 454 Gen IV or Gen V ?

    As you may know from some of my previous posts, I am doing a top end rebuild of my 1991 Mercruiser 7.4L. That year is kind of on the border line between the "Gen IV" and the "Gen V" 454 versions. As best I can tell, the engine is a "Gen IV". It has an engine code on the block of T04060XW which...
  8. tpenfield

    Exhaust Manifold & Elbow Brands - GLM, Barr, Osco

    I am in the market for new exhaust manifolds and elbows. I have been researching brands, and based on posts on this forum and elsewhere it looks like . . . GLM - made in china and quality is suspect Barr and Osco - made in USA and the quality is presumably better than GLM. What are the...
  9. tpenfield

    Mercruiser 454 tear-down - pulled the heads off - rusty exhaust ports

    I pulled the heads off my 1991 Mercruiser 454 (a.k.a. 7.4L) yesterday. The pistons/cylinders look pretty good, Head gaskets were good, There was some rust on the exhaust ports of the heads on cylinders #4 & #5. Also some rust in the exhaust manifolds of ports #3,#5 & #4,#6. Pics below...
  10. tpenfield

    Torque-to-Yield (TTY) Head Bolts on Mercruiser 7.4 in 1991 ???

    I am in the process of doing a top-end rebuild on my 1991 Mercruiser 7.4L (oval ports) 330 hp. I am not sure if the head bolts used 20 years ago were the TTY kind. I plan on purchasing a new head bolts for re-assembly, but the removal of TTY bolts may be a bit more tricky than 'standard' head...
  11. tpenfield

    Painting the bilge - bilge Paint or GelCoat ???

    I am refurbishing the bilge/engine compartment on my Formula 242SS while I have the engine out for a rebuild. I plan on painting the bilge and I am wondering if I could/should use some Gelcoat that I have left over from a project or just go with Bilge Paint, such as Interlux Bilgekote...
  12. tpenfield

    Pulled my Mercruiser 7.4L out of the boat today

    I pulled my 20 year old Mercruiser 7.4L (454) out of the boat today. It is in need of a top-end rebuild (valves and head gasket), so I thought it would be easier all-round if I pulled the engine. Here is a photo of the engine safely on the ground ready for tear-down. I did a leak test to see...
  13. tpenfield

    "Preferred" Cylinder Leak Test Procedure . . .

    Not sure if I will start a Holy war by asking this, but . . . I am wondering what the consensus is regarding the way to perform a cylinder leak test? It seems, by checking various publications and forums, that the popular way is to have the cylinder at TDC (top dead center) on the compression...
  14. tpenfield

    Cylinder Leak Test Results . . .

    I have been trying to diagnose an overheating issue with my 1991 Mercruiser 7.4L/Bravo 1 Having Checked all the water circulation issues to no avail, I did a leak-down test today. Here are the results: Cylinder------ Pct Leak L1-----------------8 % L3----------------35 % L5----------------48...
  15. tpenfield

    Finding Right Prop - Merc Revolution 4, Stiletto BP 2, Turbo Ultima 4 ???

    I have been doing lots (and lots) of research regarding a new propeller for my Formula 24 ft cuddy, and I wanted to get any first hand knowledge or expertise before I make a purchase. I currently run a 3-blade and I have been shopping for a 4 blade (stainless steel). Boat = Formula F-242 SS...
  16. tpenfield

    Electrical Terminal Post Disintegrating . . .

    Unusual thing is happening to 1 of the electrical terminal posts on my boat Boat = Formula F-242SS, Mercruiser 7.4L, Bravo1, Mercathode system, SS propeller Dual Battery set up with Group 24 batteries. The batteries are wired to a Perko 4 position battery switch (OFF, #1, Both, #2) normally...
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