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  1. harringtondav

    VP 4.3 winterization simplification .... sorta

    Thanks Ted. I didn't see an extra tank tap. I'm aware of the hazard and have assembled the main supply fittings with PTFE tape and tightened just short of splitting the female thread. I'll install the main elbow with the Teflon tape tomorrow and tighten it to, or over the torque I used to...
  2. harringtondav

    Upper shift control cable Mercruiser 228

    Shifting adjustments can be like a Rubik's cube. Just when you think you have it solved, something else moves out of adjustment. I've been coaching you to focus on the upper cable since the lower cable and adjustments seemed to have worked previously. If you find console lever neutral and plate...
  3. harringtondav

    VP 4.3 winterization simplification .... sorta

    MPI and high pressure direct injection fogging does more than fog the engine's innards. It also lubes up the injectors and high pressure fuel pump to avoid corrosion. If premix into the fuel filter housing gets old I'll go back to running the fuel tank low and add enough rich premix directly to...
  4. harringtondav

    VP 4.3 winterization simplification .... sorta

    My new VP O/M states to run the engine on 50:1 premix for 15 min before winter layover. Last fall I took one look at engine access and guessed on the gas in the fuel tank and premixed a rich dose in a gas can and poured into the fuel tank. I saw and smelled 2 stroke oil, so I figured good...
  5. harringtondav

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Previous 4.3 LX's starter and steering actuator lasted 24 yrs w/o and issue. I could access the steering and maybe the starter. This engine would require a pull to get to either. In 24 yrs I'll be over 90, if I'm alive. ....someone else's problem by then.
  6. harringtondav

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Yea. First spin off filter removal on a new engine has always been a fight. ...apparently the factory uses extra gusto. I grease the new oil filter gasket and give it maybe an extra 1/8 turn after contact, fuel filter hand tight if I can get a good grip. Fuel filter sees slight negative...
  7. harringtondav

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    Access cutout is ragged, but Regal's cover looks nice and covers well. 1) I hear you on the fuel filter thing. Past 4.3 LX I was religious....for about two yrs. Then I emptied the filter into a clear container and found clear gas. So after 25 yrs I think I changed maybe 4-5 filters. Engine ran...
  8. harringtondav

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    The cutout is factory. The access panel is behind me in the pic. Yea, O/B v I/O. When I was researching for this new boat I looked at O/B versions of each....for maintenance simplicity. Consistently higher $/hp. Also O/B versions were only offered in lower hp than the I/O versions. Closed...
  9. harringtondav

    Fuel treatment question.....

    If you treat the fuel, the carb will be full of good fuel. I've never had a problem in 26 yrs. I think keeping the gaskets and under jet seals wet would be a good thing. My boating pal removes the spin on fuel filter and runs the carb dry. ....I gave up arguing with him years ago.
  10. harringtondav

    Engine access is never easy ....but...

    The effort I went through below wouldn't be bad for an engine pull, but was a bit much for yearly maintenance. I needed to tear the boat down this far to access the fuel filter and recirculating pump impeller. Also I needed to access the fuel filter housing to change fittings to allow a 2 stroke...
  11. harringtondav

    Winter Storage

    No. Aerosol fogging oil is available. You could try putting some very light engine oil, maybe even your 2 stoke oil in a spray bottle. Fogging involves accessing the carb intake, starting the motor. W/o the choke plate closed run the engine to about 3000 rpm and start spraying the oil until the...
  12. harringtondav

    Upper shift control cable Mercruiser 228

    First, this will be much easier if you have your boat on a trailer. ...when do you plan on this? "I had to move the lever further towards reverse to get the drive into neutral" I believe this is because you "What I did next was to remove upper cable (USC) from the shift plate - moved LSC to...
  13. harringtondav

    Upper shift control cable Mercruiser 228

    Good to know. This indicates a bad lower shift cable, or misadjustment in the shift plate adjustment upper or lower shift cables. The shift interrupter switch was/is closing before the drive is in gear. Since you mentioned above that you could manually shift the drive into F & R by moving the...
  14. harringtondav

    Upper shift control cable Mercruiser 228

    I mistyped. The slotted hole is for the lower shift cable. ...more on that below. I'm assuming your boat started and shifted OK before the upper shift cable failed. If so all your issues are likely to the new cable and its installation. If you have to disconnect the neutral safety switch to...
  15. harringtondav

    Slightly warm trailer hub

    This more have more to do with the bearing 'preload' than the bearing itself. Standard preloading involves jacking up the wheel, removing the dust cap or Bearing Buddy and cotter key and castle lock. Loosen the nut and finger tighten to contact. While rotating the wheel, tighten the nut to just...
  16. harringtondav

    Front wheel drive launching & retrieving

    I towed our first 3000# boat/trailer each weekend on a 200+mi round trip with a '95 Dodge Caravan 3.3 auto. I added an aftermarket trans cooler and a class 3 hitch to match the towing package's 3000# towing rating. I had a front wheel slip at the top of a steep dry concrete ramp. ...a beefy...
  17. harringtondav

    Upper shift control cable Mercruiser 228

    OK. I assumed you have an I/O with a single lever control which shifts into gear, then moves the throttle. ...probably forgot about your dual control which I think you mentioned earlier. Anyway, I think you're good to go. Make sure the upper cable stud is in the lower/pivot end of the slot as...
  18. harringtondav

    Upper shift control cable Mercruiser 228

    No need to start another thread. I've seen them continue for dozens of comments. Also moderators want a single thread from a poster on a single topic. You're very close. Now you need to verify the lower shift lever moves to both FWD and REV before the throttle cable starts to move with engine...
  19. harringtondav

    First time cleaning a carb, ruined the jets?

    Try one of these. <$20 at NAPA and several other places. I bought mine 48 yrs ago to remove case screws from my motorcycle. It's worked well on stuck carb jets too.
  20. harringtondav

    Lifting boat off trailer to repair bunk

    Lucky you. The only way I can round up three people is to have them assist drinking up my beer. ;)
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