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  1. Lou C

    Simple winterization process / draining 4.3gl

    #5 drain on Vortec only
  2. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    The thing we don't know is if there was water left in the block!
  3. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    I wouldn’t doubt that people have done that with old cast iron engines for storage. Meanwhile who’s got the record for the most years on a raw water cooled in salt block? I’m at about 20 seasons….
  4. Lou C

    Simple winterization process / draining 4.3gl

    It has to do with the design of the cooling system & location of the raw water pump (impeller). Gravity feed, what I mean by that is that you put the winterizing tank full of AF on the swim platform at the rear of the boat. The AF then flows via gravity thru the muffs to the lower unit. First...
  5. Lou C

    Running Volvo Penta 4.3GL with outdrive removed?

    Sure thing! Post up a pic…
  6. Lou C

    Frozen Block?

    Is the whole frame gone, or bent or is it just the glass? If just the glass, then you can have pieces remade if they are flat (tempered glass) or even in Lexan or Plexiglass. Otherwise you'd need to look for a frame from a similar size (width) boat. Those simple alu frames that have straight...
  7. Lou C

    Removing outdrive trimmed up a little bit?

    As soon as you slide out the rod for the trim rams the drive will drop right onto your drive stand (watch your fingers!)
  8. Lou C

    Running Volvo Penta 4.3GL with outdrive removed?

    You have to feed water to the impeller housing; there are a few ways to do that; one is to fab up a fitting for the garden hose and then have someone hold it into the water passage hole in the pivot housing and stick a rag in the bellows to keep water from the exhaust housing from spraying into...
  9. Lou C

    Simple winterization process / draining 4.3gl

    Yes you need to drain out the water first. Or else the stat won’t open & all the AF will go out the exhaust manifolds.this will fill the manifolds but leave the block full of raw water and it will crack when the temp drops. Plus running in the AF uses more AF than manually filling and also an...
  10. Lou C

    Volvo Penta steering yoke shaft won't fit back into the tiller arm

    similar to what you have to do if you're brave enough (foolish) to replace the front shocks on one of these modern 4x4s like my '07 Jeep with IFS. There is a pinch bolt that has to be slightly expanded for the shock to slide into it. That job I paid a shop to do, money well spent!
  11. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    You’re taking about the block drain, correct? When you fill with AF for the block you disconnect the big hose between the circ pump & stat housing at the top end (this is after draining from the bottom) till the AF comes out the neck on the stat housing for the big hose. You have to get the...
  12. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    Which engine do you have? In-line 4, V6 or V8? The block drain on the 4 is on the side under the manifold On the V engines there is one drain on both sides of the block, in front of the starter on the starboard side & in front of the oil filter mount on the port side. For the manifolds it can...
  13. Lou C

    Frozen Block?

    I’d say buy a lottery ticket! That’s a rare but not unheard of event!
  14. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    Agreed, what you can do, is use aftermarket manifolds & elbows, but use an OEM gasket. I used the Barr kit on the last job because I had to finally convert from the OMC batwings on the V6 to the later 2 piece style, I used the Barr gaskets coated with Permatex Aviation, and no leaks. The Barr...
  15. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    Ahh of course you’re right, that’s the one thing that I have replaced repeatedly in salt water Installed set # 1 in 2004 Set # 2 in 2011 Set # 3 in 2017 I monitor the temps with an IR temp gun & just bought an endoscope camera. When I winterized it I removed the rubber hoses and scoped both...
  16. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    So does West Marine (-100 burst protection, -50 freeze protection) and Sierra PG automotive antifreeze which you can mix up to whatever strength you need, I mix mine to -30*F. both non-toxic & both have corrosion inhibitors. BTW I have done this each winter for 20 years, boat is used 100% in...
  17. Lou C

    Is There a Repair Kit for Corrosion on the Gymbal Housing?

    Aluminum is pretty soft, I would ask around, a place that fixes lower units might be able to do it. And then it's done right the first time.
  18. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    You can though it might be mixed in with some dingy bilge water and motor oil drips lol. Might try it next spring. clean bilge out, drain then put plug in drain af, then remove plug and put AF back in containers.
  19. Lou C

    Winterizing a Merc A1-G1 Block Question Antifreeze

    If you're going to use AF, the way to do it is to use non-toxic Propylene Glycol with corrosion inhibitors. If you use toxic Ethylene Glycol that's going to be spilling all over your driveway when you start up in spring.
  20. Lou C

    2006 Monterey Boat with a 4.3L Mercruiser TKS Engine S/N 0w354897 Mysterious Loss of Power

    I would check all electronic components and the coil. Measure resistances cold & hot. Compare to factory specs. Electronics & could can break down with heat. I would also check the 2 remaining parts of the fuel system; the anti siphon valve. These can get clogged with debris. Then there’s the...
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