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  1. Lou C

    Does the antifreeze you use really matter?

    While it may be pink it could be diluted and you don’t know how close to freezing it would be unless you take a sample & put it in a freezer at zero F or check it with a refractometer. I mix my own PG antifreeze using Sierra PG engine antifreeze. Cheaper & better.
  2. Lou C

    Does the antifreeze you use really matter?

    How cold are your anticipated temps? Take a look at West Marines guide to marine antifreezes it explains what to use based on temperature….
  3. Lou C

    Bone headed move - put the plug in with 3M 4200

    Sometime earlier this year I think
  4. Lou C

    Bone headed move - put the plug in with 3M 4200

    I know some people think Lucas is sketchy because of some of their snake oil products but their blue marine grease I think is excellent. It is a calcium sulfonate grease with better specs than any lithium complex grease I have seen….
  5. Lou C

    What oil should I use?

    https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/Document/18452/459c4af5-03ba-ed11-b81d-48df3793b338/c2866807-39ba-ed11-b81d-48df3793b338 1400 ppm zinc the Merc 25/40 conventional has 960, I know this from doing Blackstone Oil analyses the Merc 25/50 syn blend has 1240 ppm zinc but is the most expensive.
  6. Lou C

    What oil should I use?

    that label is a GM label for an automotive application no doubt Merc never recommended an oil of that viscosity in their inboards (they recommended straight 30, 40, 20/40, 20/50 or their 25/40). if you don't want to use high priced "marine" oils another option is Valvoline VR-1 20/50, this...
  7. Lou C

    5.0 oil weight and amount

    Wix actually has 2 lines of filters for the same applications, the higher line product seems made for syn oils, but check their website. If you have a flat tappet cam... I have done oil analyses with a few different oils, and what I found so far, was that of these: Delo 400 straight 40 (old...
  8. Lou C

    Bone headed move - put the plug in with 3M 4200

    Evinrude Triple Guard grease is what I use on things like this. Can't get used to the fact that they changed the color from that cool blue color to some baby poop brown though. My Lucas Marine grease in the grease gun is still that cool blue color....
  9. Lou C

    Rebuild old mechanical Fuel pump or go for Electric Fuel pump

    I think based on what I have read here that by & large mechanical fuel pumps are more reliable because with electric pumps the wiring to maintain power to the pump sometimes cause problems. The last mechanical pump I replaced was 30 years old! And they are cheaper too!
  10. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 Mpi issue

    How much money did the bean counters save by making a plastic distributor? I still have the original 1988 Prestolite points/mechanicsl advance distributor. Works fine as always; a set of points/condenser & few drops of oil on the advance mechanism wick is all it needs…
  11. Lou C

    Bone headed move - put the plug in with 3M 4200

    Maybe you should! Grease keeps threads from seizing. Corrosion happens even in fresh water…
  12. Lou C

    Bone headed move - put the plug in with 3M 4200

    The only thing I put on the drain plug is marine grease it never gets stuck even after months in salt water…
  13. Lou C

    Bone headed move - put the plug in with 3M 4200

    lol that too
  14. Lou C

    Bone headed move - put the plug in with 3M 4200

    Thinking outside the box!
  15. Lou C

    What oil should I use?

    Just not an automotive 5/30 that will thin out with sustained high rpm use. 15/40 or 20/50 are good and much cheaper than the marine oils.
  16. Lou C

    4.3 vortec Mercruiser..lots of questions

    before putting tons of money into it, what kind of condition is the rest of the boat? If it's an 18' or so, stick with the 4.3, 20' and over, V8 conversion makes sense if you need a new motor. I thought of doing that on mine too but was able to get by with a top end overhaul, didn't have to pull...
  17. Lou C

    The End

    Here people with I/Os start pulling them 2nd to last week of Oct, the outboards stay in longer. Usually I'm out by Halloween and winterized soon thereafter.
  18. Lou C

    Thats all for this year folks, time to hibernate this beast.....

    Ok for the P/S cooler the way I’ve done it instead of trying to reach that impossible to get at drain plug (did that the 1st 2 years) is this: Put the outdrive all the way down Disconnect the raw water intake hose at the thermostat housing (86-93) or impeller (94 & up). Hole the hose down to...
  19. Lou C

    5.0 oil weight and amount

    Yep Wix is good, you could also use an AC Delco or Purolator. BTW check your access on this job it can be tough to get at. A cap style wrench makes the job easier if it fits right…
  20. Lou C

    1993 OMC 5.8 EFI and drive system conversion to Volvo Penta

    I’d love to see what the official factory shop manuals says!
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