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  1. Lou C

    Closed cooling through hull valve placement

    That can be a tough one. I had leaky HGs that were putting some water in a cyl but not enough to hydro lock. No overheating. I rigged up a way to see if there was bubbles in the cooling water using hoses etc and I didn’t see bubbles when it was running but as soon as I switched off the engine it...
  2. Lou C

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Can't wait to see the plans. I go back n forth between just repowering this boat and letting it go and starting over with an outboard. In my boating area, the best thing is something boat companies don't make too much anymore, a walk around in a smaller size (20-22') might have to buy older with...
  3. Lou C

    1996 Four Winns Sundowner with 5.0 Cobra engine and drive

    As far as the 2 problems one the flaking cast iron I have had that but it hasn’t been chronic just a few episodes and I think it might be because I always filled the engine with good PG antifreeze for winterization (20+ years worth). I can tell it helps because when I start it after winter...
  4. Lou C

    No fuel in carb despite several attempts to crank

    There is an off idle or transition system in most carbs that adds a bit of fuel between idle and cruise; it may be that the carb needs a good cleaning as well as a new accel pump. The Mercarb I think is a slightly modified Rochester 2bbl which is a pretty simple carb to take apart & rebuild.
  5. Lou C

    4.3gl dieseling

    A 4.3 with a clean & well tuned carb can easily idle at 600 rpm abs at that speed should not diesel. I’ve owned this boat with the 4.3 4bbl for over 20 years and it’s never dieseled
  6. Lou C

    Changing a 1989 4.3 liter gmc block to fuel injection

    As far as the reason not to the cost is pretty high vs the benefit which is really only better cold starting running smoother cold idle. I don’t think it’s giving you noticeably more power or economy. And here in salt water land EFI has a lot more wiring and possible points of failure if the...
  7. Lou C

    2002 5,7 Mercruiser exhaust manifold keeps cracking - 5 times this summer

    Interesting video… The only manifolds I have used were OEM OMC (V6 batwings) changed every 6/7 seasons due to salt water use; and one aftermarket brand (Barr Marine) which replaced the batwings because they were long since NLA. I never had leaks with either brand and the Barr Marine units have...
  8. Lou C

    opinions....

    Good decision!
  9. Lou C

    Water in Oil

    If you have water in the oil but no water in the cyls then it can be the intake manifold gaskets which on the Vortec engines (‘96 and up) you have to be careful with; the torque spec on them is much lower (like half as much) as the older pre Vortec. Also if the intake manifold corrodes under the...
  10. Lou C

    Water in Oil

    That’s the reason why I stuck with a 160 stat on my 4.3. I tried a 140 because that’s what used to be advised for salt water but the engine took forever to warm up & there was actually condensation in the exhaust system. When I had the cyl heads off I didn’t see any real evidence of salt...
  11. Lou C

    5.7 EFI 2001 - clicking and

    good find and glad it was a simple fix.
  12. Lou C

    What gas do I use in my boat???

    Agreed, at the dock all they sell is 93 (good for them eh?!) if I could get 89 I'd use it, BTW there is still a sticker on the flame arrestor of my '88 OMC that says to use at least 89 octane gas. I think in heavily loaded marine engines, I'd want to err on the side of higher octane. The...
  13. Lou C

    What gas do I use in my boat???

    I run what they sell at the gas dock, E10 93 octane gas & add marine Stabil. No real problems over the years….
  14. Lou C

    Volvo Penta VST problems

    Hope you can still get one of those, the only other option (more expensive but better long term solution) is to convert to a 4 bbl marine carb. You can always get parts for Holley or Edelbrock carbs and they will run off an inexpensive Carter marine electric pump with the safety cut off harness...
  15. Lou C

    Water in Oil

    Was the boat imported from the US as a used boat? Could it have been in a climate that gets freezes before your ownership?
  16. Lou C

    1996 Four Winns Sundowner with 5.0 Cobra engine and drive

    PS That Boss 302, well one of my best friends dad was a chief mechanic at our local Ford dealer. He & I checked out a brand new 1969 Boss 302 in the showroom it was $4600 USD on the sticker. June 1969. Just finished 8th grade summer of the moon landing & Woodstock! Same color combination! What’s...
  17. Lou C

    My 84 4winns horizon 195 project.

    I forgot does yours have the balance shaft or not? The pre balance shaft units came with pretty soft front engine mounts I know on mine if you watch closely you can actually see a slight up n down movement at idle speed. Even with the “even fire” crankshaft….
  18. Lou C

    1996 Four Winns Sundowner with 5.0 Cobra engine and drive

    Temp & burning smell Check your manifold, elbow & rubber exhaust hose temps at idle and after running on plane. I have basically the same style exhaust but with a different impeller design. Idle : 90-100* F barely warm After coming off plane: 135-140… Engine temp: (w/160* thermostat) 160-165...
  19. Lou C

    My 84 4winns horizon 195 project.

    Check the engine mounts; could the engine be shifting slightly under torque?
  20. Lou C

    1996 Four Winns Sundowner with 5.0 Cobra engine and drive

    Love the Mustang. That’s a modern interpretation of the 1969-1970 Boss 302 that was sold to make it legal for Trans Am racing. I agree you should be about to run WOT without overheating
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