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  1. Lou C

    I freeze my block so you don't have to!

    If you have a Vortec 4.3 V6 (1996 and later) there is a drain plug in the front of the intake manifold you can remove to fully drain it....
  2. Lou C

    Winterization

    Yep I have always done it this way & I think it’s safer & uses up less AF in the process… 1) you know for sure the engine is totally drained 2) no risk of burning up the impeller if it won’t pull in the AF…..
  3. Lou C

    Winterization

    Been doing it this way for 20+ years & never a problem. And, you don’t have to pull out the stat BTW…All that’s needed after disconnecting the bottom end of the J hose up front & draining the block is to reconnect the bottom end of the J hose & disconnect the top end. Replace the block drain...
  4. Lou C

    Winterization of my Commodore 272

    I put a bit of gasket sealer on the threads of the metal drain plugs and some grease where the hoses fit onto the stat housing, impeller housing, manifolds & circulating pump. This helps to prevent corrosion that will make the hoses hard to remove
  5. Lou C

    Winterization

    For those temps the ONLY thing I'd use is -100, not the -50 or -60, if you want to use AF. The -100 stays liquid to approx -55*F, last time I checked. If you have -50 or -60 in there drain it out. The other options: drain and leave dry mix up your own batch of PG antifreeze (Sierra) use a...
  6. Lou C

    1987 2.3 OMC Cobra out drive gear lube...

    I used the OMC stuff the first couple years I had my Cobra then my mechanic suggested to me to use the Merc High Performance Gear Lube (greenish blue stuff) because the drives he serviced seemed to last longer with it. Not saying the Mobil 1 or Valvoline syn isn’t as good. The main thing with...
  7. Lou C

    1987 2.3 OMC Cobra out drive gear lube...

    Yep those took OMC Hi Vis gear lube. I have used the Merc High Performance Gear Lube in mine for about 20 years. Seems to like it!
  8. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 EFI Water in Oil

    Ah, I see what you were getting at then. I have the old carb engine so I just fog it thru the carb, and I change the fuel filter in spring.
  9. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 260 EFI - Water Temp Fluctuations

    The stats can get sticky after some time esp with raw water cooling. When you have one that takes forever to warm up till you run it on plane that’s usually a piece of rust or sand that’s keeping the stat from closing. I seem to have to change them every 3 seasons or so…
  10. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 EFI Water in Oil

    I think once the 2 cycle fuel is used up the filter is still good because you leave it on the whole next session right? Glad you don’t see any water in the oil!
  11. Lou C

    1990 Mercruiser 4.3 Same As???

    Not only are they not 4 bolt mains but there are only 4 main bearings and they had to use the split journal crank to make the 90* V6 an even fire engine. Even so there is still a harmonic vibe at about 1800 rpm that the balance shaft was designed to damp out. That said they are tough engines...
  12. Lou C

    1990 Mercruiser 4.3 Same As???

    If you have a mechanical fuel pump this also Must be a marine unit with the safety overflow hose that goes from the pump to the carb.
  13. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 EFI Water in Oil

    That I can’t say, I have only had the old fashioned boat with the carb & mechanical fuel pump. However I do know a few people who don’t bother with that procedure on EFI boats. At this point I would be more concerned that the water in the oil problem is truly fixed. Because if not you have some...
  14. Lou C

    350 Mag Bravo 3 with poor power steering assist

    perhaps wear particles from the P/S pump migrated in there I have the old style one used on OMC and Merc with the separate control valve. These can be rebuilt, because the same actuators (with a different cylinder) were used on both Corvettes and unibody Ford products back in the 60s and 70s. I...
  15. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 EFI Water in Oil

    Also, water in the oil does not always show up running at idle with no load, running it on plane so there is a load on the engine, is the true test. This way you know for sure that this was the cause and it's fixed rather than finding out start of next season.
  16. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 EFI Water in Oil

    I think it’s better to run it once to burn the moisture out of the oil. Don’t think you need to change it again after that
  17. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 EFI Water in Oil

    Or put it in the water & run it till it’s good & warm. Up on plane for a while…
  18. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 EFI Water in Oil

    The main thing is that your threads & bolts are clean enough that they thread all the way in easily. If rusty you will encounter resistance & the torque wrench will read the 33 ft lbs but the actual clamping force on the gasket won’t be adequate to prevent leaks. When I replaced the cyl heads...
  19. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.7 EFI Water in Oil

    When you install the gaskets keep in mind that proper torque is very important. I would use a thread chaser to clean the threads for the bolts that thread into the manifolds, and clean the threads on the bolts itself. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how to install the gaskets and...
  20. Lou C

    350 Mag Bravo 3 with poor power steering assist

    I have heard there is a place that rebuilds the Volvo units down in Fla called 5 Starr marine they might do Merc units I guess you could call & ask. New is about $1000 reman is about half. Hope you have good access that is not an easy job. I replaced the one on my Cobra & removed the exhaust on...
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