Search results

  1. Lou C

    Help please

    Those manifolds were poorly cast & prone to failure which can ruin the engine, it’s risky to keep using them. The OMC version I had didn’t seem prone to that problem & I had that set up on my engine till 2016. The Barr kit for the Mercruiser works with the original Y pipe. To replace the hoses...
  2. Lou C

    Help please

    Barr Marine sells a kit to replace them.
  3. Lou C

    Popped through the intake.

    If the engine was ever overheated the heads may have suffered damage but the block usually survives in terms cracks. Get the heads checked out & if cracked just install reman heads. That’s what I did on mine back in 2017.
  4. Lou C

    Stalling after warm-up mystery 5.0 Mercruiser Searay

    Have you actually verified that the auto choke is working as designed? Cold engine it should be close to closed; after a few min of run time it should be open or close to open. Some engines with carbs need the throttle cracked open a bit to start.
  5. Lou C

    1988 Bayliner Capri with a 2.3L OMC Ford cobra

    Keep in mind that marine cooling systems by their design (has to bring in raw water from the water you are boating in) are more maintenance than a vehicle with a totally closed system. Vehicle systems with long life coolants can run for many years with just checking for coolant leaks & the belt...
  6. Lou C

    1988 Bayliner Capri with a 2.3L OMC Ford cobra

    If you’re older or have a bad lower back buy a drive jack. I have one for about 10 years & it saved me prob over $3000 in maintenance costs and no back injuries, even better! While it’s an aluminum casting it’s damn heavy!
  7. Lou C

    1988 Bayliner Capri with a 2.3L OMC Ford cobra

    When filling with a pump you can never get all the fluid in the bottle out so if you want to put in 2 qts have 3 qts ready.
  8. Lou C

    1988 Bayliner Capri with a 2.3L OMC Ford cobra

    Sometimes NLA hoses can be found on EBay or NLAMarine.com I’ve gotten many NLA Cobra spares from them. The hoses don’t really wear out because raw water cooling runs at lower water temps & low pressure compared to a closed system. As long as they are not hard & stiff they’re OK.
  9. Lou C

    1988 Bayliner Capri with a 2.3L OMC Ford cobra

    Any good marine grease; I use Lucas Marine which is a calcium sulfonate grease one step up from the lithium complex greases.
  10. Lou C

    1988 Bayliner Capri with a 2.3L OMC Ford cobra

    I've had a Cobra for approx 20 years, they are good when set up right and maintained properly. I would use OEM parts for impellers, shift cables and driveshaft bellows. Check on this site to see if they sell OEM parts for OMC if not, there are a few other sites that sell OEM parts. OMC impellers...
  11. Lou C

    1988 OMC 4.3 2V - Leaking Manifolds

    If they are paper gaskets I would use sealer if they are composite gaskets with the silver backing they may not need it. I suggest removing the paint from the sealing surfaces. You bought them from Marine Engine Parts AKA Lighthouse Marine? They are local to me (Riverhead Long Island NY). Give...
  12. Lou C

    My poor old Buick took a hit

    Same for me. One day I’d like to have a GM (77-78 Cad Fleetwood or 94-96 Impala SS) and a FoMoCo or 2 (Crown Vic or 87/89 Lincoln Town Car). I grew up with a ‘72 Impala 350 and a ‘75 Olds Delta 88 350. Todays cars disgust me.
  13. Lou C

    Sierra Marine Head Gaskets

    I used Fel/Pro when I replaced the heads on my 4.3, they sell a marine gasket kit for the pre-Vortec 4.3s, I’m not sure what they sell for the V8s…had good luck with theirs…
  14. Lou C

    Overheated 1989 4.3 OMC questions...

    I figure it saved me about $3,000 in maintenance over 10 years. My boat has not been back to a mechanic since 2006. Ive done all of it including winterizing tune ups, carb rebuilds, drive r & r & shift linkage adjustment. Also did a top engine overhaul (installed reman cyl heads) & the exhaust...
  15. Lou C

    Overheated 1989 4.3 OMC questions...

    I bought it about 10 years ago. I think I paid about $175. Stumpy’s Fab Works. If you’re going to own I/O boats a long time it’s worth it.
  16. Lou C

    Overheated 1989 4.3 OMC questions...

    The slits on the exhaust bellows are normal, to reduce back pressure. As long as your 4 exhaust ports are open on the batwings, you should be OK. They are small so they clog easily. Good thing you changed the flappers. You should be pulling the drive at the end of each season. I built a wood...
  17. Lou C

    4.3 Gl over heat

    The Volvo SX-A is a different design than the OMC Cobra & Volvo SX both of which have a similar design. Post the question up in the Volvo section.
  18. Lou C

    1989 5.7 omc propeller not spinning

    When you refill these be careful…the official way to do it is to replace all 3 gaskets and reinstall the bottom most plug. Put the large dip stick plug in the top hole but do not thread in yet. Hook up your gear oil pump to the second hole up from the bottom. Slowly pump in gear oil (it should...
  19. Lou C

    Overheated 1989 4.3 OMC questions...

    The Barr manifolds I used were very well cast & sealing surfaces perfect. They do need a better coat of paint to not rust in damp salt water environments; I brushed on a coat of Rustolium….
  20. Lou C

    4.3 Gl over heat

    And keep in mind how different marine cooling systems are compared to auto cooling systems….an auto system is closed and runs on antifreeze with corrosion inhibitors…it can run without maintenance with long life coolants (do check for leaks & worn belts) for many years Marine systems if open or...
Top