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  1. Lou C

    Thoughts on Sierra carb rebuild kits

    I’ve used their gaskets on my Cobra (between the drive & transom mount). They worked fine. I used a carb kit for my Quadrajet that was sold by BRP/OMC as OE but made by Sierra! That worked fine too. However the carb kit I bought from Cliff’s high performance Quadrajets was definitely better...
  2. Lou C

    Oil Change and Gear Oil Change issue . Can you help ?

    Yep you’ve got to do it the OMC way. Doing it that way 20 seasons worth never had a problem. Crowley Marine used to post OMC tech instructions on their site….
  3. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    Well that just verifies what I’ve suspected all along! Remember rust on cast iron is iron oxide Fe O2. It is the O2 in water + moisture that that actually causes corrosion. The ions in salt water accelerate corrosion vs fresh water. If you leave an engine block with no coating of oil in your...
  4. Lou C

    SX outdrive

    That and because there is no gasket between the drive & the pivot housing they can corrode together…coat with grease to prevent a re-currance. You should be pulling that drive yearly!
  5. Lou C

    Draining the engine

    https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/1250007-could-use-help-winterizing-1994-volvo-penta-4-3-v6.html Someone asked the same question & I answered it over on
  6. Lou C

    Boating in saltwater

    Will it be slipped in the water or dry stored? If dry stored then make sure you have the right anodes for salt water, figure on taking the exhaust elbows off after 5 seasons to see how rusted they are under the rubber hoses because in salt water regular exhaust replacement is normal maintenance...
  7. Lou C

    omc v mercruiser

    Agreed, don't buy anything with an old OMC in it, the only ones that have pretty easy parts availability for the drive/transom mount are the joint venture ones made with Volvo (1994-1998), even then some of the ignition and EFI parts are impossible to find. I have an '88 that honestly has been...
  8. Lou C

    Oil Change and Gear Oil Change issue . Can you help ?

    Yep you can use straight 30, straight 40, Merc 25/40, or various brands of 15w/40 for the engines For the Cobra drives I've used the Mercruiser High Performance Gear Lube for years, but your problem there is you need to find someone who can pressure and vacuum test the drives and find where the...
  9. Lou C

    Seaswirl 201 bowrider 1995

    https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/carburetors/marine_carburetors/parts/0-80364 It won't be cheap but it will solve this NLA parts problem for ever.
  10. Lou C

    Seaswirl 201 bowrider 1995

    https://www.crowleymarine.com/johnson-evinrude/parts/53942.cfm?mdl=00UQNH this shows the low pressure one as NLA but the high pressure one is available, at a cost of $477. Take a look at Volvo parts, they used the same engine, see if it's the same price or less. Just looking at the sheer # of...
  11. Lou C

    Replaced the shift cable and a simple outdrive stand

    Nice job, I made one like that 15 years ago then upgraded to a real outdrive jack from Stumpy's Fab works. I use my original one to store my spare Cobra. When you have an OMC it's good to have spares, lol.
  12. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    I would love to see a test of the presumed anti corrosion benefits of filling with AF. Have never seen one in all this time. However I have heard of small block Chevy cast iron intakes rotting out right under the stat housing. Whenever I change the stat I probe that area to make sure it’s still...
  13. Lou C

    Mercruiser 233 Overheating--Out of Ideas

    Ahh good catch. This is why the clear hose test is so important.
  14. Lou C

    Mercruiser 233 Overheating--Out of Ideas

    Yep been there done that. Catch it quick before more damage is done. Get a set of Fel Pro marine head gaskets & ARP cyl head bolts & get your heads checked for cracks. If too far gone just buy a reman set; just match up casting numbers.
  15. Lou C

    Rusted spark plug well/mating surface - is this a concern?

    Looks like the rust is from the body of the spark plug maybe they weren’t marine grade. I would replace the plugs then spray the area with a corrosion dissolver like Kroil then spray with carb cleaner & compressed air. Less risk that way.
  16. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    If I actually get this done I’ll post up pix
  17. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    In order to get at the drains on the block & oil filter the seats have to come out. I modified the rear seats to make it easier than it was but as I’ve gotten older they seem to have gained weight 😉 So I have some ideas to make it easier & less time consuming….
  18. Lou C

    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    I’m going to stick with the drain & back fill routine but I’m working on a way of making it possible to drain the engine, change the oil & spark plugs without having to pull out the rear seats. Kind of a modified easy drain system but that can be rodded out with a coat hanger wire…
  19. Lou C

    Converting to carburetor from mpi 350 mag

    Yep this is great info for people with older boats running into NLA parts issues. It is very fortunate that you can utilize simple tech to keep an otherwise good boat still going!
  20. Lou C

    Growling noise when steering.

    Check for leaks all the way in the back of the engine compartment where the steering actuator lives….it’s probably leaking…and note to self don’t hold the wheel against the stops either way because that causes PS pressures to rise to the point that it can cause leaks…
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