Search results

  1. Lou C

    MerCruiser 5.7L Low-ish Compression

    Valve job on the small block Chevrolet is about the easiest ever. You can have your heads redone if they are other wise in good shape. If there is excessive corrosion or cracks in the exhaust valve seat areas (common after bad overheating) then buying a reman set makes sense. That’s what I did...
  2. Lou C

    MerCruiser 5.7L Low-ish Compression

    Those questions are hard to answer, you can try to run it paying close attention to ignition timing & fuel mixture (not too advanced, not too lean) and contrary to what many say I run at least 89 if not 93 octane fuel. The other thing that helps is to make sure the engine can reach the specified...
  3. Lou C

    Going from surge brakes to no brakes

    I don’t know for sure how lawyers go about proving negligence but if both Ford & state regs require trailer brakes above a certain weight & you’re above that it may be easy for them to find liability on your end. Especially if you rear end someone…
  4. Lou C

    MerCruiser 5.7L Low-ish Compression

    The causes of valve seat & stem corrosion: Not fogging the engine for long term storage & being stored outside in a damp climate Not maintaining the exhaust system to prevent water from leaking back into cylinders Leaky head gaskets that let water in a cyl (I had this one due to a previous...
  5. Lou C

    87 Mercruiser 205 V6 losing power past half throttle

    4-6 psi
  6. Lou C

    1996 Bayliner 1952CN, won't start after winterization - new boat owner

    about winterizing, yeah, I hate those vids, with bad information I always manually drain and poke all holes, make sure its all out, replace plugs, coat threads with gasket sealer, then back fill with my mix of 50/50 Sierra no tox antifreeze & water. Cheaper than the -100 I used to use and better...
  7. Lou C

    1996 Bayliner 1952CN, won't start after winterization - new boat owner

    That is a simple carb but if you've never done it before, you might be better off finding a shop that specializes in classic cars and taking it to them Watched the other vids, some ideas: sticking intake valves may be causing misfires stuck float, could be flooding engine, when you open throttle...
  8. Lou C

    1996 Bayliner 1952CN, won't start after winterization - new boat owner

    that misfire suggests to me somene installed new wires and didn't get the order right! my brother did the same thing on a Subaru about 35 years ago. I asked "did you follow the correct firing order?" That was it!
  9. Lou C

    Going from surge brakes to no brakes

    If you have discs & want electric control you have to go to electric over hydraulic brakes which is a very good but expensive & complex system. I have had good luck with galvanized surge drums. I have the same actuator since 2004 (Tie Down model 66, does not clunk) & I usually replace the...
  10. Lou C

    1998 5.7 srartup

    Make sure the choke pull off is functioning you should not smoke on a cold start
  11. Lou C

    Winterize

    I always replace the plugs when when I winterize & cost the threads with Evinrude gasket sealer. Check for leaks at initial start up in spring. If you want relatively trouble free boating it’s wise to learn to look for. A little prep work goes a long was…. “trust…but verify”…Ronald Regan
  12. Lou C

    87 Mercruiser 205 V6 losing power past half throttle

    I think that’s a Quadrajet carb the other filter is in the fuel inlet where the fuel line enters the carb. Be careful with the fittings you need a large adjustable wrench to get it out. That filter is usually just a screen in most marine applications; GM used a paper filter there in auto...
  13. Lou C

    1998 5.7 srartup

    Very good to do if you’re thinking of buying
  14. Lou C

    Please HELP! Am I being overcharged for Presale Inspection, Service, etc 2016 Cobalt R3?

    Agreed pay and get it out of there. Some of the labor prices seem a bit much.
  15. Lou C

    1998 5.7 srartup

    Just keep an eye on oil consumption, does it foul spark plugs?
  16. Lou C

    Please HELP! Am I being overcharged for Presale Inspection, Service, etc 2016 Cobalt R3?

    there are some questionable charges: an hour and a half to change a battery switch and an hour to change 2 batteries? 2 hrs to change an impeller? Really? if this is legit they are REALLY SLOW....
  17. Lou C

    port side exhaust elbow over heating.

    The way to test manifolds is to take it off, prop it up level on a piece of wood and then CAREFULLY (FLAMMABLE) fill with Acetone. The acetone will find cracks or rust through areas easier than water due to less surface tension. Then drain the acetone and save it for parts cleaning, etc. Next...
  18. Lou C

    Going from surge brakes to no brakes

    People love to hate on drum brakes but I have made them work well for my application, here disc brakes if not fully stainless are no better than drums, in fact the discs rust even worse. Replaced a pair of 10" drums with 12" drums....
  19. Lou C

    2010 Chaparral 216 SSI Bilge Pump

    Some people question why I keep this old boat...I say...accessability and simple mechanicals, frees me from dealers and marine mechanics. This boat has not been to ANY mechanic but me in over 15 years. I keep lots of spare parts on hand as well. I redesigned the back seats & bulkheads so the...
  20. Lou C

    5.0GLPEFS power valve size

    Take the build # off the air horn & look it up on Holley’s website
Top