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  1. Lou C

    Hey Newbies

    So newbies, go and get educated, THEN come back and ask questions!
  2. Lou C

    Worth flame arrestor upgrade for Mercruiser engines?

    I'd just replace it. That's a safety device that you do NOT want to fail. They are not expensive.
  3. Lou C

    Vista 248 power steering

    you can see it in this pic, if that is a joint venture Volvo/OMC engine they used the same brackets as the old OMC Cobra. might want to see if you can get back in the starboard side of the engine compartment and check the P/S actuator. Leaks on older boats are common. I replaced my original 1988...
  4. Lou C

    Hey Newbies

  5. Lou C

    Hey Newbies

  6. Lou C

    Hey Newbies

    To all the newbies: Some of us are old school and have been wrenching on our stuff since the days of points distributors, Quadrajets Holleys and Carters. The first thing most of us did unless a family member or close friend worked in a shop was BUY A FACTORY SHOP MANUAL. And then READ IT. That...
  7. Lou C

    Do you use Loctite on your lower unit bolts?

    Agreed I can’t imagine why they would loctite those bolts on with the red when the blue would suffice, furthermore lower unit bolts just don’t back out, in fact the main problem is seizing due to salt water intrusion on the threads. A gasket sealer like Merc Perfect Seal, Evinrude Gasket Sealer...
  8. Lou C

    Do you use Loctite on your lower unit bolts?

    OMC said to use their gasket sealer in their shop manuals.
  9. Lou C

    Merc Outboard - 2 Year Old Engine Failure, 5 Year Extended Warranty Denied

    Agreed I'm a fan of old school power be it 2 stroke outboards or GM cast iron inboards. Cheap to buy, cheap to repair, easy to understand, no special tools needed, etc. Ya just gotta be a bit of a backyard mechanic.
  10. Lou C

    1997 Merc 4.3 V6 LXGen+

    looks like the newer engines did away with the time honored timing tab on the old tin timing chain cover, what they have now is kinda like what Ford engines always had so you really need the timing tape.... the old set up was easy to use after you cleaned off the grease lol.
  11. Lou C

    Do you use Loctite on your lower unit bolts?

    On lower units I’ve used Evinrude gasket sealer on bolt threads this keeps water out and reduces the chance of seizing up even in salt water. I have an OMC Cobra that lives in salt water 5 months out of the year & the bolts for the anodes come right out when the threads are coated with this stuff…
  12. Lou C

    1997 Merc 4.3 V6 LXGen+

    No one is bashing you it’s all meant in fun & we don’t want you to lose your engine. Sorry if it sounded like bashing it wasn’t meant that way….
  13. Lou C

    Four Winns=four losses? 93 Ford 5.0 OMC?

  14. Lou C

    Four Winns=four losses? 93 Ford 5.0 OMC?

    thanks, when you own a Cobra powered boat, it's like a classic car. You have to learn things other people don't know, and know how to find parts, keep spares etc. I have a lot of spares, a complete spare drive and transom mount as well.
  15. Lou C

    Air Don't Freeze Winterization

    I always start mine up in the driveway before launching. Its part of living with old school carbed engines. Not like modern EFI. It sure is nice to have the engine just light off in a half a crank on the ramp... our salt water launch ramp....
  16. Lou C

    Air Don't Freeze Winterization

    the block and manifolds on a 4.3 probably hold close to 3.5 gallons I'd guess......
  17. Lou C

    1997 Merc 4.3 V6 LXGen+

    Do you realize you are committing heresy in this audience of veteran shade tree mechanics, thou have sinned now do your penance and learn how to time your engine ;) or else, yea who have strayed from the direction of the good book (Merc Service Manual) shall suffer the slings and arrows of holed...
  18. Lou C

    Four Winns=four losses? 93 Ford 5.0 OMC?

    Ok for some reason lost to the sands of time, OMC had a hole on that side of the Cobra upper gear housing (maybe for a flush system never sold) that is actually in the water passage from the impeller to the transom mount. So they plugged it with an oring and a screw and a retainer plate on the...
  19. Lou C

    Four Winns=four losses? 93 Ford 5.0 OMC?

    you might be replacing this soon, the Cobra impeller, very easy to do.... mine's Chevy 4.3 4bbl Quadrajet.... here it is on the mooring.....
  20. Lou C

    Four Winns=four losses? 93 Ford 5.0 OMC?

    I suggest you head over to ebay and buy a genuine OMC shop manual and start reading....
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