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  1. Lou C

    3.7 to 4.3 swap

    True the only downside to the older ones other than condition is that the ones without the balance shaft don't run as smooth, but they used softer engine mounts to compensate. You will feel a harmonic vib at about 1700 rpm or so. The ability to run a mechanical fuel pump on a carbed engine in my...
  2. Lou C

    Ford 302 spark plugs

    I just watched a vid of this thanks for the reference. Going to buy one & try it out on my yard engines then the boat! Fascinating to watch
  3. Lou C

    Ford 302 spark plugs

    That could be leaning out the mixture contributing to the problem. Is the carb original to the engine and properly jetted for the application. You said the carb is new is it jetted properly? Keep in mind that plugs run in a range from cooler burning to hotter burning. If everything else is as it...
  4. Lou C

    Axle rating help.

    That sounds like it will work. Get a galvanized axle if you can they last much longer.
  5. Lou C

    Bought a new long block and wondering about the coupling and gimbal bearing.

    With the choke two things: There is a vacuum operated vacuum break or choke unloader that pulls the choke open a fraction of an inch to give it enough air to keep the engine running. Usually you measure it with a drill bit. Apply vacuum to the vacuum break or choke unloader to make sure it...
  6. Lou C

    3.7 to 4.3 swap

    Given the high fuel prices of this year I’m liking my old 4.3 with the Quadrajet 4bbl. The small primaries make it very economical.
  7. Lou C

    manifold bolts

    If you can run the engine on the hose try warming it up first; that might help.
  8. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 knocking noise

    You might try removing the starter and testing it to watch the starter gear. Yep the big one is the old Delco direct drive starter, not so much fun to change because they are so heavy. The new PMGR starters weigh like half as much. Just be careful with the bolts.
  9. Lou C

    4.3 mercruiser vortec water in oil

    Agreed that is not enough milkyness to suggest an engine problem but you want it running at least 140*F to burn off the moisture in the oil. I tried a 140 stat in mine and felt it ran too cool so went back to the 160 I have always used. Even in salt water. When I had the heads off I saw no real...
  10. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 knocking noise

    4.3 takes the staggered pattern
  11. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 knocking noise

    I've been wondering about this myself, because at one point I was thinking of getting a new 4.3 Vortec when you could still buy them new (don't think you can any longer). I would have thought there were differences in the flywheel and harmonic balancer going from no balance shaft to balance...
  12. Lou C

    5.7 omc carb leak

    It might not make noise depending on the failure. If the splines stripped out yes that would make noise, if the rubber failed no noise but you’d smell rubber burning & find rubber dust in the bilge. The OMC/Volvo couplers are not prone to stripping because they don’t use aluminum for the center...
  13. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 knocking noise

    It does sound like metal to metal contact, with a flapper it will make a lower pitched sound due to the rubber coating. It would be interesting to see if it makes the same noise with the engine out of the boat.
  14. Lou C

    5.7 omc carb leak

    Well a stretched cable would cause the drive to jump out of gear with a CLUNK, not slippage. If when you lose drive the engine temp started to go up; that’s a sign it’s the coupler because the impeller in the drive turns at the speed of the input shaft. If it’s not spinning at engine crankshaft...
  15. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 knocking noise

    It might be coming from an exhaust flapper I had this when I replaced the old OMC one piece V6 manifolds with the later 2 piece system, the water flow in them is different and the flappers make different noises than with the original exhaust. Darn near drove me crazy till I figured it out...
  16. Lou C

    3.8 water gushing from engine

    Those angled drain fittings have a way of clogging up, I have that on my 4.3 and have had to dig it out a few times to get it to drain. They used that because of the size of the big old direct drive Delco starter, if you replace with a PMGR starter when you get a reman block, you can eliminate...
  17. Lou C

    Any lasting proven method of painting a prop ??

    In Charlie's boating environment (similar to mine) painting with antifouling is pretty much a necessity because you will get growth on the props even if you use the boat often, depending on location. It varies a lot but fouling can be pretty bad here.
  18. Lou C

    Any lasting proven method of painting a prop ??

    I've always had the need for anti fouling paint due to the water conditions here so 2 coats of brushed on Trilux lasts the whole season. Your waters are probably similar to mine Charlie.
  19. Lou C

    Alpha 1 gen 2 5.7L overheating

    Some of the muffs being sold, are made of rubber too stiff to conform to the lower unit, to get enough water in. I had this with the dual feed rectangular Tempo style muffs. The best ones I have used are the Merc/Quicksilver ones with the metal clamp. They are softer rubber and confirm to the...
  20. Lou C

    5.7 omc carb leak

    And that's not the only cause of a bog, it could be a bad accel pump piston & seal. I replaced mine last spring and it made a big difference. The old one was just worn out and/or deteriorated from the e10 gas we are stuck with using. I used a good one from Cliff's.
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