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  1. Lou C

    New Engine Replacement - Engine Died and Hydro locked after 5 hrs!?

    Well that’s good to hear because if the engine was losing ignition that alone could allow water to rush up the exhaust without the pressure of the exhaust to push it out. That leak, well I’m not sure could be a few things like the steering arm seal etc
  2. Lou C

    03 4.3 carb and manifolds

    The only other practical option is a Holley Marine 4bbl, they sell one that is specifically jetted for the 4.3 V6 but its on back order too. They do have some 4bbl Marine carbs in stock but they have generic tuning, you'd have to work with it to get it set up right. I would not do EFI in a boat...
  3. Lou C

    03 4.3 carb and manifolds

    I think Barr marine here in the USA also sells the Merc dry joint system in fact they were selling their version of the conversion kit (but this uses the wet joint style just like the Merc kit does) to get rid of the one piece manifolds uses on the 96-99 models without changing the Y pipe. I...
  4. Lou C

    carter mech fuel pump

    Just as tip when you install these, on the V8s at least there is a short bolt threaded into the block that is in line with the fuel pump pushrod. You can remove that bolt temporarily and use a longer bolt of the same thread to hold the pushrod from sliding down while you try to install the pump...
  5. Lou C

    Is Volvo Penta 3L a good engine?

    On the plus side they are very easy to take apart, like other GM marine engines, if you ever have to replace the head gasket and do a valve job. To avoid problems make sure that: The boat is propped correctly, if the engine does not reach max specified RPM it will cause very high combustion...
  6. Lou C

    Is Volvo Penta 3L a good engine?

    I’ve seen numerous cases on this and other forums where the 3.0 blew a head gasket which seemed to be detonation related. They seem to be more sensitive to too much spark advance or low octane fuel. As an aside I have always used at least 89 octane in our boat with the 4.3 and the gas docks I...
  7. Lou C

    Low Oil Pressure

    I agree that a conventional 10w/30 is not really adequate for marine inboard use. The marine engine companies themselves have said this, unless: you use full synthetic oil (Volvo recommended 10w/40 full syn) or the engine has an engine oil cooler Otherwise: 20/50, 15W40, 25/40, or straight 30 or...
  8. Lou C

    Is Volvo Penta 3L a good engine?

    Like any inboard/outboard power plant they require regular maintenance, especially making sure you don't have leaks from the water-cooled exhaust system into the cylinders, that is a major cause of trouble in inboard gas engines. The 3.0 in particular is prone to blown head gaskets, so check for...
  9. Lou C

    carter mech fuel pump

    I have 2 pumps for my 4.3 V6, one is a Sierra made in Korea and one is a Carter made in USA.
  10. Lou C

    carter mech fuel pump

    take a look at Carter's website and see if you can figure out which number the carb is, and the look on Jeg's or Summit Racing, you might be able to buy it for much less than Merc charged for the same thing.
  11. Lou C

    New Engine Replacement - Engine Died and Hydro locked after 5 hrs!?

    I am surprised that it started overheating when you installed the flapper. VPs from '98-98 had the OMC designed flappers in the Y pipe and all Cobras had them till the end of production (1986-1998) and overheating was never a problem unless one actually dislodged & blocked the exhaust. When...
  12. Lou C

    Sx outdrive water pump

    You can just blast it out with water. If they look good then clean up the mating surfaces & install new Volvo Penta gaskets. If not & you have to replace Barr Marine makes a nice aftermarket version. I have them on my old 4.3. I’d give them an extra coat of Rustolium though. The best way to...
  13. Lou C

    Sx outdrive water pump

    It should have a 160 stat in it. That style is held in place by a rubber ring that you have to pry out with a very thin screwdriver or a pick. You can probably clean up that housing. The manifolds and elbows should run about 90-100* at idle and about 130-140 after running on plane. Make sure...
  14. Lou C

    Engine swap, OMC to mercruiser

    The coupler used for the OMC Stringer drives which preceded the Cobras. Up to model year 1985.
  15. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 Oil Pan Replacement Tips

    Keep in mind that the pan has to come down a fair amount to clear the oil pump pick up. So the engine has to come up higher than it looks. If doing this job I'd get a can of Rustolium black, scuff the original paint with a scotchbrite pad and then brush on 3 coats of Rustolium. Yes to...
  16. Lou C

    Bowriders that handle waves well?

    My '88 FW has pretty high gunnels and a 21* deadrise so it handles rough water well BUT, it is still a bow rider. So I keep that cover on, any time it gets rough. I do not understand the fascination with bow riders, dual consoles and center consoles. This appears to be all the boat companies...
  17. Lou C

    Glastron GT 185 —replacing a radio unit and depth finder advice.

    I would install a depth finder myself & you can add a Bluetooth receiver to the accessory terminal of your present radio to play Spodify etc. My sound system is connected to Sirius & I added the Bluetooth receiver. Easy job. I installed a Garmin 441S which is a combo GPS/Depth finder; which is...
  18. Lou C

    Bad News from a Family Member Today

    Very sad story! The biggest thing is the wiring & gas tank. However the value of the boat is probably high enough to make repairs worthwhile. This reminds me of the day the raw water hose popped off the p/s cooler on my 4.3 Cobra. Overheated the engine and filled the bilge with sea water in...
  19. Lou C

    Starter Wiring, 4.3L Mercruiser

    I believe the 3.8 liter was the predecessor to the 4.3 GM had a number of these 90* V6s years ago.... They were all cut down 90* V8s, starting with Buick's 3.8 from the mid 60s which was used for a few years....then sold the tooling to AMC....who used it in Jeeps...then GM bought it back during...
  20. Lou C

    Starter Wiring, 4.3L Mercruiser

    But since Merc uses the oil pressure switch as a safety shut off for the electric fuel pump they would still use the 4 terminal solenoid (terminal R) to power the pump till oil pressure builds...
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