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  1. Lou C

    Drain Plugs for 1999 Mercruiser 4.3 Thunderbolt 6 cyl

    This is one of the reasons why I think all inboards should be closed cooled. The thousands of engines ruined in the great Texas freeze up this winter prove it. As far as breaking things I did a top engine overhaul on this engine after at least 15 years of salt water use and all the bolts came...
  2. Lou C

    Drain Plugs for 1999 Mercruiser 4.3 Thunderbolt 6 cyl

    That's what I think, but I know Mercruiser does now recommend it, it is really up to you. The main thing is get all the water OUT. There has been a debate about the benefit of antifreeze forever it seems, so its really up to the owner. BUT, I'd rather see you just drain, than use AF the wrong...
  3. Lou C

    Drain Plugs for 1999 Mercruiser 4.3 Thunderbolt 6 cyl

    For the square plug, just get an adjustable wrench, don't need a socket really. Spray penetrationg oil first. The 4.3 and all the V8s all have a plug on each side of the block low down, you gotta find them. Here's a pic of my old 4.3 the plug is in front of the starter......see the 90* drain...
  4. Lou C

    My boat sank, part II

    NEVER go without insurance, you don't realize what personal injury lawyers can do to you if you get sued. It will make your life miserable until the case is settled and if the jury makes a large award you will be SOL. Don't know how it is where you are but here in NY, that's how it is.
  5. Lou C

    My boat sank, part II

    When I did structural repairs to my F/W 15 years ago I got an agreed value policy for $10,500 which was the most they would give me. I took pix of all the work done and sent it to them. Premium is only about 400 a year and this is in Long Island NY where ins is expensive. Plus on top of this I...
  6. Lou C

    Drain Plugs for 1999 Mercruiser 4.3 Thunderbolt 6 cyl

    Yes that’s it. There have been reports of the water passage under the thermostat housing cracking and that will put water right into the oil when you start up in the spring. I’m not sure why but they must have changed the casting when the change was made from the pre Vortec (up to ‘95) to the...
  7. Lou C

    Converting Mercruiser MC-1 to Alpha

    Sounds like a lot of work/figuring to make it work. But I guess parts are just not available to rebuild those old drives. A complete change to the 4.3/Alpha Gen 2 would seem to be the best in terms of finding parts and keeping it going. It is a shame to give up on the old inline 6 but to keep...
  8. Lou C

    Drain Plugs for 1999 Mercruiser 4.3 Thunderbolt 6 cyl

    Maybe it’s the square plug on the front of the intake manifold. It’s hard to see but would be behind the serp belt near those disconnected hoses on the left side of that pic.
  9. Lou C

    My boat sank, part II

    If anyone has a roller trailer and a truck or Jeep with a front hitch on it that would be one possible way to get it off. They launch boats from the beach that way in Australia
  10. Lou C

    My boat sank, part II

    This is why I like my salt water mooring, yes you have to deal with bottom paint and painting the drive/transom mount but compared to docks & lifts I feel that as long as your ground tackle is adequate it is the safest in any kind of storm situation unless you pull the boat. I have a 250 lb...
  11. Lou C

    My boat sank, part II

    Sounds like you’re determined and will follow thru on what needs to be done…we’re all hoping for a positive outcome
  12. Lou C

    Cobra Outdrive Sucked Up Some Sand

    Also search on my user name for the steps to properly set up the OMC Cobra shift linkage. Once it is done right, with a good shift cable, with the ESA working, and all adjusted right they shift VERY easily. Mine goes into gear with a nice solid "THUNK" and goes into neutral with 2 finger...
  13. Lou C

    Cobra Outdrive Sucked Up Some Sand

    Ok if you have the complete outdrive off, then put muffs on it and flush it with the imeller housing removed so you can see if water comes out of the water port behind it. You will have to change the impeller anyway because it got worn from the sand you sucked up, the wear plate will for sure be...
  14. Lou C

    Never underestimate the power of the mechanical fuel pump

    Ok this is interesting because I tried to use a brand new Holley on my old engine after I rebuilt the top end. Had a lot of trouble with rich running that I could never solve. I actually pulled out the old Quadrajet and rebuilt it and it ran much better, then decided to replace the original fuel...
  15. Lou C

    Never underestimate the power of the mechanical fuel pump

    hmm now that is interesting.
  16. Lou C

    Cobra Outdrive Sucked Up Some Sand

    If its that badly packed, you also need to remove the impeller housing and flush it both from the water intakes up ward and from the raw water intake hose backward. With the impeller housing off you can see if water is able to flow from the water intakes to the impeller and from the impeller to...
  17. Lou C

    Cobra Outdrive Sucked Up Some Sand

    Bellows & gimble bearing and check the u joints carefully.
  18. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3 woes - help please

    Don’t forget to check the anti siphon valve on the gas tank. It’s a spring loaded ball valve that is supposed to shut off the fuel flow if the fuel line from the tank to the filter leaks. I had this same problem on my boat years back when we first got it. The engine would start and rev fine in...
  19. Lou C

    New Volvo 250 HP PY20

    I’m not ever giving up my 2 stroke yard equipment. Nothing is better for light weight good power and minimal maintenance. I have: Echo weed wacker, blower and hedge trimmer Husqvarna chain saw Toro single stage snow blower with Suzuki 2 stroke
  20. Lou C

    New Volvo 250 HP PY20

    The reason given in the article is to save fuel. The amount 'saved' is likely not even measurable, especially on a marine engine. Boaters do better with simple inexpensive to repair engines. Sounds like the electronic thermsotat used on some Benz and BMW engines. A perfect way to take a simple...
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