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  1. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    well you can build your own, I did that for my first one. Used some left over wood and casters for the bottom to make it roll. Not hard to make one. This is an old pic like 15 years ago. Still running the same OMC Cobra drive....I still have that old stand I use it to store my spare Cobra drive...
  2. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    keep in mind there is video editing, they don't always show you everything. Without the right tools, removing the gimble bearing can be a horror show, and without the right installation tool, you will damage the new bearing and then in a few weeks it starts howling and you are back to where you...
  3. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    Not to beat a dead horse but don't dilly dally on those bad manifolds. It could REALLY cost you. There is a reason why Merc discontinued them. Due to the casting method used they could not get consistent wall thickness. That means that in some areas they could be very thin and can rust though...
  4. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    tools? well do you have a bad back? If so the drive jack I posted a pic of is the best money you will ever spend. Getting it off, is one thing, getting it back on, well sometimes it goes right on, other times the last 1" will fight you to the point of utter frustration. What I learned in 15...
  5. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    I'm not a Merc guy so I'll let them respond, but I can tell you that for my OMC Cobra just the 2 bellows & gasket alone is approx $120. Keep in mind though once this is replaced, they are good for at least 5 years, and the only thing you replace once a year is the gasket between the drive and...
  6. Lou C

    Mercruiser 165 distributor breaker plate

    The Prestolite usually had a wick in the top of the distributor shaft, just a few drops of oil each year would keep the weights/springs from corroding. I'm still running mine, I don't find the points to be a problem really, I usually get 4-5 seasons out of them, but always check for pitting at...
  7. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    If you have any doubts I would consider even paying a mechanic to remove the drive to check the things we are discussing here, because negelected I/Os have a potential for costing a lot of money to put right. I've been able to make mine last as long as it has with regular maintenance, drive pull...
  8. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    I always use OEM for things like driveshaft bellows and raw water impellers, these are parts that you want to fit right and work right. If not expensive problems happen and you get to fix it twice.
  9. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    Agreed and don't forget transom leaks on I/Os (which is one of the several reasons why I won't own another) can be the proverbial rabbit hole. Causes: 1)bellows (easy to rectify, not expensive) 2)steering arm (not easy to rectify, expensive) 3)rotted transom (deal breaker, very expensive to...
  10. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    https://www.marineengineparts.com/barr-conversion-kit-for-mercruiser-v-6-gm-4-3-liter-from-one-piece-to-two-piece there are other kits but this is likely to be the best quality in aftermarket.
  11. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    In the pix I could not really see the u joint bellows, only the shift cable and exhaust bellows. You really want to see if cracks are developing in the folds of the u joint and shift cable bellows. A good replacement interval is 5 seasons, they will last longer if the drive is kept down. I've...
  12. Lou C

    Cobra overheating after new lower unit

    Did they replace the water tube gaskets and use the plastic guide to line up the water tube? That’s the one thing that can go wrong with putting the 2 drive units back together
  13. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    For the conversion you need additional parts in addition to the manifolds and elbows. There are 2 exhaust pipes that adapt from the elbows to the Y pipe and 2 rubber hoses on each side to connect.Actual price of the complete Barr price which I found on Marine Engine Parts (AKA Lighthouse Marine)...
  14. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    It’s a conversion so you need a whole kit. I think Barr Marine sells an aftermarket kit for about $1200 then you have to add labor unless you can do it yourself.
  15. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    You don't get mildew with 2 covers?
  16. Lou C

    First time boat owner with questions about 1998 Starcraft 1810 LX

    First is find the cause of water getting in, ideally a water test should start with a totally dry bilge if possible Second, that engine has the Merc one piece manifolds that are prone to crack and let water in the engine, I'd figure on replacing them with the 2 piece system. Those can kill...
  17. Lou C

    2.3 cobra shift problem now...?

    It sounds like when you changed the cable adapters it changed the shift cable adjustment, perhaps you are not getting enough travel to fully engage the dog clutch in the fwd gear....might have to: make sure the cable adapter is installed correctly first, since that's the last thing that was...
  18. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L IO starting procedure? Stalls when going into gear

    Great outcome glad the shop took care of it for you!
  19. Lou C

    1990 (ish) Yamaha 3 HP only runs on choke

    Glad it was a non-event. We are a bit spoiled not really used to hurricanes here.
  20. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 4.3GL-C bogs and surges when hot

    Lucky simple solution, those chokes need a constant supply 12V to stay open. So your engine was running way to rich.
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