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  1. Lou C

    Partial Power... Part of the Time!

    I must have gotten lucky with this one because once it was set up right, it has worked fine for 15+ years and I have not even had to replace the shift cable that was on it when I bought it 19 years ago. Shifts with 2 fingers still. PS what do you think of the Pertonix vs points? I have no...
  2. Lou C

    OMC Cobra water pump question

    well the hose is just to route the water flow down the exhaust so it doesn't look like water is leaking out of the upper gear housing. When replacing these I like to use some thick marine grease to hold the o ring gasket in place in the housing, so it doesn't shift out of place. Lube the...
  3. Lou C

    Partial Power... Part of the Time!

    However I replaced my original ESA with one from CDI electronics when the original failed about 7 years ago. These according to CDI can be used with points or an aftermarket electronic conversion like the Pertonix. So I could use that instead but heard mixed things about them too!
  4. Lou C

    Partial Power... Part of the Time!

    Kenny what about OEM or Sierra?
  5. Lou C

    Partial Power... Part of the Time!

    You need an advance timing light to check total timing advance. The specs for the OMC Cobra 4.3 were base timing 6* BTDC+12* advance at 3200 rpm for a total of 18*.
  6. Lou C

    Partial Power... Part of the Time!

    Do you have a points distributor? Last time points were done? Dwell checked? Total timing advance checked? Could the centrifugal advance be sticking? If you have the OE Prestolite all of these points should be checked. Always verify basics before looking for ghosts
  7. Lou C

    OMC Cobra water pump question

    Dump the one with the rock in the hole lol. You can use the other one which judging by the box is a Sierra. Better yet get a whole OEM OMC housing and impeller kit I’ve installed a number of these over the years and never had a bad one… For OE: marine engine dot com Crowley marine dot com
  8. Lou C

    Fried the 4th impeller kit? (OMC 2.3)

    I think I explained how to check for blockage in the lower unit water passages & the water tube gaskets but if not: 1) remove impeller housing 2) hook up muffs and turn on water Water should spurt out of one of the openings in the impeller housing. If not, hold the muffs tight to the lower unit...
  9. Lou C

    7.4GL temp sender info needed

    Also try taking a reading with the IR temp gun of the intake manifold right underneath where the thermostat housing bolts on to it. I have found that with the OMC/Volvo stat housing design this area seems to test closest to the gauge reading, about 10-15* lower than the gauge. The stat housing...
  10. Lou C

    Trailer tires dryrotting again

    I’m on my 3rd set of Kenda Load Star tires with no dry rotting or cracks till 8 years of use.
  11. Lou C

    1994 Merc 5.0 2brl Carb issue when off

    If it dribbles like that with the engine OFF I doubt it’s too much fuel pump pressure. I’d remove the carb dump out the gas turn it upside down and rig up a hose so you can blow thru the inlet. With the carb upside down you should not be able to blow air into it. If you can the needle & seat are...
  12. Lou C

    Engine vibrating after water in engineoil

    That’s what I thought
  13. Lou C

    Engine vibrating after water in engineoil

    Normal compression is 150-160 on these engines so your # 6 is low at 120 and the cyl head gasket looks blown to me…dark around the left side of the cylinder. Yes the 2 piece system can corrode and leak but if in salt water you have to replace them on a regular basis like every 5-7 years. I had...
  14. Lou C

    Bad day on the water - NEED ADVICE!!

    Agreed while its big number price wise it is the best plan long term, both from the point of view of repairing ALL the damage and fixing other things that cause trouble on older boats (oil pans, starters, steering arms, hinge pins etc).
  15. Lou C

    Water in engine oil. 150 mercury Varado.

    Try posting up at the hull truth there are a lot of outboard pros there. I would: Check for water in cyls and do a compression test. Usually with OBs it’s eroded sealing surfaces between the block & cyl head, or a small hole rotted in the head or block. Might just be a head gasket though.
  16. Lou C

    Engine vibrating after water in engineoil

    I’d go back and check the compression again. Do these newer 4.3s have adjustable valve train or is it like the newer style net lash? I’m wondering if any valves are sticking due to the water ingestion. I had this when my head gaskets blew and leaked water into the cyl. I had one valve on each...
  17. Lou C

    Replaced rubber impeller now won't shift to neutral??

    You can get the height exactly right makes it easy on the old back
  18. Lou C

    Replaced rubber impeller now won't shift to neutral??

    try Stumpy's Fab Works, I have one of his. if you're going to own I/O boats and do your own work, this and an alignment tool are must have items. I have saved thousands over the years doing my own outdrive R+R every year and have avoided repairs and spending money unecessarily due to repairs...
  19. Lou C

    Replaced rubber impeller now won't shift to neutral??

    Buy or build a drive jack it will save your back and make these jobs much easier; I’ve had one for years for my OMC Cobra.
  20. Lou C

    4.3 set timing?

    Although the Merc service bulletin does not specifically mention it, I would check for drips from the discharge tubes in the venturis after the engine is shut off. Run it as you normally would, shut down and then remove the flame arrestor. Look down the carb throat with a bright LED flashlight...
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