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  1. Lou C

    1994 mercruiser 454 What oil/filter to use

    I've used the Merc/Quicksilver 25/40 it holds its viscosity well and did well in an oil analysis I did on my 4.3 V6. I also use their oil filters as well. Many do use the 15W/40 which is certified for both gas and diesel engines. I used to use single weight straight 30 or 40 but switched to the...
  2. Lou C

    OMC Cobra 5.0 - Sticky Shifting

    OK suggestions: Call CDI electronics in Alabama and verify that you have the correct ESA; they used to have a tech dept that you could call and ask. You’d need the number off the side of the ESA. Next take a good look at those microswitches. On mine I had a similar problem; engine stumbling not...
  3. Lou C

    New 01 Bayliner 4.3 MC...have a few questions

    Here’s my 2 piece conversion. Later style OMC/Volvo exhaust; I used Barr for the manifolds and elbows and bought Volvo OEM parts for the 90* exhaust pipes and hoses. Those were expensive but they fit like factory and no leaks. There is a conversion kit for Cobras like mine but it’s made by a...
  4. Lou C

    New 01 Bayliner 4.3 MC...have a few questions

    Barr has been good for me. However on any of them it behooves the back yard mechanic to check the flatness of mating surfaces. Use a good straight edge like a level and see how flat they are. Less than .002” variation preferably like .001”.
  5. Lou C

    Help Diagnosing carb vs ignition problem, 5.7 mercruiser

    Also the idle air air tubes are prone to clogging and may cause the nozzle drip that Kenny was referring to. I had this on mine before I really cleaned it out.
  6. Lou C

    Help Diagnosing carb vs ignition problem, 5.7 mercruiser

    I’d start with dumping out the contents of the fuel filter into a Mason jar and let it sit. See what the gas looks like (debris/water layer on the bottom). I’ve had to do carb rebuilds about every 6 years on my Quadrajet. It’s all in the cleaning. Usually the needle valve starts to leak and then...
  7. Lou C

    New 01 Bayliner 4.3 MC...have a few questions

    PS I had OMCs version of the one piece manifolds on my boat and over 15 years of salt water boating I never had a problem with them leaking. I did replace them a couple of times but that’s normal in salt water. I converted mine when I did a top engine overhaul in 2017; by then my last set was...
  8. Lou C

    New 01 Bayliner 4.3 MC...have a few questions

    I think that Merc used them from 1996-2000 although some sources say till 2001, it is possible to have a 2000 Powertrain in a 2001 boat. There is a conversion using Barr Marine parts to convert over to the 2 piece style.
  9. Lou C

    2002 4.3L Volvo Penta Starter

    I have a ‘88 Horizon H-200 and can get the starter out without difficulty but the rear seat and side panels on that side must come out. 1st pic is the first one I installed in 2007, next pic is the last one I installed last year...
  10. Lou C

    99 5.0 GI Volvo Penta siezed

    Agreed this is the most critical issue as I posted a few posts back. As far as 5.0 vs 5.7 the only issue to be dealt with is the fuel system; if it’s a carb the carb can easily be rejected for the larger displacement but if it’s a throttle body FI then that is more complex. Check the transom as...
  11. Lou C

    99 5.0 GI Volvo Penta siezed

    While you have the engine out check the transom mount carefully for any wood rot in the transom core, any cracks in the housing and any sign of water leaks on the inside (steering arm, exhaust Y pipe). Now is the time to fix things like that on a 22 year old boat!
  12. Lou C

    Single point drain winterization

    With Merc you have a choice between a full system (includes exhaust manifolds) or a half system (engine only, exhaust manifolds remain raw water cooled). The big advantage of this as I said is ease of draining, you can drain one of these just having access to the heat exchanger & raw water...
  13. Lou C

    1989 vs 2008 4.3 differences

    Yep that recessed hex head plug is the drain. Knew it had to be there! Good you have closed cooling already.
  14. Lou C

    1989 vs 2008 4.3 differences

    this concerns me because I question how the port side of the block could fully drain without a drain on that side. There is a boss machined there that on some engines you might find a knock sensor screwed in and that might have to be removed to drain it. I'd look closer and would be really...
  15. Lou C

    SX outdrive stuck or was now broke :(

    The good news is once you get it fixed, if you are going to keep the boat as long as you remove it at the end of each season it will come off. Just be aware of developing problems esp noises from the area right behind the coupler. I’m sure that this was a failure of the bellows which rusted the...
  16. Lou C

    Single point drain winterization

    with a heat exchanger it is easier to drain. one drain on the H/E. raw water intake hose gets drained, manifolds and/or elbows get drained.
  17. Lou C

    Single point drain winterization

    while that is true, it is so much easier to winterize it with the tank full of AF you really don't have an excuse to leave it full of water!
  18. Lou C

    OMC Cobra 5.0 lower unit oil question

    I've read a few things but its apparently related to how the oil flows from the lower unit up into the upper gear housing. Anyway I've had this one almost 20 years and never had a problem doing it by the book.
  19. Lou C

    Ford carb 460 Octane?

    What manual said to use leaded gas? Must be a REALLY OLD one! I have an original OMC owners and shop manual, they used the Ford 460 for a few years, and they said to use 89. just to be on the safe side I'd use 89 though where I am the gas docks sell only 93. Overkill but you'll never have...
  20. Lou C

    SX outdrive stuck or was now broke :(

    This is what comes back to bite I/O owners who don't do the maintenance. To be fair though it happens on outboards too, if you have to replace an impeller and the lower unit has never been dropped.
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