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  1. Lou C

    First time buyer

    Yep the biggest issue is unseen wood rot in the structure, that’s actually more difficult and time consuming to repair than mechanical issues. Unless you know that a boat is 100% non wood composite it’s a risk. I would pass been there and done that. Personally I wouldn’t buy a boat older that...
  2. Lou C

    Please help looking at a boat tomorrow

    I have one and have owned it 18+ years, it’s been great very few repairs. But I wouldn’t advise someone to buy one now, very few shops will work on them. I have lots of spares and the shop manual and some special OMC tools. But for the average person just forget about I/O boats to start. Get a...
  3. Lou C

    Should i replace the pickup coil?

    That's the $64,000 question, but no one really knows! I think that what Volvo was using was the Prestolite BID electronic system if I'm not mistaken.
  4. Lou C

    1999 Mercruiser 4.3L Fuel Pump

    All well then all you need is a simple low pressure Carter pump. Should be less than 100 bucks. Lucky to have a carb, far cheaper for repairs.
  5. Lou C

    1999 Mercruiser 4.3L Fuel Pump

    I really doubt you had methanol in the gas, if it was ethanol yes there could be troubles, but as long as you have good access to the pumps then why not try it out, pressure test the high and low pressure pumps and see how they work. Is this a carb engine or TBI or EFI? If a carb then all it...
  6. Lou C

    Should i replace the pickup coil?

    If the OE was made in USA and aftermarket made in China I’d leave it be! Unless you have a strong suspicion that it’s causing a problem. Intake gaskets keep in mind there is a big difference in torque specs between the pre Vortec (12 bolts) and Vortec (8 bolts).
  7. Lou C

    Buying a boat with a rebuilt sterndrive??

    Rebuilts can run the gamut from good to bad. Does the owner have receipts for what was done on the rebuild? This would list what operations were done (ie boring cyls oversize) and what parts were replaced (ie oversize pistons, rings, crankshaft bearings etc). If so that’s good if not all you can...
  8. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    No since the intake/exhaust manifold is all one unit on these you’d normally replace the whole thing when the exhaust is due for replacement like I said every 5-7 seasons in salt water. If you want truly low maintenance no I/O boat will give you that. Only modern outboards are low maintenance...
  9. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    Here's what an OMC Batwing V6 manifold looks like vs new after 5.5 seasons in salt. One outlet is totally plugged. These could be cleaned out and re-used but they were on borrowed time.
  10. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    I’ve had 20 years experience in salt. And if you go beyond 5-7 seasons you are taking a chance. My engine’s on its 4th exhaust system including the one it came with. It was used in fresh before I got it. First you get partial clogging and then you may get leaks between the manifold & elbow. 2...
  11. Lou C

    Mercruiser 3.0 reliability and overall maintenance?

    I’d be curious about the intake replacement...isn’t the intake/exhaust all one piece on these? That could explain it; if used in salt water your be replacing the exhaust manifold at 5-7 years regardless of hrs used. These engines are extremely simple much simpler and cheaper to repair than any...
  12. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    The Sierra gaskets look similar to the Barr ones I used, maybe a little thicker, it may be that they might seal better with imperfect sealing surfaces but the Volvo gaskets might hold up to heat better but may need near perfect sealing surfaces to seal. I know that when you install the Volvo...
  13. Lou C

    Bayliner or Starcraft? V-6 or V-8? Is 20' Too Large To Launch In Fresh Water River (Willamette)

    Agreed all good points, that carpet over a plywood deck is the absolute worst construction for an open boat. Unless it was stored inside most of the time or the PO lived in the arid southwest, it WILL have rot somewhere. The carpet holds moisture against the wood and none of the holes to mount...
  14. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    Yep that's what I've seen in both Merc and Volvo documentation. Measure from the top of the elbow.
  15. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    Here's what the ones I used look like.
  16. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    As far as the elbow gaskets it sounds like Sierra improved them, they used to be lousy. The ones I got in my Barr kit were thick composition gaskets that I coated with Permatex Aviation and no leaks. So the Sierra ones may be fine, maybe post up a comparison pic .
  17. Lou C

    Bayliner or Starcraft? V-6 or V-8? Is 20' Too Large To Launch In Fresh Water River (Willamette)

    Honestly if either of those boats uses wood framing in the construction (Bayliner for sure, not sure about Starcraft) they are way too old, unless stored inside or used in the arid Southwest. Wood rot in the structure is extremely time consuming to repair. Been there done it once and never...
  18. Lou C

    Which Grease/Sealant between Outdrive and Bellows?

    Same, that same Evinrude grease works great on the driveshaft splines and the prop shaft splines.
  19. Lou C

    VP 5.7 Gi-F Riser &Manifold Gaskets / Spark Plug Questions

    There are no VP spark plugs, they just sell Champ or whichever they spec and then double the price. What makes the difference is the cyl head design. If you have a Vortec engine the plugs have a longer reach than if you have the pre-Vortec. Vortec has 8 bolts holding down the intake manifold...
  20. Lou C

    Hydrolock, swim platform, riser height and static water line question

    Well regardless there is definitely a problem, and I'm wondering if when the boat comes off plane, water rushes up over the ESP and the leverage of it pushes the stern down more than if it wasn't there, thereby pushing water up the Y pipe under certain conditions. That's why I suggested ditching...
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