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  1. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 TKS vs 4.3 MPI

    These things are in our blood. They were on all the GM cars we drove back in the '60s, '70s and well into the '80s. While Holley always had the performance reputation for hot rodders etc, the majority of GM muscle cars from Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick all came with Quadrajets. And...
  2. Lou C

    1997 4.3GS with Holley 4 barrel with flat spot on acceleration at 3500 rpm

    The odd thing is if you look on the Holley website, the carb that they sell as being set up for the OMC/Volvo 4.3 V6s is a 4160 that does not use a power valve but the main jets are bigger to compensate. I know because I have one, but I'm still using the Quadrajet on the engine at this point...
  3. Lou C

    High Idle After Overheat - 454 Mag Bravo Gen V

    The Quadrajet comes with a thick base gasket between the carb and the manifold, I'm wondering if the heat could have warped the gasket, or if the throttle cable is secured to any part of the engine that got hot and internally may have started to melt thereby preventing the engine from returning...
  4. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 TKS vs 4.3 MPI

    While a lot of people have no idea how to set points, carbs in both the collectible car market and the hot rod aftermarket most certainly are not going away. There will be someone who knows how to rebuild a Holley or an Edelbrock for many years. Those of us who know the Quadrajet, however, might...
  5. Lou C

    Crank-driver raw water pump upgrade

    I see the belts also vibrating in sync with the impeller and hoses, are you sure that the harmonic balancer is not starting to fail (pulley run out on the crank pulley) and are the other pulleys aligned with the crank pulley? I know that when the harmonic balancer went on our '98 Jeep the belt...
  6. Lou C

    980 hours on engines - compression test

    lol if you 'fix' it too nicely you may never sell it.
  7. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 TKS vs 4.3 MPI

    Modern vehicles and boats are meant for a 10 years life span as far as parts availability. So if that fits into your buying habits its fine. But if you buy old (ie the first gen of throttle body and EFI boats) that are 15-20 years old be forewarned. NLA will stop your boating season right quick.
  8. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    also keep in mind if you are going to test it with a hydrometer, the ones for ethylene glycol do not work on propylene glycol, there are special ones for PG. If you don't get colder than zero you can set your freezer to zero and do that test. If you do get colder than zero, you can try to find...
  9. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 TKS vs 4.3 MPI

    the power/economy argument is not the most important thing to boaters. The most important things are: my boat won't start what do I do? my boat won't run right what do I do? my ECM or module is fried and the bean counters at Volvo Penta or Mercrusier made it NLA, now what do I do? this is where...
  10. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    -100 is good and I've seen some that were red. I usually use 4.5-5 gallons. I used to use the West Marine -100 but its expensive and hard to find now so I buy 3 gallons of Sierra brand PG antifreeze and mix it 50/50 with water.
  11. Lou C

    no cotter pin?

    If you are replacing or adjusting bearings pick up a few spare tang washers, they are commonly used on spindle lube hubs.
  12. Lou C

    Cobra SX outdrive winterizing

    http://shop2.evinrude.com/Index.aspx?s1=2tqclkccq1qrh523a2uuan5hf0&catalog_id=0&siteid=1 it is part #77 if it does not drain, disconnect the raw water hose that goes from the transom mount to the impeller housing. Hold it up and fill it with -100 marine antifreeze till it runs out the outdrive...
  13. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    http://shop2.evinrude.com/Index.aspx?s1=2tqclkccq1qrh523a2uuan5hf0&catalog_id=0&siteid=1 water drain is part #77 in this diagram
  14. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    What you can do: Get a couple paper cups and drain some AF from each engine drain and put the cups in a freezer set at zero. If they stay liquid and that’s the coldest you get then you’re good. If they freeze then drain the rest out of the engine and disconnect the bottom end of the big hose at...
  15. Lou C

    Mercruiser 5.0 TKS vs 4.3 MPI

    MPI runs better cold and has a steadier cold idle for sure. More power? Debatable but ok maybe true in some cases. More important: ease, cost and speed of repair. Carbs win that one every time.....
  16. Lou C

    Re; Broke spark plug

    Sure thing the engine mounted flush hose eliminates the issue of the muffs not fitting etc.
  17. Lou C

    1995 OMC 5.0L Winterizing

    I can't believe that they are that lazy. Shameful! You're better off learning to do it right yourself.
  18. Lou C

    Can't find 1992 Mercruiser 4.3 Pre-Vortex intake manifold

    if its on a water passage I wouldn't. See if it can be welded if so go for it if not, wait till a good one pops up on ebay.
  19. Lou C

    4.3GL Engine draining ports

    if its a vortec engine (8 bolt intake) there is a drain plug on the front left side of the intake manifold as you face it. you also disconnect the lower end of the big hose that connects the front circulating pump and the thermostat housing, let that drain and the hoses on the impeller housing...
  20. Lou C

    Re; Broke spark plug

    Same thing with the Cobra, there is a nipple on the impeller housing, with a small rubber hose attached, that allows it to prime. I make sure that this is open every season before commissioning the boat. I remove the end of the hose and use a compressed air can to make sure its clear. The...
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