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  1. J

    Engine was Full of Clear Fluid when I drained oil

    Over the years I’ve bought a few boats with 3.0L‘s that I knew were cracked externally on the block, just under the manifold. I fixed them with JB Weld after grinding out a “V” in the crack and drilling out both ends so it wouldn’t run any farther. They ran fine for years with no internal...
  2. J

    Stalling and Starting problems

    Looking at your carburetor the finish and screws makes me think it could be an aftermarket unit and not OEM.
  3. J

    Recycled my fresh water system antifreeze .Anyone else do this???

    You’d have to read the label on the antifreeze to see what exactly is in it and go from there. The low toxic stuff I use contains propylene glycol.
  4. J

    Recycled my fresh water system antifreeze .Anyone else do this???

    The old style testers are really only good for testing Ethylene Glycol base coolant. Most “Marine and RV antifreeze” is Propylene Glycol based and need a refractometer to be reasonably accurate. I have both styles and found the old style to be as much as 30-40 degrees off on the freeze...
  5. J

    Leaf Springs

    I understand not wanting to leave any sheen and keeping the waterway as clean as possible. The marine grease I use on my outboard zerks is the same grease I use in my trailer wheel bearings. I have never noticed it to leave a sheen behind. I just wasn’t sure if there was a specific reason why...
  6. J

    Leaf Springs

    I’m ordering parts to change out the leaf springs. It seems that Shoreland’r has switched to zinc plating on the u-bolts and associated hardware. I found the oem u-bolts and the listing describes them as “submersible”, they look like zinc plated to me. Unless someone has a good reason to use...
  7. J

    Removing caliper bolts

    I have a simile setup, I used heat from a small propane torch and a pair of vice grips. I was replacing my calipers and new ones came with new fasteners.
  8. J

    Engine oil

    I used Prestone low tox antifreeze concentrate. I got it at O’Reilly’s, It’s propylene glycol based. I mixed it 50/50 with water. Everyone has their own oil they prefer to use. Rotella 15-40 is popular, I use Quicksilver 25-40. My local Wal-Mart has it on sale every fall to clear out the shelf...
  9. J

    4.3 intake manifold drain video

    I have a Vortec 4.3L, not sure if the one in the video is or if that makes any differences After I drained the block, manifolds, and the water pump hose I removed the thermostat. I found about 1/2” of water still in the intake. On my intake the plug has a square head. Likely isn’t enough water...
  10. J

    Mercruiser 5.0 crankshaft front oil seal replacement

    The lip inside the timing cover where it seals upto the oil pan makes it nearly impossible to replace the cover without dropping the oil pan. Like most things, I’m sure going to plastic saved GM a few dollars per engine.
  11. J

    4.3 Harmonic Balancer

    I’ll double check that bolt on the balancer. I’ll try the GM balancer if the crank snout looks to be fine. Hard to believe the balancer would have slipped on the rubber with only a few hundred hours but maybe the age is more of a factor.
  12. J

    Mercruiser 5.0 tks

    You can always take the belt off the engine and into an auto part store, they can cross reference it over.
  13. J

    4.3 Harmonic Balancer

    My knowledge, which could be wrong is that the harmonic balancer is neutral balanced and the flywheel has the weights for balancing. Perhaps when getting a engine rebuilt at a machine shop they have the time to include the balancer into the rotating assembly. For mass production GM probably...
  14. J

    4.3 Harmonic Balancer

    I helped a friend winterize his 4.3L and I happen to notice a faint but noticeable wobble of the harmonic balancer. I couldn’t tell if the outter portion of the balancer has slipped on the rubber or if the problem was with the crank snout itself as I didn’t pull the balancer. The boat is a...
  15. J

    OMG - I got an oversized load permit !!!

    Did you end up using any of the antifreeze that was discussed in the other thread?
  16. J

    PSA on Winterization Antifreeze

    Thanks, my Ace Hardwares are becoming sparse near me. I did see that my local O’Reilly Auto has Prestone’s version. The website shows it in stock for $22 a gallon of concentrate.
  17. J

    PSA on Winterization Antifreeze

    Are you buying the Sierra locally?
  18. J

    oil leak on 3.0

    I had a 3.0L years ago with a rusted timing cover. I supported the front of the engine, removed the timing cover and cut the oil pan gasket flush. I installed the new timing cover and used a 3/16 or so bead quality gasket maker on the oil pan lip. It sealed up fine with no leaks for a few years...
  19. J

    New Boat blues

    When I buy a new boat one of the first things I do is put on a Solas 4 blade prop. I go down one pitch from the factory and it keeps the RPM in a good range at WOT. In my area in the last 6-8 weeks the boat market has shifted. It went from everything selling for top dollar in a few days to...
  20. J

    New Boat blues

    Have you thought about changing the prop to get the boat on plane better? The engine compartments on the Sundecks are awkward at best, but not the worst I’ve contorted myself into. I have had a number of boats, I’ve always had compromises.
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