www.iFourWinns.com

Anybody know part #s and if it's possible to just use auto parts for plugs, distributor/rotor, wires and fuel filter? I know I can use a regular PF47 or PF52 oil filter and getting oil is not a problem but I'd like to avoid driving the distance and possibly having to wait for other parts if not in stock from the VP dealer. I would think any set of wires and finding a set of plugs would be pretty simple...am I wrong? The big question will be the dist/rotor since I'd like to get them replaced and have no idea what an auto comparible part would be since the 4.3 in an auto app in 98 was EFI and I'm sure the differences go on and on.

Engine is a 4.3GL Volvo Penta in my 98 Horizon.

Thanks,
Nubby

One more question, is there any way to upgrade this ignition system? Cleaner, stronger system?

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Nubby


Living the DREAM

A little late for tomorrow's MX but going to order one or the other for down the road...will be doing tomorrow the hard way. Who's installed either of these and how do you like it? I'm not sure if I like the idea of the hose just laying in the bilge all the time but the other one seems like it has a possibility of jarring the lever loose and that means disaster.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=26163&pdesc=Oil_Drain_Kit_1/2_x_20_thread_size_for_GM_Ford_Mercruiser_OMC_engines&cname=Oil-Changers-/-Filters&r=view

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

Thanks,
Nubby

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Nubby


Living the DREAM

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... 008&r=view
This is what I used last year and it worked very good. But I got mine from Napa and had an old garden hose laying around that I made the ends with. It ended up costing about the same but I didn't have to wait for it to get shipped. But also my oil dip stick is made to sump the oil. Check in your manual first to make sure your motor is equiped to have the oil sumped out first.

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Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

This morning I called the VP dealer over an hour away and they said I'd have to order a cap and rotor since they don't stock them. When I asked if they knew if an auto cap and rotor would work the lady laughed and said no way. I then got some good news when I found out that the local Merc dealer can order VP parts so after some cross referencing in their book, they got the right ones on order for me. This means I'd still have to wait for parts but only drive 10 miles instead of closer to 70+ each way. Then I went to OReilly's to get oil, filter and plugs since the Merc dealer (Chaparral) only had one plug. After getting the above mentioned items I asked again about the possibility of putting an auto cap and rotor on. The guy obviously didn't want to put in the effort to even check and gave me a quick "No." The last piece of the puzzle was finding an oil pump or evacuator which nobody had. In a last ditch effort, I drove across town to a NAPA. Compared to the typical "Southern Hospitality" which I have found to be THE WORST Customer Service of any location in the U.S. (I live in Columbus, MS) this guy was amazing. He said "sure I bet I can fix you up." I showed him the cap and he found a cap and rotor to match perfectly, kind of what I figured since it's a GM 4.3 and there about a billion S-10s on the road. He said he could also order the fuel/water seperator but didn't have one in stock. I was more than pleased!

Spent rest of day installing new cap, rotor, plugs, oil and filter and she fired up better than it's ran all summer!

I believe the ignition stuff was referenced from a 93 full size with the 4.3 motor. I was told NOT to changed plug wires unless they are dry and brittle and they are basically a lifetime item due to the core and material used on the marine application. I went with NGK plugs cross referenced to the MR243LTS that were in it. I also put the bigger PF52 filter on with 4 new quarts of Castrol SAE30. I'll get it all buttoned back up tomorrow, give it a quick bath, and all that's left is a quick fuel filter swap next week when it comes in.

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Nubby


Living the DREAM

Can you tell the difference...me either...

It sure runs better now that I got this crappy cap replaced...


Nubby

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Nubby


Living the DREAM

You will find some items are shared between auto/marine, and some are not. If you are willing to spend the time you can save a little cash, but it costs you time. Only you can decide if its worth it.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

I had the same question and ended up finding out that the difference between most of the auto and marine parts is that the marine parts are USCG certified for marine use and the auto parts are not. Whether this is due to a product difference or just a certification difference I do not know.

I have a 1993 Chevy truck with a 5.0 in it and a 1995 FW with a 4.3 in it and MANY of the parts are identical. I bought boat parts just because they ended up being very similar in price anyway.

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1995 Four Winns Freedom 170
4.3-GL, Volvo SX

Actually quite the opposite. I spent the same, parts were within $1 of each other. I save about 4 days by getting the parts immediately through Napa and the marine ordered parts arrived 4 days later.

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Nubby


Living the DREAM

You might also try the VP Online Store. Address is http://www.volvopentastore.com I've ordered a couple of things from them and it's worked pretty slick. I am 60 miles from my dealer, so I also on occasion order through them and then just have them drop ship the order to my house.

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"No Losses"

ON my 1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L I called my local Napa staore and they were able to look up the marine parts right in there book for my boat. They even had them in stock. They look the same as the auto cap and rotor, so not sure of the difference. I installed the ones they had and never had a problem. used them for three full seasons, before buying the new boat.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Many of the parts are the same, others such as starters, circulating pumps, alternators are not. Many of the electrical components are Ignition Protected, very important in a bilge, others are made with different metals to prevent corrosion such as the circulating pump.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

I did the exact same thing. Napa had the cap, rotor,plug wires in stock for our boat. They are identical to the VP ones that came off the boat, and much cheaper. I replace the cap and rotor every year with Napa parts. Going on the sixth year now, never a problem.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Our local NAPA does not stock many, if any, of the marine parts, but will order. Where as I can go to the local boat shops and have today. Again, I have to do a little running around to see who has what in stock for what price. Costs me time to save money. But I have found in some cases to be very worth while to do a little checking around.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

You can use an auto oil filter, but everything else should be marine specific. The old style distributor on my 88 OMC 4.3 is totally different from anything used on an automotive 4.3, they still used points and condensers then, you must have electronic ignition. The spark plugs are a little different, in that the alloy used in the steel is more corrosion resistant, you don't want them seizing in the head. Plug wires, I don't know if they are different or not. Starters and alternators are definitely ignition protected. I would not try using auto rated parts in an inboard, if there was ever an explosion (rare but they do happen) there could be an issue of liability for sure.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II