Ok, so I've been looking for a decent used boat. Wanted something in reasonable shape that wouldn't break the bank. Got pretty weary looking at boats where over the phone the owners said it was in good shape only to go look and be horribly disappointed.
Finally got a call from a friend that knew I was in the market and said he knew of a decent boat that had been traded in because the engine was blown. I wasn't overly excited but figured what the heck, wouldn't hurt to look at one more.
Drove to the dealers lot and the boat was clear back in the rear corner of the lot. Its an 86 Bayliner Capri 1950 BowRider with a Volvo Penta 225 (225 HP Chevy 305) and a 275 out dirve. Hour meter said 102 hours and change.
The boat itself (other than some oxidation in places) looked great and the interior is near perfect and is setting on a decent trailer. (Trailer could use some paint.)
I was thinking, well if I could get it cheap enough I could drop another small block chevy in it. Talked to the dealer about it and he told me the previous owner had brought it in as a trade in and that there was something seriously wrong with the engine as it dumped all the engine oil in the bilge faster than you could pour it in the top of the engine. (In my head I was thinking busted block.)
He said they had not pulled it in the shop as its spring, his mechanics are working 10 hour days and they didn't have time and he did not want to invest anything in an older boat. Ok, so what would you take for it? He said $1,000 cash money. I left with the boat behind my truck.
I took it home and began looking around for a replacement engine but decided heck, it wouldn't cost me much to at least see what I could see with the existing engine. Filled with oil, hooked up the flusher and had a buddy fire the engine while I stuck my head in the bilge with a good light and mechanics mirror. About 3 seconds of run time was all I needed, the oil POURED out of it around the oil filter.
Folks, in all my years I have never seen an oil filter that was so tightly installed. I litteraly twisted the can getting it off. Got it off and half the o-ring was missing! Looked around carefully in the bilge and found the missing pieces.
Cleand up the mating surface, installed a new and correct filter (the filter the owner had installed was not the right one.) refilled the engine and fired it up. Not a drop of oil!!! The engine ran perfectly! Tossed in a new set of plugs, wires, dist. cap etc. and did a little tuning and it purrs.
Total investment, bout $1,100.
Fact, some people should NOT do their own maintenace and should let the shop do it. Oh well, his loss, my gain! Now all I need is for some decent weather, its been rainy all week...
Finally got a call from a friend that knew I was in the market and said he knew of a decent boat that had been traded in because the engine was blown. I wasn't overly excited but figured what the heck, wouldn't hurt to look at one more.
Drove to the dealers lot and the boat was clear back in the rear corner of the lot. Its an 86 Bayliner Capri 1950 BowRider with a Volvo Penta 225 (225 HP Chevy 305) and a 275 out dirve. Hour meter said 102 hours and change.
The boat itself (other than some oxidation in places) looked great and the interior is near perfect and is setting on a decent trailer. (Trailer could use some paint.)
I was thinking, well if I could get it cheap enough I could drop another small block chevy in it. Talked to the dealer about it and he told me the previous owner had brought it in as a trade in and that there was something seriously wrong with the engine as it dumped all the engine oil in the bilge faster than you could pour it in the top of the engine. (In my head I was thinking busted block.)
He said they had not pulled it in the shop as its spring, his mechanics are working 10 hour days and they didn't have time and he did not want to invest anything in an older boat. Ok, so what would you take for it? He said $1,000 cash money. I left with the boat behind my truck.
I took it home and began looking around for a replacement engine but decided heck, it wouldn't cost me much to at least see what I could see with the existing engine. Filled with oil, hooked up the flusher and had a buddy fire the engine while I stuck my head in the bilge with a good light and mechanics mirror. About 3 seconds of run time was all I needed, the oil POURED out of it around the oil filter.
Folks, in all my years I have never seen an oil filter that was so tightly installed. I litteraly twisted the can getting it off. Got it off and half the o-ring was missing! Looked around carefully in the bilge and found the missing pieces.
Cleand up the mating surface, installed a new and correct filter (the filter the owner had installed was not the right one.) refilled the engine and fired it up. Not a drop of oil!!! The engine ran perfectly! Tossed in a new set of plugs, wires, dist. cap etc. and did a little tuning and it purrs.
Total investment, bout $1,100.
Fact, some people should NOT do their own maintenace and should let the shop do it. Oh well, his loss, my gain! Now all I need is for some decent weather, its been rainy all week...
