First boat engine pointers

Greetings...

A couple weeks back I acquired a 1974 Browning Monte Carlo with a 165hp inline 6. My dad had purchased this boat about 3 years ago and did absolutely nothing with it, so he gave it to me. My question is this, I would like to possibly get this boat on a lake this season - what sort of recommendations do you have as to what I should do with the engine/sterndrive prior to attempting to start or run it. My dad did state that when he bought it they had dry started it with a garden hose and it did fire up with a new battery. I have a few things in my mind as to PM things like changing fluids, filters, etc, but this is my first time dealing with any boat and I have a sneaking suspicion that its not quite the same as working on my truck. I may not know much, but I am not afraid to get me hands dirty and dive into a new project... afterall, is there any better way to learn?

I did a quick glance and search for similar threads but didnt find much. I intend on diving into some of these threads more thoroughly as time permits, as well as starting another thread in the restoration section of the forum with pictures, etc. I have quite a bit of cosmetics to do to this boat, but I want to make sure it runs before I pour cash into it.

Thanks for the look,
Brandon.

Re: First boat engine pointers

Check/replace tune-up items as needed...Plugs(.035)/wires/points(just replace 'em)/check the vacuum(9/16 brass fitting on top of the manifold..just aft of the carb). Replace the fuel filter found on the fuel pump(paper cartridge)

When you replace the points and get the dwell set...THEN check/adjust the timing(8degBTDC/between 27-32deg dwell)

Pull the stern drive...check the bellows for cracks/tears. Grease the U-joints, replace the impleller and/or housing and associated gaskets. Pressure test, refill with oil and re-install.

These I6's are very reliable motors if properly cared for...

Sounds like alot...but you'll have the peace of mind that it was all done right.

Oh...and buy/download a manual. I found an original Merc manual on E-bay for about $15...worth it's weight in gold!

Good luck...plenty of people here with the same motor with great advice if needed.

Re: First boat engine pointers

Welcome aboard... visit the "adults only" sticky at the top of this forum for answers to many of the questions you have. Someone will also provide you with a link for your drive's and engine's manual free online. Please provide the serial numbers for your drive and engine. Best of luck and hope you can get it splashed this season.

Re: First boat engine pointers

Thanks for the quick replies guys! It has been a busy week for me and I have not been able to do anything with the boat yet.

***
Thanks ktbarrentine for the "Adults only" link. I had passed it by at quick glance and kinda chuckled. I will delve some more into there as time allows. As quoted... I hope to get it splashed yet this summer/fall too!

Thanks Oshkosh1 for the pointers. I figured on new plugs, wires and filters... never would've thought about the vacuum. As for pulling the stern-drive I am going to be a little naive here and say that sounds like a lot of work, but really isn't too hard? No patience required... haha. I have a friend that is a books dealer that is tracking me down a paper copy of the Seloc manual for it - I like having something tangible in my hands to read. I have youtube'd a few videos of the same type motor running... purrs like a kitten. My dad just has a hard time believing it is a GM block (He is a Ford guy).
***

I am willing to post pictures as I go of what I do to get this baby water ready, if anyone would find this helpful or interesting. Let me know.

Re: First boat engine pointers

Welcome to iBoats, you will find this forum to be an awesome amount of knowledge and experience that you can draw from to get your boat up to par. As for the manual, you can go here http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html and plug in the info for your motor and drive and find the correct manuals for your maintenance needs. I just went through the same process on my '87 Chaparral and mercruiser I/O. The manuals as well as the inputs from the members on the forum will get you where you need to be. Happy Boating. Also OshKosh hit it on the head with what you need to accomplish prior to even attempting to get on the water. Knowing that all those things were done and done correctly will give you greater piece of mind when you finally get to splash her.

Re: First boat engine pointers

brandon23 said:

the Seloc manual

Click to expand...

Edit that to read "the $#@!& manual"...Buy...or better yet click this...http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser2.html#/0 to help you out.

Re: First boat engine pointers

Oshkosh1 said:

Edit that to read "the $#@!& manual"...Buy...or better yet click this...http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser2.html#/0 to help you out.

Click to expand...

+1.... If you do a simple thread search on "seloc" you see more negatives than positives about that waste of $$!! (In fact, I didnt see any positives!). Just sayin'....

Re: First boat engine pointers

The seloc manual is great for keeping your knee dry when the ground is wet! I would suggest fogging the cylinders/valves if it has not been started in 3 years.oil it up, let it sit for at least a few hours. Just in case there is a light rust film. Rust is super abrasive, and that little bit of oil could save you a lot.

Re: First boat engine pointers

Just purchased an 18' 1982 Century with a Mercruiser 228. New to owning a boat, and this thread has been very helpful! Thank you for the link to the service manual, what a godsend! I learned more about my boat from this site than I could ever imagine.

Re: First boat engine pointers

brandon23 said:

Thanks for the quick replies guys! It has been a busy week for me and I have not been able to do anything with the boat yet.

***
Thanks ktbarrentine for the "Adults only" link. I had passed it by at quick glance and kinda chuckled. I will delve some more into there as time allows. As quoted... I hope to get it splashed yet this summer/fall too!

Thanks Oshkosh1 for the pointers. I figured on new plugs, wires and filters... never would've thought about the vacuum. As for pulling the stern-drive I am going to be a little naive here and say that sounds like a lot of work, but really isn't too hard? No patience required... haha. I have a friend that is a books dealer that is tracking me down a paper copy of the Seloc manual for it - I like having something tangible in my hands to read. I have youtube'd a few videos of the same type motor running... purrs like a kitten. My dad just has a hard time believing it is a GM block (He is a Ford guy).
***

I am willing to post pictures as I go of what I do to get this baby water ready, if anyone would find this helpful or interesting. Let me know.

Click to expand...

Here is a video of pulling the drive by Achris... a member on here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3O63YTOhn8&feature=youtu.be

Of coarse... He has been keeping up with maintenance on his every year so it slides right off.