I am contemplating buying a 1991 Cajun bass boat off my girlfriends dad. He bought the boat brand new and took it to the lake all of about a dozen times; the last time being about a decade ago. Since then it has been under a carport with a cover over it. The boat looks brand new and like it just came off the showroom floor. He estimates the engine having under 100 hours on it.
I called two mechanics around the Dallas, Texas area and got an estimate of about $750 to change the waterpump and do a carburetor/fuel pump rebuild. I believe they both also metioned changing the oil/grease in the lower unit. After I did a little research on this site and ebay, I have realized two things:
1 - These engines are supposed to be very easy to work.
2 - I can get a new waterpump AND rebuilt/new carburetor for around 200.
I absolutely love working on cars/trucks, but this would be my first venture into boat engines. I will also note I owned a '52 Ford 8N tractor at the age of 14 and did a lot of the work there myself.
So, my question is this... For the sake of saving 500+, is it safe to say I could get this boat running by changing out the lower unit oil, install a new waterpump/carburetor, clean out the gas tank, and replace the fuel lines/filter? Am I missing anything in this list?
Thanks so much in advance. The lake is my happy place and I can't wait to get out there this year. With all the rain we have gotten, there's actually some water in the lakes!
I called two mechanics around the Dallas, Texas area and got an estimate of about $750 to change the waterpump and do a carburetor/fuel pump rebuild. I believe they both also metioned changing the oil/grease in the lower unit. After I did a little research on this site and ebay, I have realized two things:
1 - These engines are supposed to be very easy to work.
2 - I can get a new waterpump AND rebuilt/new carburetor for around 200.
I absolutely love working on cars/trucks, but this would be my first venture into boat engines. I will also note I owned a '52 Ford 8N tractor at the age of 14 and did a lot of the work there myself.
So, my question is this... For the sake of saving 500+, is it safe to say I could get this boat running by changing out the lower unit oil, install a new waterpump/carburetor, clean out the gas tank, and replace the fuel lines/filter? Am I missing anything in this list?
Thanks so much in advance. The lake is my happy place and I can't wait to get out there this year. With all the rain we have gotten, there's actually some water in the lakes!