Re: New to Forums -> New to boating -> Old hat at restoration, just not boats
Welcome to the Iboats restoration forum, fiberglass division, SS Wedgie...
I would like to come aboard and see a distant cousin of my boat go through some rehab...
At the end of my post, where my signature is, you'll see a link to my current and ongoing for 3 years, restoration of my 1988 Glasstream Bass Boat...
In the early pictures of my thread you'll see a striking resemblance to your craft...
I tried to document as well as possible every major step I have taken so far, and while quite long and drawn out, most of what you will be facing is documented in my thread...
You can get some shortcuts to specific milestones by looking at the Index links...
Very happy to see your gung ho attitude and that you have several options to help you out along the way...
Feel free to PM me or post in my thread, if there is anything I can help clear up for you as you wend your way through this exciting, yet daunting task that lays ahead of you.
It is a fairly steep learning curve, but it ain't no rocket science, so with a bit of perseverance and an open mind, you'll get the hang of all this forum and boating mumbo jumbo...
For all of your engine related questions start a thread in the Mercury section of the forum...Here...
Mercury & Mariner Outboards
To get you started, the first things you with have to do to check whether or not the engine is a viable candidate for bringing back to life are as follows:
1-Remove the top cowling cover and try to turn the flywheel by hand, you may need some leverage, and removing the spark plugs will definitely help...also, take a look into the cylinders with a light and assess if any of the pistons look melted, burned or have a hole in them...
2-If it turns freely and you don't hear any strange noises, with the plugs removed, then you can think about spending some money to try the next few steps...
3-Beg, Borrow, Steal?[nah, don't do that], or buy on Craigslist or ebay a known/guaranteed starter
4- Install starter.
5-Get a good fully charged battery and hook it up...
6- run a compression check on the engine...if that all looks good, then...
7- check for a good hot spark...
If you get that far, the engine gurus in the Mercury forum will guide from there...
Later on you can start your search for a lower unit...
Oh and BTW, that engine size is probably one of the most popular sizes for these bass boats, they were rated to 150HP, but keep in mind, back then that was a rating at the crankshaft, not the prop, like they are rated today...so realistically a solid 115HP engine from that era is actually only putting about 90-100 HP to the prop.
Still plenty of go power, but keep in mind that these bass boats are relatively heavy for their size...
Hey I'm running out of wind, so for now...
Best of luck and most of all, Have Fun!
Gus