5.0xl/V8 mer. Where do I start?

[jacshep]

Hi, I know nothing about marine engines at all. But I saw a maxum 18 ft 1990 boat on Craigslist today for 700 bucks and I thought ...why not give an offer. The man said it came from a couple and her husband had died so she sold it to him. He told me he took it to a mechanic 3 years ago and they told him it needed an impeller and a battery. He said the mechanic was able to get it started at that time. I offered 400 and now it's mine. I connected a battery to it and this is what I know so far. Trim works just fine, steering seems to work. ( The cassette player does as well and I found a nice Rush cassette in there). I checked the oil. Of course was dirty but nothing out of the ordinary from what I know. Everything looks crazy hard to get to right off the git. I have no clue where to go from here to even know if I should proceed. Somebody told me not to try to crank it at all until I have a muff for it so I have not tried. Gage said the gas was empty ( thank God) but could be wrong. I'm on a supper budget... obviously the reason I have a 400 dollar boat. Any guidance?

 

[nola mike]

No budget + no knowledge isn't a good combo in the Marine world. No such thing as a bargain $400 boat.
That said, first priority is seeing if your boat is rotted. Second is seeing if your engine has freeze damage. If neither of the above, it may be worth fixing. If not you'll need a bigger budget and a desire to learn...

 

[jacshep]

No budget + no knowledge isn't a good combo in the Marine world. No such thing as a bargain $400 boat.
That said, first priority is seeing if your boat is rotted. Second is seeing if your engine has freeze damage. If neither of the above, it may be worth fixing. If not you'll need a bigger budget and a desire to learn...

I'm here to learn. If I find it's not worth it early would be a great help. The body of the craft as far as I can see is solid. The wood work is hit and miss. I don't care about pretty. And does it have freeze damage? I don't know,? As for a desire to learn. I've got that.

 

[jacshep]

I'm here to learn. If I find it's not worth it early would be a great help. The body of the craft as far as I can see is solid. The wood work is hit and miss. I don't care about pretty. And does it have freeze damage? I don't know,? As for a desire to learn. I've got that.

Show me the way

 

[alldodge]

Welcome

Remove the fuel filter and dump contents into a clear container. The gas should be clear and smell like gas. My guess is the gas will be bad and needs to be pump out and disposed of. If gas is bad use a gas can and connect hose from it to fuel filter. Do replace the fuel filter

Get muffs and attach garden hose to the outdrive.
Lower the outdrive all the way down, if unable to get full down get it as low as possible

Turn water on and try to start

 

[jacshep]

Welcome

Remove the fuel filter and dump contents into a clear container. The gas should be clear and smell like gas. My guess is the gas will be bad and needs to be pump out and disposed of. If gas is bad use a gas can and connect hose from it to fuel filter. Do replace the fuel filter

Get muffs and attach garden hose to the outdrive.
Lower the outdrive all the way down, if unable to get full down get it as low as possible

Turn water on and try to start

Thank you, that's the first step I'll take on this then

 

[jacshep]

Ok I drained the fuel and changed out the filter. I only put about a gallon of fresh gas back in the tank. The solenoid I think is bad but this is a video of what I'm getting with and without starter fluid. Any ideas?

 

[alldodge]

Do you see fuel squirt down throat of carb when it's pumped?

Might need to fill the filter to help get all the air out

 

[jacshep]

Do you see fuel squirt down throat of carb when it's pumped?

Might need to fill the filter to help get all the air out

No fuel comes into the carb that I can see at all. I'll add more gas into the filter but was near full when I installed it.

 

[alldodge]

Your serial number shows a mechanical fuel pump, so if it's not pumping then need to get another one

 

[flashback]

You mentioned that the body of the craft looks good as far as you can see. The problem with boats is most don't see far enough. Before you dump a bunch of coins into the motor be sure to look far enough to actually see the structure of the hull.

 

[jacshep]

Your serial number shows a mechanical fuel pump, so if it's not pumping then need to get another one

I believe your into something with the fuel pump. I really really hated how hard it was to get to but looks like you got a BINGO lol. I'll see if I can't find this on Amazon and start pestering you guys again once I receive it. Thanks for the help this far!

 

[Scott06]

I believe your into something with the fuel pump. I really really hated how hard it was to get to but looks like you got a BINGO lol. I'll see if I can't find this on Amazon and start pestering you guys again once I receive it. Thanks for the help this far!

You can dump a little gas down carb it should fire briefly if you are only missing fuel

 

[jacshep]

You can dump a little gas down carb it should fire briefly if you are only missing fuel

With the starter fluid it runs for a couple of seconds with no issue. I'm pretty excited to get the pump because I think once it gets gas it's gonna run, but I guess time well tell.

 

[crazy charlie]

Ok I drained the fuel and changed out the filter. I only put about a gallon of fresh gas back in the tank. The solenoid I think is bad but this is a video of what I'm getting with and without starter fluid. Any ideas?

Well a very good sign is that it DID start for a few seconds with the starting fluid.Get your fuel pump installed ,fill the fuelfilter to the brim, engage the shifter into neutral and pump it several times before cranking .If you are too anxious to wait for the fuel pump, have someone continue the spray into the carb to see if it continues to run.It likely will continue to run. So far so good.Charlie

 

[dubs283]

Ditch the starting fluid and use gasoline to prime/pop off the engine.

Fill the filter full and reinstall. Add another 5 gallons of gasoline to the tank. Prime the carb bowl through the vent and attempt to start once the new pump is in place

Not a bad idea to inspect the fuel pickup and anti siphon valve and replace the fuel supply, tank vent and fill lines either, most likely all original

 

[crazy charlie]

Well a very good sign is that it DID start for a few seconds with the starting fluid.Get your fuel pump installed ,fill the fuelfilter to the brim, engage the shifter into neutral and pump it several times before cranking .If you are too anxious to wait for the fuel pump, have someone continue the spray into the carb to see if it continues to run.It likely will continue to run. So far so good.Charlie

BTW when using starting fluid or introducing gas into the carb manually, ALWAYS have a wet towel on hand within your grasp in case of a flare up.Charlie

 

[jacshep]

Your serial number shows a mechanical fuel pump, so if it's not pumping then need to get another one

Would you happen to know where I can find the specific manual for this engine? I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I will install the fuel pump tomorrow and if it runs I won't run it more than a minute at a time because seller did say it needs an impeller change. I have the impeller coming in the mail the next day. If the engine runs I'll replace the impeller. If all of that goes to plan...Can I put it in gear on muffs? To see if forward reverse work? I've heard you can't. I don't want to really put it in the water if I can't move to test it. I also have bought a riser gasket if all goes well to check the risers and manifold at a later date. Of course none of this matters if it won't start but I'm hoping for the best. I'm in the boat for about 500 bucks total with the parts ordered. Last thing, I noticed the flexible pipe that goes to the drive on the back of the boat has popped off. It was only connected by a clamp so I put it back on. If it pops off while it's in the water what will happen. I got it back on but it looks like it could come off when I lift the trim.

 

[alldodge]

Can I put it in gear on muffs? To see if forward reverse work?

Yes, no problem at all

 

[nola mike]

Would you happen to know where I can find the specific manual for this engine? I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I will install the fuel pump tomorrow and if it runs I won't run it more than a minute at a time because seller did say it needs an impeller change. I have the impeller coming in the mail the next day. If the engine runs I'll replace the impeller. If all of that goes to plan...Can I put it in gear on muffs? To see if forward reverse work? I've heard you can't. I don't want to really put it in the water if I can't move to test it. I also have bought a riser gasket if all goes well to check the risers and manifold at a later date. Of course none of this matters if it won't start but I'm hoping for the best. I'm in the boat for about 500 bucks total with the parts ordered. Last thing, I noticed the flexible pipe that goes to the drive on the back of the boat has popped off. It was only connected by a clamp so I put it back on. If it pops off while it's in the water what will happen. I got it back on but it looks like it could come off when I lift the trim.

Don't know the manual without the s/n. #24 maybe?
Depending on which boot pops off either nothing will happen or the boat will sink. I'd still be checking for rot before wasting time on the mechanicals.