I need help with a 58 super thunderbolt iekhaefer!

[merkinstine]

So I came across an old fiberglass boat with the mark 58 super thunderbolt bolt on it, the starter works but I can't get the cowling off. Can anybody here help me with this old dinosaur? My first question would be how do I open up the motor? And does anyone know what type of boat this is? Any help would be much appreciated! I feel like this thing is a dimond in the rough.

 

[ejnichol]

If its like later version you turn that knob on bow facing panel of cowling. That should come off. Underneath will be two compression type turnbuckles that you pull out and then unhook from the clamshell wraparound part.

It may be different considering its age but the early 70's model looked similar and operated that way. I don't see a seam between the front panel with knob and the curved handle part so it must be different. Good Luck.

You have a real classic there.

 

[racerone]

Unscrew that round knob on the front.

 

[jimmbo]

The motor is either a 1958 or 59, depending if it is a 58 or 58A
You can search through the various brands of Boats shown on this site....

Classic Boat Library

www.fiberglassics.com

Here is a link for some service info on the Motor on that site too

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/images/b/bc/Mercuryservice004.pdf

 

[merkinstine]

Unscrew that round knob on the front.

The one that looks like a fan?

 

[merkinstine]

The motor is either a 1958 or 59, depending if it is a 58 or 58A
You can search through the various brands of Boats shown on this site....

Classic Boat Library

www.fiberglassics.com

Here is a link for some service info on the Motor on that site too

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/images/b/bc/Mercuryservice004.pdf

 

[merkinstine]

These are the only markings I have found, how would I know what model it is? And thank you for answering, im trying to get this thing on the water this season. It might be ambitious but I hooked a battery up to it and it turns over. Now I just have to figure out where to get pure gas at and whether or not it's a 2 stroke. If anyone knows it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jimmbo]

The one that looks like a fan?

Yes. It will need to be pushed in, then rotated 90 degrees

 

[merkinstine]

So I came across an old fiberglass boat with the mark 58 super thunderbolt bolt on it, the starter works but I can't get the cowling off. Can anybody here help me with this old dinosaur? My first question would be how do I open up the motor? And does anyone know what type of boat this is? Any help would be much appreciated! I feel like this thing is a dimond in the rough.

When I got the boat I was told by the wife of the man that ownd it that he had rebuilt it in the fall of 1997 then his health took a turn for the worst. It has sat in the barn since yesterday when I got it out. Would I still need to rebuild it after sitting in a barn for 26 years? I bought a new full line with filter and a fuel tank. If anyone else knows what I should do I'd be greatful.

 

[merkinstine]

Yes. It will need to be pushed in, then rotated 90 degrees

It seems pretty stuck, I might have to go and get some wd 40

 

[jimmbo]

These are the only markings I have found, how would I know what model it is? And thank you for answering, im trying to get this thing on the water this season. It might be ambitious but I hooked a battery up to it and it turns over. Now I just have to figure out where to get pure gas at and whether or not it's a 2 stroke. If anyone knows it would be greatly appreciated!

Yes it is a 2 stroke, so oil has to be mixed in the Gas.
Pure Gas? Do you mean Gas without that Nonsense Alcohol in it?
You need to check a few things on it before you try running it.
Once you get the Cover off, check the Wiring. Odds are that all the Insulation has cracked/fallen off(Merc bought some real crappy wire, and must have bought enough to go to the Moon and back several times)
The Water Pump Impeller certainly needs replacing, as entire Water Pump might also.
The Fuel System likely needs a thorough going over. Fuel Pumps will likely need rebuilding as so will the Carbs.
Ignition will likely also need some TLC
Check to see if there is any oil and or water in the Gearcase.

The Gas-Oil ratio was 20:1 back in the Day, but Mercs from that era are all anti-friction bearing design, can can use TCW-3 at 50:1, but some will argue to use 24:1

 

[jimmbo]

When I got the boat I was told by the wife of the man that ownd it that he had rebuilt it in the fall of 1997 then his health took a turn for the worst. It has sat in the barn since yesterday when I got it out. Would I still need to rebuild it after sitting in a barn for 26 years? I bought a new full line with filter and a fuel tank. If anyone else knows what I should do I'd be greatful.

Fall of 97. Well that was 26 yrs ago. Can the engine be rotated by hand?
My main Concern would be the condition of the Crankshaft and Connecting Rod Bearings, having sat that long. Unfortunately the Only Way to inspect them is to split the Crankcase.

 

[merkinstine]

The motor is either a 1958 or 59, depending if it is a 58 or 58A
You can search through the various brands of Boats shown on this site....

Classic Boat Library

www.fiberglassics.com

Here is a link for some service info on the Motor on that site too

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/images/b/bc/Mercuryservice004.pdf

Thanks alot for the links, I have what I was told the first allison speed boat, my brother's father inlaw said he worked with the guy who founded allison or something of the sorts. Either way he sold me it and I never found anything on it. It's a 16' and now I know what motor is supposed to be on it, I put an old evenrude big twin I belive.

 

[merkinstine]

Fall of 97. Well that was 26 yrs ago. Can the engine be rotated by hand?
My main Concern would be the condition of the Crankshaft and Connecting Rod Bearings, having sat that long. Unfortunately the Only Way to inspect them is to split the Crankcase.

I hooked up a battery and it turned over, I also pulled the cord a few times to see if it would turn. It spins really easy for a four cylinder.

 

[merkinstine]

I hooked up a battery and it turned over, I also pulled the cord a few times to see if it would turn. It spins really easy for a four cylinder.

I'm going to go and get some pb blaster and wd 40 tomorrow soon as walmart opens. Have you ever seen one of those evenrude out boards I posted pics of? It runs, I just got a new pressurized tank for it day before yesterday. I put a little fuel and oil in it to see if it would crank in my trashcan full of water, it ran very good. I have no idea what it is though, the serial number don't match anything I can find.

 

[jimmbo]

I hooked up a battery and it turned over, I also pulled the cord a few times to see if it would turn. It spins really easy for a four cylinder.

They use 4 small Cylinders, not difficult to Rope Start. Even the 6s were easy to pull start. I used to rope start my 84 115(it had bigger Pistons and a longer Stroke) all the time cause I was too cheap to buy a new Battery. On a cold engine it took only 2 or 3 pulls to get it running.

 

[jimmbo]

I'm going to go and get some pb blaster and wd 40 tomorrow soon as walmart opens. Have you ever seen one of those evenrude out boards I posted pics of? It runs, I just got a new pressurized tank for it day before yesterday. I put a little fuel and oil in it to see if it would crank in my trashcan full of water, it ran very good. I have no idea what it is though, the serial number don't match anything I can find.

It is likely a 1955 through 58 model
55 25hp
56 30hp
57 an 58 35hp

My dad had a 1957 35hp Electric Start.

What is the model #

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/images/a/a7/Evinrudeservice002.pdf

 

[merkinstine]

Rats nest or insulation? What's you guys opinion? And a big shout out to Jimbo for helping me get the cowling off!

 

[jimmbo]

Rats nest or insulation? What's you guys opinion? And a big shout out to Jimbo for helping me get the cowling off!

Mercury did use an Insulator Blanket inside the Cowl Wrap on a lot of motors. All the ones I ever saw were inside a Plastic Envelope. Of course over time, Plastic degrades and the material inside will come out.
Any Pics?

 

[flashback]

Not any help here but you have a nice project ahead of you..!