looking for help and info before i buy

[idahodrifter2002]

i am looking at an older (possibly mid to late 70's) chrysler striper boat with a chrysler 75 HP motor attached and 70 HP chrysler thrown in. the extra motor is partially dis-assembled, the mounted motor cranks, has decent compression(as indicated by my brother's finger over the plug hole test), but does not fire. when cranking, water drips from the starter and smoke puffs out of the starter. if i purchase this boat and motors, i am interested in at least getting one of them running. my question for you guys is, how available are parts for these older motors? these motors are both 3 cyl, 3 carb models. thank you guys

 

[notsunkyet]

Re: looking for help and info before i buy

sounds like a
serious project your about to jump into..... but the guy you need to hear from is frank acampora.... hand down the guru on the old stuff...

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: looking for help and info before i buy

I'm not Frank but I'll try.
The finger comp test is not gonna give any good results.
Even a cylinder with 20# of comp will blow your finger off the hole.
Check comp with a screw in tester.Post the results
Water dripping from the starter? Another new one on me!!
Take it apart? Does the other motor have the same starter?
They sell rebuild kits for under $20
Swap them around.

The parts are still available for the Chryslers/Forces.
They are a basic,easy motor to work on(even rebuild).
They are a bit harder on gas but you don't have to worry about computers, fuel injection etc.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: looking for help and info before i buy

Without seeing the engines and having more info, it is difficult. HOWEVER: If both are from the same approximated time frame, that is, if both are one piece lower units or both are two piece lower units, almost everything will swap between them.

While, as jerry says, even 20 PSI will blow your finger off the plug hole. serious damage will usually result in zero PSI compression, so yes, you can tell something with this simple test. It does indicate that you have an engine that should eventually start.

Parts? You may need to do a little searching but they are out there.

Post a couple of photos.

 

[idahodrifter2002]

Re: looking for help and info before i buy

thanks for the info guys. the motors are both the same, except that one is a 70 hp and one is a 75 hp. i will admit to knowing more about diesel engines than gas, but judging from preliminary tests, i think the engine will run, it just needs some help. the previous owner had some friends helping him try to get it running, he has no clue if the spark plug wires are even on in the correct firing order. as far as the water dripping from the starter, it seems like the cowl was left of during a rain storm and water got inside the starter and drips out when cranking. i have already assumed that would need to be either rebuilt or replaced. i guess the biggest question i have is this, if i buy these engines, are parts readily available, or will i be looking on the internet for weeks just to find one part? to put it in car guy terms, is it like trying to fix up an old chevy or an old nash? thank you guys for the help, i have already found some good info just reading other posts on this site!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: looking for help and info before i buy

( i guess the biggest question i have is this, if i buy these engines, are parts readily available, or will i be looking on the internet for weeks just to find one part?) Read my post.
The parts are still available for the Chryslers/Forces.
They are a basic,easy motor to work on(even rebuild).

 

[idahodrifter2002]

Re: looking for help and info before i buy

jerry and frank, thank you for the advice. as soon as i sell the old boat that i have, i am going to pick up the boat and two motors. i will be posting pics of the motors and probably asking advice on good sites to find parts ( i see boats . net is strongly recommended against!).