Spark Plug Bent

[interalian]

You'll get as much help here as you could want, except we can't put our hands on your motor - you need to be the hands. Do us a favour though - keep your build in one thread so we can follow easily.

 

[dahayes]

Will do! Thanks y'all!

 

[dahayes]

Racerone, This engine has the Variable Ratio Oiling system. I've never owned a boat with that option. Are they dependable? I've been reading a lot about the system and "most" people say to bypass it and just mix my oil manually. Do you have any experience with this system and if so, is it reliable? I'd rather keep it if it does what it's suppose to. They say there are alarms on it to let you know if it quits working, but I don't know where the alarms are. I have nothing on my dashboard stating that it's an alarm. I bought the boat used and the guy I got it from didn't know anything about it either. Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

The alarms are not visible -- they are audible alarms using the same buzzer that should sound when you turn the key on indicating the alarm is working.

 

[dahayes]

Thanks Silvertip. I've never heard an audible alarm or buzzer when turning the key. I guess I better get this checked out....

 

[dahayes]

Well guys, today I took the cover off the head and found the problem. Well, at least I can see what's going on. Still not sure what the root cause is. Attached are two pics. One of the head and one of the piston. Let's hear your opinions on what you think it is....

 

[interalian]

Definitely a broken ring. And as your water deflectors appear to be in perfect condition and location, not likely an overheat - number 3 or 4 hole least likely to be affected by overheat.

 

[dahayes]

Looking at a complete rebuild either way you look at it.

 

[racerone]

I do not have enuff fingers and toes to count how many times I have seen this on these crossflow motors.

 

[dahayes]

Racerone, Can you give me an estimate of what the cost will be to fix it?

 

[racerone]

4 new O/S piston kits.----Engine boring and honing to size ( I do that myself )-depends on local machine shop help.-----Gasket set.---Around a $1000 all in if you do the work yourself.-----Then in addition to that I recommend tear down of lower unit for inspection and reseal.------You do this before laying out the cash for parts.---Be a shame to rebuild the power head on a 30 year old motor and find out you had a worn lower unit as well.----Lower units can be very big $$ to fix.

 

[dahayes]

Thanks man! I was expecting it to be in the $1500 range. But it's gonna cost me more I guess since I don't have the stuff to do the work myself. I have a friend that buys blown engines and rebuilds them. He said he would do it but I don't know now much he's gonna charge me for his labor. He estimated the parts to be around $800.

 

[interalian]

You need to find a machine shop equipped to bore the block. Most automotive type places have hones that need to stroke through the open bottom of a bore and can't deal with the blind bore on these. Motorcycle shops are a good resource if you can't find a marine shop to do it.

 

[racerone]

What type of $ do you handle ?-----USA or some other place ?

 

[dahayes]

I'm in the good ole USA! Dalton, Ga. to be exact!

 

[jakedaawg]

I'm in the good ole USA! Dalton, Ga. to be exact!

Seems to me that there is or was a huge Marine scrap yard there. Might be able to repower for less.

 

[jakedaawg]

I bought an allison from a big place in Dalton many years ago.

 

[dahayes]

We only have two places here you can get parts from. Dalton Marine and Boats and Motors of Dalton. Dalton Marine specializes in Mercury parts and Boats and Motors specializes in Johnson/Evinrude.