Hiliner Engine

[redsoxvw]

Ok I am purchasing and restoring an older hiliner sportsman 222 I believe it is a 1975 haven't picked up the title yet, The motor is said to be a 302, its been sitting out of the water for four years, and is pretty rusted up, I have some pics Ill post as well, just want some info on where to start.....Oh ya I am mechanically inclined and have no prob turning wrenches, built a couple of 500hp mustangs just new to the whole boat scene.......I have heard nothing but good things about these hiliners (Ray Hunt design).......and the price was so low I couldn't refuse...... Ok guys where would you start???? Oh ya great forum and lots of knowledge on here.......thanks in advance Eric

 

[180shabah]

Re: Hiliner Engine

I think I would want to know just how much you have to work with.
Pull the plugs and spray plenty of deep creep in there, and let it soak for a couple of days.
Do an oil change(cheap store brand is fine)
Prelube the engine(not sure about fords, but you can get an adapter for chevy's and remove the distributor and spin the oil pump with your drill)
See if the engine will turn by hand, if it will then go ahead and do a compression test. The results won't be 100% accurate, but you will get an idea of how things are internally.
Get an outboard gas tank and try to run this thing, you never know, you may get lucky.

A few other things:
What drive is behind that engine? Merc or Volvo you'll be fine, OMC you might get luck, but be prepared to spend some money when you find the parts.
What is the fuel tank made of?? No matter what it is made of, at the very least it will need to be drained and cleaned out. However, if it is a fiberglass tank it will need to be replaced. Ethanol in todays gas will disolve the resins in the tank. First, you get all kind of fuel system problems, and eventually the tank leaks creating a HUGE explosion hazzard.

Good luck

 

[redsoxvw]

Re: Hiliner Engine

The outdrive is a VOLVO......It was running and in the water 4 years ago....Ive seen the videos LOL.......(im buying from a guy at work)....The problem is the kid took it out of the water 4 years ago and moved away and it just sits, he didn't exactly button everything up to good, hence the rusty engine, the boat is solid no soft spots at all hull is in good shape, I had a guy from a boat shop check it out......My problem is I don't know much about inboards, Ive seen worse motors than that fire up after a proper lube and penetration session (go easy on the comments on that one LOL) I am soaking the cylinders as we speak, The gas tank is aluminum, shabah I'm interested in this prelube adaptor?????? Oh ya I don't mind spending a few bucks, as I bought this for $500 with trailer, winch, fish finder, GPS and some other equipment...Im told locally thats a steal for this boat..... thanks for the input looking forward to learning more

 

[Don S]

Re: Hiliner Engine

Since it's a Volvo, that means it's an AQ190 engine with an 280 outdrive.
Can tell by your photo that the distributor is automotive (not good), the exhaust looks like there is a problem because of the angle of the hose coming off the risers. The hoses need to be staight with the risers.
They are also the wrong type manifolds which explains the hose problem.
But neither of those things will cause problem to check if it will run.
I see very few Ford here, not sure if you can prime the oil system as 180 was mentioning, but it would be nice if you could. Then make sure it turns over, and see if it will start. Will probably have to file the points to get spark because they will be glazed over. You could replace them, but why, it's not the right kind of distributor. You may also have to squirt some gas in the carb with an old mustard bottle to get it started, after 4 years the carb is probably all plugged up.
If it does start and fire and you can run it for a few seconds, then do a compression test. I could see some valves and rings sticking for a bit after 4 years and may take several tries.
The 280 drives are great drives, but do replace that ujoint bellows before you ever think about going to the water, and make sure the ujoints aren't all rusty because of water that was already there.
Also check the gear lube for water (or should I say rusty water). It should have regular ole engine oil in it, not some gear lube.

Just a few thoughts to start you off.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Hiliner Engine

DANG!! I don't know how I missed that Big 'Ol vacuum advance.

 

[redsoxvw]

Re: Hiliner Engine

Ya I know, Im new to this but a few auto things i picked off right away, I might just pull the motor and go threw it all........I want to be safe and not run into any problems out on the water, anyone have a good source for parts for this engine???Oh thanks for the info Don......

 

[Coors]

Re: Hiliner Engine

Everything is so rusted, you will probably break half of it, trying to work on it...

 

[redsoxvw]

Re: Hiliner Engine

Ok one more thing, what am i limited to as far as engines for that aq280?? would any marine 302 work with that aq280???Thanks again..

 

[Don S]

Re: Hiliner Engine

An oil pump primer is used to operate the oil pump and build oil pressure without turning the crankshaft. It's usefull to get oil on all the bearings on new engines and ones that have set for years.
Basically, you remove the distributor, insert the tool into the oil pump, hook a drill to it and run the drill. You can also hook up a mechancial oil pressure gauge to see what the oil pressure is.
Here is one of the tools on ebay
Oil Priming Tool

 

[Don S]

Re: Hiliner Engine

I see we are posting about the same time.
The drive will be fine with the 302 or even a 351. One member is putting a 454 on his drive. Volvo used to run 4 and 6 cylinder diesels on them.

 

[redsoxvw]

Re: Hiliner Engine

Great Instead of messing with this engine I have a line on a mercruiser 888 302, so That should be able to work right? It was rebuilt last year and the guy wants $400 for it.....it looks pretty descent......Thanks again for the help

 

[Don S]

Re: Hiliner Engine

That'll work, you will have to change the flywheel cover and replace the coupler with the flex plate, but that's easy enough to do. The Merc exhaust might even line up better than what you have there.

 

[redsoxvw]

Re: Hiliner Engine

Thanks alot guys I appreciate all the help, I'm sure ill have a million questions LOL, Ill put up some picks once i get wrenching.....oh ya any good sources for parts??? Im looking forward to this and am very eager to learn new stuff......Thanks again for the info don S