Ok guys...edumacate this woman please.....

[VirginBoater2]

Pulling at my heart strings...beautifully restored 1964 Glasspar Avalon ‘16 for sale. But he states,

“1966 40HP outboard engine ran well last fall, but over the winter it developed a rough idle and now sometimes stalls. It starts right up and runs well for a while then develops its issues. Possibly carburetor?”

i am a first time boat buyer. What do I do at this point???????????

 

[jimmbo]

Which 40 do you have? There was a Manual Start, An Electric Start with Mechanical Shift, and an Electric Start with Electric Shift

How long is a while? Did the engine get used during the Winter? That is what I think when I read the 2nd paragraph? Or was it stored and now in the Spring, is running Rough?

Could be fuel related. Carb set too Rich, High Float level, Carb fully closed at idle? Incorrect Carb-TIming Sync.The 40hpp of that Era had an Automatic Choke, is it opening fully as the Engine Warms up?
It might be starving for Fuel due to Dirt/Gum/Varnish in the carb, it sat out the winter and wasn't properly Preppped for Storage
Could also be other things. Are the Plugs Fouled? Can the Spark Jump a 7/16" gap? Points and Condenser and Coils,? Wires, both low tension and High Tension, good condition? Another potential issue, on older engines is the Upper Crankshaft Seal

You are mixing TCW-3 Oil to the Gas at a 50:1 ratio?

Anytime someone buys a Used engine, it is recommended that an Inspection of the Water Pump be performed and at least a new Impeller be installed.
Also check for signs of Water in the gearcase

 

[F_R]

Like I told my grandson, any time you buy a used car (or boat) you should automatically assume there is something wrong with it. Then it becomes your job to figure out what that something is, and can you deal with it? Buyer beware. It's "AS IS" unless a written warranty.

 

[Scott Danforth]

i am a first time boat buyer. What do I do at this point???????????

you find a better boat with a running motor for your first boat. I also suggest an aluminum boat over a fiberglass boat for a first boat.

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome: to iBoats . . .

Tell us a bit more about this 56 year old boat and 54 year old engine that are for sale. When restored ? Condition now? Price ? :noidea:

Here is my quick version of boat owner edumacation . . .

> Everyone's engine ran great last Fall

> The engines also run great in the driveway

> Boats need constant fixing. . . constantly :facepalm:

> "New floor" means . . . I covered up a structural rotting mess below. (in case you come across those comments in your boat search).

> There is more, but that will suffice for now . . .

As far as the boat in question . . . an engine running rough and stalling is not the end of the world. However, as an owner of such a thing, you will need to fix it. So, it is a matter of either knowing how to fix things or being life dependent on boat mechanics and the associated cost, waiting times, etc.

You need to figure out which camp you are in . . . the fixer . . . or . . . the dependent.

As a new boater/boat owner, tell us a bit more about your boating knowledge or what you want to get out of boating.

FWIW - I run a high concentration of carburetor/fuel injector cleaner through all of my outboards and other boat engines as part of the pre-season maintenance work, just to remedy any issues of old fuel 'gumming' up the works. Not saying that is the case with this engine, but it would be the first thing I'd try.

Additionally, as a seller, I would get the boat/engine running properly. It is hard to predict the source of an engine problem until you actually find/fix the problem.

 

[gm280]

There is ALWAYS something wrong with a used boat...period! If you think you are up to the Sherlock Homes investigating efforts, go for it. But you will certainly find something wrong with every used boat. It is what it is! Nobody sells a perfectly running and solid hull boat just because. And the lower the price, the bigger problem(s) will be found. JMHO

 

[racerone]

Depends on what you want the boat for.----For daily " it has to start user "-or something that " pass time / work on / meet new friends with .----I am working on a boat now that $$$ wise / time wise is a foolish project.-----But 20 years from now someone might say " grand pa rebuilt this thing " and it will never break.----Using composite materials , carbon fiber , Kevlar.----No plywood in it to rot !!----So this 1964 boat with a simple 1966 model 40 HP might just be ideal for some folks.------I also have a 1960 or so ---Leavens boat ( large fins ) that will have a low hours 1966 model 65 HP mercury on it.----All because I want to have something built the way they used to !!----But if you have to run to the boat shop for every little hiccup then you need new stuff with warranty.

 

[havoc_squad]

Pulling at my heart strings...beautifully restored 1964 Glasspar Avalon ‘16 for sale. But he states,

“1966 40HP outboard engine ran well last fall, but over the winter it developed a rough idle and now sometimes stalls. It starts right up and runs well for a while then develops its issues. Possibly carburetor?”

i am a first time boat buyer. What do I do at this point???????????

Referencing a 1960's boat and motor, that is almost a death blow right there. Sourcing any of the parts for the boat hull itself might be very pricey and hard to do. Fixtures even on 1990's boats often are few and hard to find for many manufacturers.

Parts availability for that old of a motor will be extremely limited if there is any at all, and lack of knowledgeable people to service it with the correct information.

If the boat was actually restored properly from the results of a professional marine surveyor (which isn't cheap), I would say you need to figure out the fair market value of the hull and trailer, then consider the outboard motor worth just the cost of scrap metal.

Depending on the details on the boat, it should be possible to have fitted a newer outboard motor with controls. I wouldn't assume though, check first before buying a replacement.

Second, is you are a first time boat buyer interested in a vintage boat. That is also a big red flag. You do not have the knowledge nor the trained experience yet to discern how much likely investment and risk is involved.

Example: People often will buy an old and possibly neglected boat to restore and not do the research and study. They get shocked when fiberglass professionals quote them about $5k to $10k to just restore the structure of a fiberglass boat with wood in it.

Then you have the engine drive system that has to be considered on how much it will take to get it 100% functional, then upholstery, getting trailer in serviceable condition, etc. etc.

For a $2500 20 to 23ft "project" boat you bought on craigslist, you could be in the red for about $7k to $20k depending on what is involved.

 

[Mr. Asa]

I'd bet that it was a carb or fuel supply issue.

I'd start with cleaning the fuel filter and making sure the fuel pump is working. After that I'd rebuild the carburetor, making sure to clean all the internal passages.

After that, it may still need a few tweaks to run perfectly, but that should do most of it.