Newly acquired Aristo craft 19

[Dk3]

Hi , all I just got an aristo craft 19 with a mercruiser 120 in it. The boat has been sitting in the woods for a few years, because the previous owner stripped the gears in the upper portion of the out drive. It was intended to be a fort for my kids, but I cant see letting craftsmanship like this rot away if it is fixable. I'm just trying to gather some info on this boat like year, maybe some good places to get schematics or repair manuals, because I'm sure this project will definitely need it.Serial number on the engine is 3825967 and the sterndrive serial number is 3844272. No

 

[achris]

By the serial numbers, looks like a 1974 engine and drive. You'll need access to manual #2. You might find it as a PDF on the net somewhere, or as a look-up here at this place.

http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html

As for the drive. Forget 'repairing'. It's quicker and WAY cheaper to just but a new SEI106 drive. The ratio will need to be 1.94:1. The tools to do the job would be more than the SEI drive.

http://www.boatmotors.com/motorparts/index.cgi?pid=7514&flag=2

Chris.....

 

[merc120_81]

Bellows, lower shift cable, gimble bearing should probably all be replaced if its been sitting in the woods, and the history is unknown. (Bad bellows sinkk boats.. )

 

[Dk3]

Thanks, I appreciate the info, it gives me a great place to start

 

[achris]

The way I'd go about this is to pull the drive and put it somewhere 'safe'... You can then work on the engine and transom assembly without having to worry about the drive, or buying a new one. You can run the engine without the drive quite easily and safely. Just jam a hose into the water tube in the bell housing. Once you get the engine under control and know how much you are likely to be forking out, you can assess if it's worth going ahead. That way you're not out of pocket for a drive before you have assess everything else.

Pull the drive.
Assess the transom housing. Things like shift cable, bellows, gimbal bearing, steering system. exhaust system.
Assess the engine. Cooling system, fuel system, starter, alternator, wiring.

Get/read the manual, read the stickies in the forum/learn the names of the parts.

Make a decision.

Chris.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

before you do anything, you need to get it legally registered and in your name.

then I would look for a rotten mid 90's bayliner with a 3.0 and A1G2 and drop that whole driveline into your A19

 

[achris]

...then I would look for a rotten mid 90's bayliner with a 3.0 and A1G2 and drop that whole driveline into your A19

That's an even better idea.

 

[Dk3]

These are all great suggestions. The boat came with the drivers e removed already. The boat had been sitting on a trailer I. The woods so it wasnt in contact with the ground. I've already pulled the plugs and hit the cylinders with some penetrating oil, then hooked up a battery and jumped the starter and it turned over fairly easily. My next step is to get new plugs, change oil and oil filter. And see if I cant get the engine up and running before putting any real kind of $$$ into it.

"then I would look for a rotten mid 90's bayliner with a 3.0 and A1G2 and drop that whole driveline into your A19"

Would this driveline fit right in without much modifications and work with the current engine that's in the 19?

 

[achris]

You'd use the entire engine package. Engine, drive and gimbal housing and instruments. Sell off the old 120 for parts.

The​​ front engine mount screws down in the same holes. The transom cutout needs to be widened very slightly and 2 new holes drilled at the top. Other than that, it's easy. When I had my shop, 120 to 3 litre conversions were something we did routinely...

Chris...

 

[nola mike]

Bigger issue is probably going to be rot. I'd be shocked if this boat wasn't a gut job needing stringers and transom. That's a lot of work, way more than getting the engine up and running.

 

[Dk3]

Thanks for the insight Chris, and I too am a little worried about rot, although the fiberglass all seems to be pretty sound still. A little fabrication on the boat isnt a big deal, just as long as the wife isnt yelling about how much time and $ I'm putting into it

 

[nola mike]

Thanks for the insight Chris, and I too am a little worried about rot, although the fiberglass all seems to be pretty sound still. A little fabrication on the boat isnt a big deal, just as long as the wife isnt yelling about how much time and $ I'm putting into it

The fiberglass doesn't rot. The wood stringers and transom do, and it isn't always obvious. Head over to the restoration forum for some insights, but start by looking carefully for any soft spots in the floor, look around towards the rear, bulkheads, etc. The time, money and effort to rehab is a big deal, and isn't cheap. You'll be divorced in no time.

 

[kenny nunez]

I worked on many of the exact boat you have. The gas tank is easy to remove and clean out. Some of the earlier models had the gas tank vent mounted where water would enter. Is the steering cable free? They are very hard to replace with the engine in place. The Marmac control box also was a problem with the neutral start switch. Check the condition of the trailer frame, springs ,wheel bearings & tires. It probably needs new boards also.

 

[Dk3]

Yes, steering cables are free and seem to be in good working order. And shifting cable seems ok as well. Now that I've found this forum and seems like there is endless knowledge and people willing to help, I'm going to search around and gain some more insight on things involved in a restoration. Heck I'd be happy with just even getting the old engine to fire over. I know its important to make sure you've got something that isnt too far gone. And at least the seats fold down so if the wife kicks me out of the house I'll still have a spot to sleep.

 

[Dk3]

Some photos of the boats condition just before I got it