Ayuh,..... I think that price is just plain Nutz, for a 40-odd year old hull,.....
You'll be upside-down as soon as ya hook onto it, with no hope of any kinda recovery,.....
'n the water ready boat will probably be newer,....
Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Depending on which P/S actuator you've got, check for a couple of wrench flats on the tube, if there, they have to be perfectly vertical to align the valving,....
Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,.....
If you lift the boat enough so that the drive is outa the water when full down, you can drain the block, manifold, 'n hoses, you don't even need the antifreeze, 'n it's winterized,...
Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,..... Boat motors run fairly cool, so there's better odds that the float bowels are leakin' into the intake, causin' a flooded condition,......
Ayuh,..... That is correct,.....
"Trimmed the drive up, ran the engine, "
That ain't such a good idea either, it crowds the u-joints,...
Run the motor only in the trim range, as low as possible,.....
Ayuh,..... It's either straight across, or staggered across,....
Nothin' side by side,.....
If they're staggered, the 168 tooth is needed, but still has to clear the flywheel cover,.....
If they're straight across, the 153 tooth flywheel fits,.....
Ayuh,.... If it's an ole big motor style starter, swap it for the newer style permanent magnet motor starter,.....
1/2 the weight, 'n twice the power,....
Ayuh,..... It depends on where the holes are drilled in the block for the starter mounting bolts, 'n which flywheel will fit inside the OMC flywheel cover,....
