1970's Wriedt Stinger repowering

[ThatDude114]

Hi guys,

I hope I'm posting this in the correct section. I am a complete newbie when it comes to boats and the other day I bought a 16 foot 1970's Wriedt Stinger (I believe that is the model of it.) It looks absolutely fantastic as its been stored inside all its life. It came mounted with a 75hp Mcculloch outboard, however it doesn't appear to run, it seems that the gearbox is seized up. But I am completely new to boats so I could be wrong. My main question is about repowering this boat. My intentions are to use this as a summer fun kind of a boat, I'd like to be able to pull a skier or tube, I don't think it would create enough of a wake for a wakeboard though. I was hoping you guys could help me decide what course of action I should take. Should I attempt to rebuild the 75hp Mcculloch? I also have a 1968 Johnson 55 but I'd like to be able to pull a skier comfortably with this boat, would the 55 be enough? There's a 64 Johnson 75(V4) for sale near me complete for $450 but I know they're real gas hogs. Or should I get a different motor completely? I can probably only afford up to an early 80's motor at this point. In your opinion what's the most reliable motor I could use behind this boat? I really appreciate your help, I'm just not sure of the action I should take here.

 

[ezmobee]

The 55 will pull a skier on 2 skis. It won't likely be able to pull one up on a single ski though at least not before they ran out of air and drowned. It'll be an adequate motor otherwise though and since you already have it I'd probably run it. I would not put time/money into the McCullough. I've never even heard of one of those in that HP so I can imagine parts are near impossible to find. I wouldn't run a pre-'73 J/E V4. Just too thirsty and not great ignition systems. A '73 or newer 3 or 4 cylinder J/E would be ideal.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I grew up skiing behind a 14' mirro craft with a 50hp merc on back and later a basstracker III with a 50hp. both with 2 skiis as well as slalom. if you have the motor and controls, I would hang it and go boating.

the boat is cool looking. I myself would try to get it running. most likely the points need attention from sitting

the McCulloch / Scott Atwater outboards came up to 75hp, and many people seamed to like them

http://boatspecs.iboats.com/McCulloch/bpe/20br2245

http://forums.iboats.com/Outboards/McCulloch

 

[ThatDude114]

I really like the boat and I think I got it for a steal. I paid merely $800 for everything, good title on the boat and trailer. Keep in mind I don't know much about boats but it seems like something is seized in the motor as I cannot get the prop to turn on it. I haven't had much time to look at it between work and college. I do have everything for the 55 Johnson including controls and mounting brackets. Are they good motors? I've been reading about problems with their shifting mechanism because it's a hydraulic system correct? I think I definitely need to take a closer look at the McCulloch and find out why it appears to be seized up. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it!

 

[ezmobee]

The McCullough might just be stuck in gear. I'd try dropping the lower unit first and see if it's still locked.

Your 55 is an electric shift motor and the deal there is the control box switches and solenoids in the lower unit are NLA. However it's a perfectly fine system when everything still works. Make sure you use Type C oil in the lower. It will not function properly with standard lower unit lube.

 

[ThatDude114]

Sorry for the late reply guys. So I finally had a chance to work on the boat the other day. The McCulloch is definitely stuck in gear, you can't turn the flywheel over at all. I went to pull the lower unit and 2 of the hex head bolts were so stuck that I snapped my socket on them. I've got them soaked in PB blaster right now. Should I even bother with that motor at this point? I also worked on my Evinrude 55. Good compression all the way around but I can't get it to suck fuel, good lines all the way through the system. I was able to get it to fire by spraying some mixed fuel into the carbs. It will run so long as I keep spraying fuel into the carbs. The big problem here is the ignition amplifier, all the wires are toast. I'm thinking of cutting the wires farther back and seeing if there's still corrosion. I'd really rather not spend $325 on a new amplifier. Is the Evinrude worth spending any time or money on? My other option is I could spend upwards of $1000 on a different motor, any suggestions? Could I find a decent motor for that price? Sorry for all the questions guys. Completely new to both boats and outboards in general. I really appreciate all the help.