1986 Renken

[86Renken]

Hey guys, just purchased what could be the best thing I ever have or the worst! Only time will tell... anyway, the ONLY thing I know about it is that it is a 1986 Renken Runabout. I can see OMC clearly stamped around the engine and we figure it is a Chevy of some sort because of the distributor placement (rear).

I guess my question is; where can I find the information I will need to determine which engine and drive I have? Reason being is the engine seems to be siezed and may need to be replaced. :facepalm:

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1986 Renken

may be the drive thats seized instead of the engine.

 

[90stingray]

Re: 1986 Renken

Look for some serial numbers and decals with part numbers. Maybe some pictures would help too.

 

[86Renken]

Re: 1986 Renken

I have some pictures that I am going to try to upload after I get home from work lol.. as for the siezed drive.. any easy way to check that?

RBMCA084H586 is the HIN

 

[86Renken]

Re: 1986 Renken

Here's some pics guys.. appreciate the help!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1986 Renken

Looks like it's in fair shape.First check the oil in the motor and then the drive.The drive has 2 places for oil.The upper and lower are sealed units.Pull the plugs and check for water and metal shavings.
Siezed? Does the starter engage and try to turn it over? Or just click?
Big socket with big extension to try to turn it over by hand(remove the plugs).If you can get to the flywheel try to turn it over there,be carefull not to break any teeth off the ring gear.Jerry

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1986 Renken

I might have the manual for this I'll look.J

 

[superbenk]

Re: 1986 Renken

It's a fully mechanical shift Stringer 800. Last year they were made/sold.

 

[86Renken]

Re: 1986 Renken

When I bought the boat, the guy said his "mechanic" had it out on the water after doing a carb rebuild and got it to around 2700 rpms and just herd a click/clank and the engine stopped. When I went to buy it, we pulled a battery out of my truck (7.3 diesel) and attempted to fire it up. All we herd was a loud click. Sounds almost like the starter was trying to turn it but couldn't.. I could be wrong though. Another little problem was we tried to turn it over by hand but that nut was stripped?

Anyway, I did check the oil in the engine and it smells like gas.

I will check the oil in the drive today..

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: 1986 Renken

Don't wanta be the bearer of bad news.. That sounds like a popped engine.. Plus being a northern boat it is unlikely it's water was drained after the failure.. The light winters down here crack em all the time.. What ya wanta bet someone stripped that nut trying to free up the engine:facepalm:..

If ya got the boat cheap enough(Like Free) and are bored.. I guess you can do a engine replacement.. Part hunting for the stringer is a PITA but can be done.. If the inside is trashed and rotted out.. I wouldn't even bother.. Sell it and pick up something that runs.. Hope everything turns out okay.. Something about boats and hope.. They don't normally happen together..

 

[scottkanderson]

Re: 1986 Renken

I have an 86 Renken with a stringer drive and 4.3l chevy. You have a stringer 800 drive, but i'm not sure what engine, not the 4.3l.

 

[Newbie@boats]

Re: 1986 Renken

I bought a mercrusier once, it sat for 6 years put a new fully chagred battery in it, turned the key got a loud thump, over and over, eventually I got the motor turning over by hand then I gave up on it and sold it.

route of my story motor is probably bad

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1986 Renken

That's a 3.8L V6 in the pics. 185HP with the QJet on there.
Usual chain of events:
1. Upper gearcase packs it in/seizes due to water intrusion or running tilted - ball gears wear on 45 and push the horizontal shaft into the rear bearing spinning it in the case
2. Boat gets parked- not winterized - quote to fix too high
3. winter comes and destroys the engine block and manifolds


so, remove the drive and see what is seized
look at the rear lower corners of the manifolds for cracks
remove the dipstick tube ferrule nut from the fitting at bottom of oil pan - if a gallon of water comes out before oil starts coming out, engine is history

if the previous owners were smart and drained it - you might have something salvageable - you'll know if oil comes out the bottom of the pan and not water.

If the manifolds are history, it's a $1250 conversion to center riser Osco's