'77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

[ziggy]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

Any suggestions as to what to do next?

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/01/01_13.pdf

sorry to hear about your woes... and your right, never take the sellers word for anything. they want to sell.... at any cost..... ya may not have to pull the engine. could be manifolds or riser. on mine it was the manifold. i knew it was close to being bad when i got my boat. so it didn't take me by surprise. as in, had a new manifold and riser on hand for it... first start, get the water out of it.... good luck... we're all here to help...

 

[ziggy]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

another short link about water damage...
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/01/01_10.pdf

fwiw... like i said. i had chocolate milk too. withing a week of owning my boat. i think i had the repair done in 2 days. but i discovered it real early. always check yer oil, every time i go out i do. in between i do too. not for fear of running low on oil, but more so for looking for it increasing in level. like in water intrusion... apparently, since i caught on early, i saved my engine. as i didn't have to pull it, nor rebuild it... compression was still the same as when i got it. after the issue.... and after many runs...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

I check the oil every time i get on the boat.

I check it before i leave the boat after a day on the water, than i check it again after i flush it.

I'm sorry for you troubles.

You think it's fresh water? Salt water?

Or is it fuel?

Makes a big difference smell it.

How long you think it's been in the oil?

 

[racinrc14]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

I picked up the boat on Halloween, Oct. 31st. I checked the oil before I paid the man, it was clean. I put the boat in the water that day and ran around for about 15 minutes, and never got it over about 2100 rpm. Have not had it in the water since, and only about 15 minutes worth on the muffs here at the house. It's not salt water. I did smell it hoping it was fuel, but no fuel in the oil. Besides, I know what water in the oil looks like. It looks like what's on my dipstick. I am hoping that in spring, when it's warm enough in my garage to work on it, I'll find a worn-out exhaust shutter, or cracked manifold, or riser. But my luck will have me looking for a good 302 block next spring.

 

[ziggy]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

I am hoping that in spring, when it's warm enough in my garage to work on it,

i hope you read the link in post #21. the 1st item about "save the engine", regarding changing the oil now......

 

[chiefalen]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

You do have to drain the oil now.

Than i would refill with clean oil. I would drain the block and the manifold.

Remove the spark plugs.

With out water going to the drive crank it.

Crank it 10 seconds, wait a minute or 2 and crank it again.

Do it over and over about 10 times.

Then i would shoot pb blaster in the spark plug holes, Crank it some more.

Shoot it crank it.

Remove the valve covers, clean all the water and gunk off the valves and rockers.

Shoot everything up there with pb blaster. Don't forget to reinstall the plugs.

Than your done till next year.

Leave the drive all the way down.

You might save the motor if you do it now wait till next year to late.

I am very sorry for your trouble.

 

[racinrc14]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

Had the boat winterized by the local marine shop. They drained the oil, changed it and the filter. They informed me that the motor has a spun rod bearing. How they know this without taking the motor apart is beyond me. They're the experts, I guess. I don't know if they did anything to save the rest of the motor, so I'll oil everything down this weekend and try to get the motor out if I can get cooperation from Mother Nature.

The block and manifolds have been drained and filled with A/F. They also serviced the drive (new impeller, etc..) and at least it is in good condition.

What is Pb blaster and where can I get it?

 

[ziggy]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

What is Pb blaster and where can I get it?

it's a pretty good rust penitrant. used to loosen rust corroded bolts. i got the can i got at the local auto parts store. do get some. it's much better than wd by a long shot....
as for yer spun brg. i don't know how to tell from the outside. i'll be interested in hearing the answer to that too. i do think i'd find out how ya tell prior to removing and disassembling the engine... would be a lot of work if it ain't true...

 

[racinrc14]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

would be a lot of work if it ain't true...

I agree. I'm a machinist, but I can imagine that being a mechanic and dealing with the public can be a real pain, so I'm reluctant to call the boat place and ask how they know it's a bearing. Plus they quoted me a rediculous price of $3500 to replace the whole motor. I'm sure they would like the work, but there is no way I can afford to pay someone to do a job that I am capable of doing myself. (I have rebuilt several small-block Chevy's and countless 4-wheeler motors). I wish I could trust professional mechanics, but I have witnessed many shady repairs and even fixed several on my own. It just doesn't sound like a rod bearing to me, but this is my first boat, so I'm kinda at the mercy of the 'professionals'.

 

[racinrc14]

Re: '77 m-cruiser 888/302 no power in gear

By the way, the last time I ran the motor on the muffs, oil pressure on the factory Glastron gage read between 40-50, which is in the green on the gage face.