A few before and after pictures

[Fishermark]

Well, for those who have been following my project boat and helping with a few problems along the way... we finished the engine work a few weeks ago and got some items installed.... went for the shake down cruise yesterday and she fired up and ran great!

(Boat is a 1972 Sea Ray with a Mercruiser 165)

Here's some before and after pictures:

 

[Lou C]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Very nice job, love those old Chevy inline sixes!
Here's mine (deck/interior):

 

[ziggy]

Re: A few before and after pictures

very, very nice fm...... looks like yer all proper too. even got the reverse waterflow for yer manifold...... very clean..... nice job........

 

[oops!]

Re: A few before and after pictures

looks great......

used to have a inline six in my 69 srv 190...

really nice job....looks clean ...great lookin boat

good job

 

[Don S]

Re: A few before and after pictures

It looks Soooooo much nicer than the before picture. I personally hate RUST on an engine !!!!!!

 

[wallydc2]

Re: A few before and after pictures

How many man hours did you put into your project?

 

[Bondo]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Ayuh,....

Beautiful work Mark,........

 

[Robj]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Looks great, nice, clean job. Should last another 20+ years.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[Flukinicehole]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Looking good! I love how simple they used to look.

 

[180shabah]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Looks good, but I must admit I am developing a little resentment torwards you guys in FL.

Your all out fishin' and test runnin' your winter projects, while I am working in the Poconos with single digits and snow

Spring will get here for me too.....eventually.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Its hard to believe thats the same boat! Very nice job!!

 

[wca_tim]

Re: A few before and after pictures

My compliments! Very nice work throughout!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Well thanks to all!

How many hours? Quite a few hours actually, but as I said before, it's enjoyable right? Isn't that why we are all here really? We all enjoy getting a little grease under our fingernails.

My dad will have a fine, simple boat when it's all done. My brother works at a fiberglass shop and he was able to lay down a layer of glass over the entire interior. Here's another shot - they even built a new doghouse for the engine:

Among the items replaced:
-new gas tank
-different (used) transom assembly
-different (used) outdrive
-engine rebuilt with new...
...main and rod bearings, rings, oil pump, lifters, carb rebuilt, new manifold and riser, pertronix ignition and coil, rebuilt head.
-new trim pump and different (used) rams.
-New shift cable
-all new switches and wiring
-new bilge pump
-all new hoses and belt
-new seats

Shall I go on?

From time to time people ask if they should buy this boat or that boat... what they usually mean is "Does it make sense financially?" RARELY will you be able to buy an old boat and make a good reliable boat out of it without a LOT of money and time. (Well, let me rephrase that - either a good deal of money and a LOT of time... OR ... a BUNCH of money and let someone else do the work!)

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: A few before and after pictures

WOW, Mark all i can say is " YOU THE MAN "!!!! Very nice job you should be proud. Geesh you can come up here to Maine and do mine,just bring your insulated underware haha! Waiting for the weather up here in Me. to break . Good luck with her.

 

[cbear34]

Re: A few before and after pictures

That looks great! Nice Job!!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Great job!.....​

 

[Viking77]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Engine and interior fiberglass look great

Thanks for posting with the pictures!!!

 

[Manipulator]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Excellent job! I love before and afters. Thanks for sharing.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: A few before and after pictures

Looks great!! Excellent job. I love to see a clean engine.
Tell me about this reverse flow thing. I'm assuming it refers to the hose from the thermostat housing. I don't think the ones on my inline 6 are routed that way. Is this something I need to change? I can't swear to it, but I don't recall those two long hoses.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: A few before and after pictures

The reverse flow is a re-engineered type of thing recommended by Mercruiser to keep the manifold from cracking. With the stock water flow apparently the front of the manifold did not get enough water while accelerating - with the bow up. When the bow came back down, water flowed back into the now hot manifold and often resulted in cracking.

Here's a diagram showing what needs to be done: