Another Free Boat Project

[76Fiber]

Ok, so I got a 1976 Fiberform Bimini 19ft with trailer. I am looking at the viability of fixing it up to donate to a non-profit. The floor and stringers will need to be replaced (I have experience with that) so I know what I am into with it. However, I don't have experience working with the OMC 165 stringer drive and engine. The engine seems straight forward GM style inline 6 (I grew up with Chevy inline 6's though including rebuilding one in my dorm room at college). I pulled the valve cover and the top end looks almost new even though this boat has been sitting for probably 15 years. I pulled the lifter covers and they look almost new too. No rust at all in either place and the engine has full oil with no water at all. Before I invest the effort I decided to try to turn it over. The starter was seized so I pulled that off. Using short bolts in the crank pulley I can move the crank back and forth about 1 inch rotation. However, it stops there and doesn't seem to want to go further. Now, to my lack of knowledge on the stringer drive. It is currently in the full up position and the prop free wheels so guessing it is out of gear. Is it possible that the engine won't turn over due to the outdrive being in the full up position or other problems with it??

 

[matt167]

Yeah the ball gears on the outdrive make it stiff to turn over because they partially bind. ( this is why you don’t start it like that )

If you want to donate it to a non profit needing that much work, just give them $6k and call it a day. That’s the minimum amount you’ll be into it. $6k can buy a worthy boat

 

[redneck joe]

Part the motor and stuff out and donate those dollars.

 

[redneck joe]

If it was a mercruiser it would maybe be worth it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I agree with Matt. Just give the non-profit $6-8k.

Price out a ball gear kit, manifold, seal kit, upholstery, and the $3k in fiberglass and the $6k may not be enough

If the boat was perfect, and I mean perfect. It has a value of $500.-$800

The drive is obsolete and parts are nearly impossible to get

If you pulled the motor and drive and tossed them, redid the transom for a 1992 or newer Mercruiser, swapping in a 4.3 or 5.7 the value increases to about $2k

The juice isn't worth the squeeze

There is a reason free boats are the most expensive ones

 

[76Fiber]

They do some work on a river so the bow shape and draft will work great for them if that works out and then they wouldn't sell it.

 

[76Fiber]

I pulled the outdrive unit. The ball shaft on it turns free. The ball shaft on the intermediate housing has about the same movement as the engine so I guess the next step is to pull the intermediate housing off. I will have to do that anyway no matter what I do with it. Then I can tell if the engine isn't turning over completely or if the gearing inside the intermediate housing is the problem.

 

[kenny nunez]

When you un bolt the intermediate housing from the engine do not be surprised if it does not want to seperate. What usually happens is the shaft splines will be rusted to the drive coupler. If yours comes apart you will be extremely lucky. Every time I had to seperate the engine from the intermediate on the 72- 75 year models and the splines were rusted together I had to cut a hole in the housing and cut the shaft with a torch. OMC later made the coupling with a “O“ ring seal which kept the splines protected with grease.
If the drive still has oil in it and turns free I am pretty sure it is worth a few bucks.

 

[76Fiber]

I pulled the ball shaft out of the intermediate housing. It actually came out relatively easy with just a little pry bar work. So, I am assuming nothing else is connected to the engine crankshaft. The engine still won't turn much more than it did before so it is time to concentrate either on a stuck valve, stuck lifter or a rusty cylinder. I misplaced my inspection camera so can't check to see what the inside of the cylinders looks like. Guess I will go back to looking for it.