Re: battery melting and general questions
As you can see (I hope, this is my first time trying to post pictures) the exhaust manifold crack. If I had to guess I think it was from weather. I don't really know how to check if the block is cracked but I am guessing that the oil would have leaked out, which isn't the case.
May not necessarily leak oil, the potential damage is in the water jackets of the block, heads, intake, and exhaust manifolds. These can either crack outwardly and leak water into the bilge, and/or crack internally and leak water into the cylinders and/or crank case. That manifold is beyond cracked, it's out-right broken (and should be replaced). I would highly suspect freeze damage after looking at that. You need to run water through the system to determine if the block is cracked. You would obviously see water leaking into the bilge if the block is cracked externally. Signs of internal cracks are hydro-locking, and milky oil.
As far as the marvel mystery oil, i misspoke. I didn't put it in the headers, i poured it down the valve covers. I read on this forum that I should do that to clean and lubricate the pistons.
OK. So you poured it into the crankcase correct? MMO may help to de-sludge the engine, as far as lubricating the pistons, thats what the engine oil is for.
I'm going to try your idea about removing the plugs and let the starter clean out the engine. Also I will check my battery wires very well and replace if need be.
Sounds good. Take a look at your plugs as you pull them out. If they are damp then theres a good chance you have water in the cylinders. If they are rusty, then theres a good chance water was in the cylinders, and has potentially rusted the cylinders and bound up the rings. Also good to look at the condition of the plugs to determine if the engine has been running lean or rich, and if there is any oil fouling.
But is there a problem at all with using a deep cycle battery for starting this thing? I'm guessing since this is just basically a car engine thats what I should go with but I'm still uncertain.
Truth be told, all we use in our Glastron is an everstart(walmart) deep cycle battery. That is the only battery in the boat. Works fine by us. Others may disagree and say you need a starting battery. Personally I think for testing purposes right now, just stick to what you have as long at it's fully charged, and wasn't to badly damaged by letting the smoke out of it. May want to check the electrolyte level in the battery if its been sitting for a while.
Oh and by the way
model # 504SPHRCOM
983488
Serial # j 852543
j 380816
Looks like you have a 1985 stringer. Please keep in mind parts for this drive system can be expensive, and sometimes no longer available new which would mean you would need to chase down a used replacement and cross your fingers that it works and lasts. I wouldn't get married to this boat. If you can get the engine running good, and the drive functions correctly, then great. I would still be checking the wood in this boat for rot.
As a final precautionary note, if you are able to sort all this out, and get the engine running, you should be considering installing a new impeller in the drive. Sounds like the previous owner was lax on maintenance, so this boat no-doubt needs the impeller replaced.
