Install motor questions?

[zapblam]

Bought a used 1978 14ft aluminum boat. Motor is a 1997 25hp Tracker Merc with power trim and all the controls. Motor and controls are not attached to the boat. Motor came off a pontoon party boat and replaced by the 60hp that was on the aluminum boat I bought.

I am planning to
-change the impeller, possibly the whole water pump
-leg oil change and inspect
-carb cleaning
-overall grease and lube
-plugs
-change oil in power lift

This motor has thermostats, should I just change those also or just wait?

Main question so far: Whats the easiest way to mount this motor to the boat? couple of strong hands to hold motor up while bolting in place OR remove power trim, attach to boat, then hang motor on power trim?

Is there anything that may be troublesome with attaching this motor/controls into the boat that may not be obvious?

i have searched and read this site for weeks. Tons of valuable information and helpfull advice.

Listed at $2200, got for $1000 not being able to see motor running let alone a test drive.

 

[zapblam]

Re: Install motor questions?

wife says no to a big dukes 01 on the side.

Might do a custom vinyl wrap though.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Install motor questions?

Install it as a single piece unit........ Put a few cement blocks down and get the trailer tongue as high as you need. You should be able to lift the boat bow high enough that you will not have to "lift" the motor just stand it up.

Work smart not hard.

 

[hoytvectrix]

Re: Install motor questions?

I would ignore the wife and paint the big 01 on both sides

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Install motor questions?

I like to spend a bit of time getting everything like it will be running down the river.

Put boat on level surface
crank bow of boat up till it looks like it is planning down the river
level boat sideways ( use a regular level ) shim tires or trailer let air out etc.
mark center of transom with framing square.
then draw a line down to bottom where holes will go and the centerline.
then tilt motor till the mount is at the same angle as your transom
and the anti-ventilation plate is level with the driveway. you can put bocks etc under motor to hold all the weight. Then slide motor till it touches the boat and check that it is level and mark the holes. If you have a sloted mount make sure you do not drill holes at top or bottom of slot so you can adjust later if needed. The best place to start is with the plate about one inch above the bottom of the boat. ( use framing square again to get motor height. Remember the holes must be sealed real good or water will cause big problems.

Lyle

 

[zapblam]

Re: Install motor questions?

Excellent details. I am hopefull that the existing holes in the transom will be ok. If they are not, I will search IBOAT on how to get around that. My luck is the holes will be almost close enough lol. Wull have the boat home in a few days...let the tinkering begin.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Install motor questions?

Use an automotive engine hoist like the one i use. If you or your buddies don't have one they rent them at most rental places.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Install motor questions?

I might consider taking out two seats to give you more room; with a 25 and 14' I doubt you'll be carrying 4 people much, and you ahve the pontoon for the mobs.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Install motor questions?

I might consider taking out two seats to give you more room; with a 25 and 14' I doubt you'll be carrying 4 people much, and you ahve the pontoon for the mobs.

 

[zapblam]

Re: Install motor questions?

The buyer has the pontoon....the 79 60hp motor from the boat was swapped for the 1997 25hp from his pontoon....controls, 2 tanks and 2 spare props included.

The 25 will have to do for a while....untill the 2 kids grow up and when I can afford a 30-50hp 4 stroke (boat rated for 50).

Father-in-law says we will use my automotive jack and a extra set of hands to balance the motor.

Will do some thoruough inspecting and tune up this motor in the garage first though. Compression is very good, thats all I know so far.

Found a repair manual for this motor at the local library.

Future mod will to be open up the front as properly as I can and have a seat mount up there. Will research into that when the time comes. Might consider putting a bench or something across the back for the kids and storage.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Install motor questions?

A couple of guys can lift that 25 up on the transom with ease...

 

[zapblam]

Re: Install motor questions?

lol cant be worse than getting a 35 year old chainsaw running. Or cleaning a motorcycle carb that sat for 7 years full of gas. someday I will get tired of fixing old stuff and save to buy new....naaah no challenge in that.