New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

[Spivy30]

I just picked up a 1982 Wellcraft Nova with a 260 mercrusier, The drive was off the boat but the motor ran good (got an extremely good deal) The boat was kept on a covered lift with the drive in the water (why do people do this?) so the drive is in pretty bad shape. Appariently the motor and the drive were taken out of the boat so the stringers could be fixed but they ended up being fine(my marine tech friend verified this) well anyways the marina got the motor in but never finished putting the drive in (Do you even need to pull the drive to get the motor out or to look at the stringers?) so before I put this drive back on I was wondering if I should just do some preventive maitence (gimble bearing, bellows, etc.) Also I was wondering what drive is on the boat, it looks like an alpha 1 but the top looks a little different, I cant see any numbers on it cuz its so bad. I will post pictures of the motor and boat soon.

 

[Don S]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

You need to do a lot of checking before you put the drive back on. And yes, you have to remove the drive to R&R the engine.
First you need to make sure the alignment is ok, and check the gimbal bearing, look at the splines on the coupler (thru the gimbal bearing).
Sounds like putting the engine in was to early without checking the coupler or the rear mounts.
You are basically between a rock and a hard spot with what has already been done. Will be looking for pictures.

 

[Spivy30]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

I just want to add that I didnt put the motor in, a dealer did all the work and there merc mechanic was injuryed outside the job so the owner decided to pick up the boat before it was finish, then do to family issues decided just to sell the boat. The boat has not been sitting for years apart. How would I go about checking to see if the motor is lined up?

Here are the pictures that I have of the boat...http://s437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/aspivek/1982 Wellcraft Nova/

 

[Spivy30]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

Don S thanks for verifying that you have to remove the drive now I dont feel like I was bsed.

 

[Spivy30]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

I just want to add that when I first looked the boat I planned on it being a winter project where I would have to replace motor and outdrive but after looking into i'm hoping it doesnt have to get that major.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

There is nothing stopping you from pulling the motor.

And checking everything yourself.

This way there will be no surprises.

How bad, is bad with the out drive.

New sei at top of this page, might be in your future.

Done right, now would be the smart move.

Good luck.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

thats the pre alpha. just going by the lift eye on top of gear box.
i think you need the mercruiser service manual 2
i hope one of the other guys can confirm and get you the link

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

You could pressure test it & possibly return it to service, but I would replace it, due to corrosion.....
What we need here is a close up pic of the gimabal housing, ring & bell housing.....
I'd be concerned more about excesssive corrosion there as it would be some work to replace that if needed......
He needs manual #3 & 4......
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571
That engine looks real clean, btw.....

 

[JustJason]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

Drives are hit or miss........ i've seen UGLY ones that still hold lube..... and i've seen drives that look brand new and every dang seal is leaking.

that being said..... my best advice to you right now is to make sure you have a good battery and do a compression test on the motor. you said it ran great..... but a engine with 60 psi will appear to run phenomenal untill you put a load on it. If it has good compression on all 8 then at least you know it should run. if it passes a compression test then i would pull the risers and have a look at the joints. if the drive is that ugly I bet the insides of the manifolds are too.

 

[Spivy30]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

I did a compression test before I bought it and all 8 were in the range of 145-153

 

[chiefalen]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

Thats good compression all around. Out drive not all that bad.

My donor boat had no water in the oil and was split right up the side.

The boat was used last year. Yours looks good compared to that.

Maybe all you need is a out drive oil change but i would pull it and check all the rubber.

Cable all the goodies.

You might be ok.

Clean it good and paint might be ok.

New impeller.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

Ayuh,....

The motor sounds good,+ tight,...

For about $1200.00 you could have a Brand New SEI drive bolted on there,+ Go Boating.....

 

[Spivy30]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

I think i'm gonna try and save some money now and clean up the drive, how would I go about pressure testing it? If it needs anywork i'm just gonna find a different drive. Does anyone know what model this drive would be?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

There are numbers on the drive, if you post them here im sure you can get someone to tell you what it is.

I might be wrong but i think it's pre alpha.

Drain all the oil out the drive. Put in the top plug and screw in a fitting to the bottom plug and pump to 10 psi.

If it holds the air for a few hours no leak.

Or you will hear it where it is leaking.

Good luck.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

There are numbers on the drive, if you post them here im sure you can get someone to tell you what it is.

I might be wrong but i think it's pre alpha.

Drain all the oil out the drive. Put in the top plug and screw in a fitting to the bottom plug and pump to 10 psi.

If it holds the air for a few hours no leak.

Or you will hear it where it is leaking.

Good luck.

Give the prop shaft a 1/4" turn a couple times during those hours...
Put the gauge in the top hole & it won't get any gear lube in it....
They do sell testers on ebay, or you can make one using the gear lube fitting, a gauge & a bicycle pump.....
I think Ziggy might have some pics of his in one of his posts, ya might wanna look for it in the 'search' function.....

 

[Spivy30]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

Thanks for the info guys im gonna try it out today, I cant read the numbers on the drive because theres so much corrosion so I guess i'll try cleaning the corrosion off and see if I get anywhere.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

This is the same one i bought about 2 years ago..it was 49 bucks then..
The guy raised his price,It works great though..Vacuum tests too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Outd...for-OMC-Mercruiser_W0QQitemZ280279193130QQcmd

 

[chiefalen]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

Heres Ziggys tester.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=255152

 

[Spivy30]

Re: New Owner of a 1982 Wellcraft 23' Nova

Well I used my friends tester and the drive held 10psi all last night so I guess the drive is good in that sense. Is there anyway I would be be able to tell if the drive shifts ok before I put it on? I dont want to clean it up if theres something wrong inside. Does anybody know of a good paint for painting the drive?