New to fourm with questions

[Capt. Brandon]

I recently purchase a 1968 Alum craft 16' Yukon with a 1976 35 hp Chrysler outboard Model # 357HK. When I purchase the package the previous owner said the engine had not run in a couple of years, but he said he had done a compression test and that it was good. I feel what I paid for the package; the trailer and boat were worth the price alone and if the engine runs it's a steal.

My question is if you knew the engine had not run in at least a couple of years what would you do first on the engine. What maintenance would you complete prior to even attempting to start the motor? I will be completing my own compression test before starting any work on the motor.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[fhhuber]

Assuming its not going to be a hard project to get it running:

Get a can of fogging oil.

Pull the plugs and squirt in some of the oil. Let that sit for a day.

Pull the water pump and replace the impeller.
(maybe just lube the old one while doing diagnostics because hose pressure and "earmuffs" will make it so you don't really need a good pump for brief runs)

After the fogging oil has had some time to soak the rings, spray some into the intake and spin the engine a few revolutions. Check the spark at each plug. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014WDFLY

If you have good spark, add fuel (proper mix as applicable to your engine) and see if you can make it start popping.

If its all working and you didn't replace the water pump... do it now.

Main point being... make sure the thing has plenty of oil and cooling water.

 

[ondarvr]

What maintenance would you complete prior to even attempting to start the motor?

Almost nothing, make sure it starts before putting any time or money into it. You only need to run it for a few seconds, if it starts you know it probably isn't a lost cause, if it doesn't start you may get an idea as to why not and then determine if it's worth getting it running.

 

[Capt. Brandon]

Thank you fhhuber, and ondarvr for your advice.

My next question would be since this is a 1976 Chrysler motor are parts readily available for these motors?

Thanks again

 

[SkiDad]

on eBay or maybe a spare motor from craigslist. If your boat could take a force 50 it would have more parts is my guess.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The parts are all over.
Fogging the cylinders now would just make it harder to start.

Check compression and spark and then put it DEEEEP in a bucket and see if it runs.
Has to be 2-4 inches over the water pump.

If you use muffs?? This type lower needs a special one.
The big ones might work and then might not.

 

[Capt. Brandon]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

 

[Jiggz]

Since it hasn't ran in years, you at least need to spray fuel oil mix into each cylinder before even trying to crank or simply to rotate the flywheel. This is to make sure it at least has lubrication. If you don't there is a good chance you can damage the rings and or cylinders.

If you have a compression gauge a compression check before firing her up is highly recommended to make sure there is no damage internally to start with. If you don't do any of the above, as mentioned your presumption is that it was already damaged to start with . . . which is neither true or false.

 

[Capt. Brandon]

Ok so I was able to complete a compression test over the weekend. Both cylinder's came back between 110-115 each. I have not attempted to start the engine yet. Only one plug is getting spark. This model has a coil for each cylinder one appeared to be cracked so I ordered a new coil and should be able to try and start it up later this week. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Jiggz]

I wish you tried switching the coils first to see if the problem follows. Bu since it is cracked it's possible it is the coil that is the source of non spark.

 

[Capt. Brandon]

Hi Jiggz,
I thought about switching them as well. I'm kind of rolling the dice here.....hopefully I made a good call or I'll be purchasing more parts

 

[Jiggz]

With electrical parts, switch around first if possible. There are two reasons for this, electrical parts are super expensive and mostly non-returnable.