New to me 76 Glastron-Mercruiser 888 .

[PistenBully]

Hello everyone, new to this forum, but not new to forums.

First I'd like to say that there is a wealth of information here. The stickies have been a great help to me already!

So I pulled home a slightly neglected 1976 Glastron V-184 Starflite with an Mercruiser 888 I/0.

It needs some love to be sure and I don't think I'll be able to get her on the water before the weather turns so I have some time to get it dialed before next season.

I am a mechanic by trade, but not familiar with marine mechanical at this point. I figure this will be a fun resto project.

Engine Serial Number: 4469319

First thing I figure I need to do is replace the impeller, the boat has been sitting for five years or so. I found the replacement how-to summary here. Looks pretty straight-forward. I have been shopping online a bit and have found a lot of different price ranges. Are the $30 water pump kits garbage compared to the $70 kits or is that just markup? What is the preferred kit to purchase?

Next problem I see is that there is some coolant in the raw water side of the engine. I suspect an improper winterization and possible internal leakage in the heat exchanger. I wasn't expecting that since I know the previous owner to be knowledgeable when it comes to storage. I guess a pressure test of the cooling system will tell me more.

Then of course there are the other thing on the punch list: Service the engine, siphon the gas, go through the trailer hubs, replace the trailer wiring, replacing the tilt hoses, cleaning, batteries, replace straps, replace rollers, tune-up, license and registration of boat and trailer, and everything else I forgot.

I found a copy of my service manual (Manual #2) thanks to DonS and downloaded it and have been studying it extensively. I was hoping to find a copy of the Mercruiser Owners manual for this sterndrive, so I might peruse it at my leisure. The Glastron owners manual was in the glovebox, which is really cool.

It's going to be a project, for sure. What's that saying about the two happiest days in a boat owners life????

I'll post some photos when I get a chance. Thanks again for all the great info here!

 

[achris]

Re: New to me 76 Glastron-Mercruiser 888 .

Things like water pumps, bellows, elbows and manifolds I prefer to use OEM. Although more expensive to purchase, they seem to last considerably longer, making them the most economical option...

Have fun with the resto... and welcome to iBoats.

Chris.......

 

[PistenBully]

Re: New to me 76 Glastron-Mercruiser 888 .

Thank you for the warm welcome!

Did some cleaning and general inspection this weekend. Sheeesh, the pack rats love the insulation in a Glastron. I have a ways to go before I can even crank over the engine!

From what I've read it seems like the Mercruiser water pump is a wear item, ie: to be replaced at least every two years. Would spending the extra $$ on OEM be the most cost effective option? Not trying to be disagreeable, just trying to gather as much information as possible.

I haven't brought a pressure tester home to test the fresh water system yet, but I'm worried that the heat exchanger is going to be toast, and those are not getting any cheaper...has anyone had luck with radiator shops repairing theses San Jose systems? I am just assuming the worst at this point, I suppose it could be a gasket...or is could be much worse...any ideas on coolant coming out of the seawater intake would be most appreciated.

I'd also love to get my hand on the Mercruiser owners' manual for the '76 888 Sterndrive.

Photos still to come.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: New to me 76 Glastron-Mercruiser 888 .

Just curious as to what additional information you would expect to find in an owner's manual that you wouldn't already find in your service manual? My drive's service manual (which I got the same place as you) has everything I need.....

 

[PistenBully]

Re: New to me 76 Glastron-Mercruiser 888 .

Just curious as to what additional information you would expect to find in an owner's manual that you wouldn't already find in your service manual? My drive's service manual (which I got the same place as you) has everything I need.....

I guess I'm just a sucker for information...and nostalgia. Perhaps I enjoy the simplicity of owners manuals as opposed to service manuals. Mostly just trying to gather as much information as I can at all times. If it can't be had, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. Just thought I'd put it out there and see what turns up.

 

[RCAnderson]

Re: New to me 76 Glastron-Mercruiser 888 .

A rad shop is the way to go for your heat exchanger. They can completley clean it out with muriatic acid, pressure test and re-solder any leaks. I had mine done last year. Then again, if it's pooched, and you don't plan to run in saltwater, it's a pretty easy conversion back to raw water cooled.

 

[harleyman1975]

Re: New to me 76 Glastron-Mercruiser 888 .

Your gonna love that 888! The 302 is smooth and easy on fuel and super simple to work on. I too am an i/o first timer and the sadest day of the year so far was the day I pulled it out of the water to have it winterized.

 

[PistenBully]

Re: Heat Exchanger

Re: Heat Exchanger

A rad shop is the way to go for your heat exchanger. They can completley clean it out with muriatic acid, pressure test and re-solder any leaks. I had mine done last year. Then again, if it's pooched, and you don't plan to run in saltwater, it's a pretty easy conversion back to raw water cooled.

Dug a little deeper this evening and found that the HX is indeed the culprit. I guess I'll be visiting some radiator shops on my days off. I hope it's only a few tubes. Going back to raw water is definitely an option, I'd prefer to keep the freshwater closed system as we have a few alkaline lakes in the area. I will post back when I know more. Thanks, RCAnderson.

On another note, It seems to me that good radiator shops are getting fewer and farther between these days, with these new-fangled "disposable" plastic and aluminum radiators.

 

[PistenBully]

Re: Heat Exchanger

Re: Heat Exchanger

A little update:

So I got my wiring all squared away and tore out the old carpet. I also siphoned off 7 gallons of some the nastiest fuel I've ever dealt with...looked like rotten orange Crush and smelled like linseed oil. In the process of getting every bit of fuel out of the system I twisted off one end of the line that goes from the fuel pump to the carb as well as tearing rubber fill tube from the gas cap to the tank in half.

I'm hoping I can get the engine to turn over this coming weekend. Found a rad shop in between two boat shops that deals with heat exchangers on a regular basis. I hope my HX is repairable.

I figured I had better add a few photos:

Doesn't look too bad for a "free" boat.

Carpet gone.

Harness squared away and sans heat exchanger.

 

[RCAnderson]

Re: Heat Exchanger

Re: Heat Exchanger

You may want to check out your fuel tank. If you only had 7 gallons of fuel in there, how long was it stored like that ? Some older tanks were made from galvanized steel and will rust on the inside. I had no end of trouble with mine, plugged up suction lines and such, that I finally decided to replace the tank instead of changing filters a dozen times a day.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Heat Exchanger

Re: Heat Exchanger

Are you building your own wiring harness?! That seems like quite an undertaking considering just buying one pre-made!

 

[PistenBully]

Harness.

Harness.

Are you building your own wiring harness?! That seems like quite an undertaking considering just buying one pre-made!

Nope, just re-connecting some broken/chewed wires.

 

[PistenBully]

Re: Fuel Tank

Re: Fuel Tank

You may want to check out your fuel tank. If you only had 7 gallons of fuel in there, how long was it stored like that ? Some older tanks were made from galvanized steel and will rust on the inside. I had no end of trouble with mine, plugged up suction lines and such, that I finally decided to replace the tank instead of changing filters a dozen times a day.

Thanks for the heads up. I would love to pull the fuel tank out of the boat, but it looks like no easy task. I will investigate further. It's a tight fit under the bow, but I should be able to squish my head up in there.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Fuel Tank

Re: Fuel Tank

I've certainly seen worse ones to get to. I too would suggest pulling the tank out and evaluating it at the very least. If it needs to be replaced, shop around and see what you can get. I know Moeller makes a nice plastic tank - here's an example of a bow tank here on iboats:

 

[harleyman1975]

Re: Harness.

Re: Harness.

Have the same engine in a 1973 21 Cruisera Bonanza. Love it! Plenty of power and easy on fuel.

 

[PistenBully]

Re: Fuel Tank

Re: Fuel Tank

I've certainly seen worse ones to get to. I too would suggest pulling the tank out and evaluating it at the very least. If it needs to be replaced, shop around and see what you can get. I know Moeller makes a nice plastic tank - here's an example of a bow tank here on iboats:

I tried to get the old tank out with last night. I started with a tape measure and I thought it may be doable, so I gave it a shot, but to no avail. I don't think it can but done with out some saw work, perhaps I'll get it out today.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Fuel Tank

Re: Fuel Tank

Welcome to Iboats Pisten.

That boat looks sorta familliar... Check my signature.
The V-184 is owned by my cousin, but I'm the one that does the maintenance, and uses it the most. Didn't know they came in blue. Only thought '76 had avocado green, and burnt orange (like ours).

Anyway, word to the wise... The only way you will get that tank out is to pull the cap, or start cutting. My cousin did a partial resto to his, and he pulled the cap to get to the tank. Our tank was in good shape, even though it is steel, so he put it back into service. The sending unit on that tank is pretty accessible. If you want to inspect the tank with out pulling it, it should be no problem to pull the sender out and get a peek with a mirror.

BTW, when you say the water pump is a wear item, you are referring to the impeller in the outdrive, not the circulator pump on the engine, right? Yes impellers are wear items, on all makes of I/O, O/B, I/B. Circulator pumps usually last much longer.

 

[PistenBully]

Re: Fuel Tank

Re: Fuel Tank

Oh yeah, the tank is a rustier than a rusty trombone...A little bit of saw work and some cursing and I was able to pull the tank out.

I couldn't get a good pic of the tank, but here's one of the sending unit and the pick-up tube:

If these look this bad, you can imagine what the tank looks like! The pick-up tube is actually sealed shut, The compressor won't even blow through it.

I guess I will be shopping for a plastic tank...unless of course I figure out a way to salvage this one. Is that POR15 as good as they say it is?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Fuel Tank

Re: Fuel Tank

Forget the POR15 or any other product with that kind of corrosion. A new tank and sender is the ONLY way to go.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Fuel Tank

Re: Fuel Tank

Good catch, PistenBully. That would have been all kinds of fun after you tried to get an engine running with no ability to fuel it. Glad you were able to get the tank out easily enough.