questions re:buying a project boat

[deputydawg]

I am thinking of buying a project boat. It is a 1976 Ebko, 18 1/2'. The boat is in great shape by appearance. Here is the history. Owner 1 stored it inside when not in use. 4 years ago owner 2 got the boat. First year in service somehow cracked the block. I don't know the details. He had a rebuilt mercury 6cyl 165hp installed for a little over 2000. Used the boat that year then moved and had a baby. The boat has been sitting outside covered for 3 years. Last spring he tried to start it to sell it. He says the engine won't turn over because the outdrive is froze up. <br />I looked at it, the prop won't turn but has no battery so I don't know about the engine. It will go from forward to reverse gears smooth. <br />Now for my questions. How can I tell what outdrive I have. I have checked a site posted here on another thread, but can't make sense of it. It is a 1976 mercruiser with a 165hp mercury 6cyl. The serial number I found on the left side of the drive looking at the prop is 4450504. Also is it possible for this to freeze up causing the engine to lock up? I have been a mechanic for 15 years and know the engine may freeze especially a new engine if it wasn't fogged prior to storage. <br />I was told that it would be impossible for me to rebuild this drive without specialised training from mercury marine. Also I have been told I need about $1000 in special tools to do this. <br />Any comments would be helpful about this. <br />Thanks

 

[Scaaty]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

I would move on....boat parts are going through the roof...get something that runs and floats now.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

Motors are basically car motors with marine bolt on’s. Outdrive will need special tool and money to fix. Just keep in mind a “project boat” is a life changing event. Its like having a baby, it takes all your money, keeps you up at night and you keep going back for more. If you buy it be ready.

 

[mkast]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

You are opening a can of worms you will never close.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

Two words: MONEY PIT !

 

[Bondo]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

But...!!!!!!<br /><br />If you turn wrenches,<br />Just for S's & Giggles........<br />And to Maintain Your Sanity.......... Like I Do...... <br /><br />That Boat is about the Cheapest in the World to work on.........<br />It's a Mod.1 outdrive, with a 250cid Chevy motor.......<br />You can buy Mod.1s on ebay for $300. to $500., All Day Long........ Granted, Some are Better than Others.., But a Cheap Gamble.......<br /><br />I Totally Agree with Everything said above...........<br />But, For Me, I've got a Yard Full of Project Boats...... Some Even Run......

 

[KaGee]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

Originally posted by f_inscreenname:<br /> Motors are basically car motors with marine bolt on’s. Outdrive will need special tool and money to fix. Just keep in mind a “project boat” is a life changing event. Its like having a baby, it takes all your money, keeps you up at night and you keep going back for more. If you buy it be ready.

You just described boat ownership!

 

[KaGee]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> But...!!!!!!<br /><br />I Totally Agree with Everything said above...........<br />But, For Me, I've got a Yard Full of Project Boats...... Some Even Run......

Bondo... and your wife says....??<br />

 

[Badger999]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

DONT PAY MUCH FOR THAT BOAT. No more then a few hundred bucks. That way if you get sick of it you can part it out for your money back. You can get a lot of boats like that for Free just to haul them away. Don't beleive me? Just put an ad in your local paper asking for a free old project boat and see how many you get. <br />Still it might be a fun project but you will NEVER stop working on it Good luck

 

[Bondo]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

Bondo... and your wife says....??

No Wife.....<br />Single, No Kids all my Life.....<br />Live-in Lady friend Loves to Fish, Go Slow Boating, Go FAST Boating, Canoeing, <br />And, Helping me work on Boats......<br /><br />I Think she'd Love Me,+ my Hobbies,<br />Even if I was a Turd Collecter..............

 

[deputydawg]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

Thanks for the feedback. The only question I have left is can the engine be locked if the outdrive is froze? Isn't there a transmission that when in neuteral would allow the engine to turn free?<br />I can get this boat for almost nothing. I am selling an old boat for the same price I am paying for this one, so no out of pocket expense and no loss to me. It has enough stuff with it ie: two new props, a fish locater, skiis, wakeboard, and good covers to sell and make money off of the deal if it goes to crap, not to mention parts if I parted it out. <br />I do turn wrenches for a hobby now. It used to be full time for me, but that took the fun out of it. I have a few money pit projects already in the form of classic cars half restored, a hot rod used strickly for drag racing, a stock car and kids. But a few hundred into a project is better than paying for therapy. Time in the shop getting dirty is a great escape from my everyday world. I am a criminal investigator for the past few years assigned to sex crimes against children, so I need projects. <br />Anyway thanks a bunch for the feedback. <br />So that outdrive would probably be a mod 1? That is also a big help. <br />Thanks again everyone.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

One more dumb question. Is the mod 1 outdrive the same as an alpha 1 gen 1? I am finding a bunch of these on Ebay, but nothing that says mod 1??? <br />This is way confusing.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

I am a criminal investigator for the past few years assigned to sex crimes against children, so I need projects. <br />Boy do you need a release, [projects] I couldn't do your job, and my hats off to you. It takes a special person to do your job and not go nuts.<br />I see engines "locked" up like this all the time,and if it is surface rust on the rings, it will turn loose, just take your time and don't try to get it running to quick.<br />Go to auto zone and get 4 cans of their rust penetrating oil [brown can] remove the plugs and drown the combustion chamber, let it set a day and go back and do it over again. Then try rocking the engine back and forth with the balancer bolt. Gently of course because you can ring off the bolt. <br />Big question what will the boat be worth when you get through with it?

 

[Bondo]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

The only question I have left is can the engine be locked if the outdrive is froze?

Yes......<br />The Clutch,+ Transmission part of the drive is on the Prop Shaft......<br />All the drive turns With the motor, Except the Prop Shaft.......<br />There's 6 Nuts on the back of the drive,<br />Them and the 2 on the ends of the trim rams,+ the Drive is Off......<br />Then you can decide wether it's the motor, or drive.......<br />I'll bet Anything that it's got the Model 1, or "R" drive on it(2 names, 1 drive)......<br />Go here,+ have a Look;<br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm <br />You might want to surf that page alittle....... LOTs of Good Info there.........<br />

Is the mod 1 outdrive the same as an alpha 1 gen 1? I am finding a bunch of these on Ebay, but nothing that says mod 1??? <br />

I find Many people list Mod.1s as Alpha 1s on ebay...... <br />Most of them Don't Know the Differences(check out that link,+ You Will Know)...........<br />Others are Hopeing that the buyer Doesn't know.........<br />The Top Bearing Cap is the Easiest Give-Away........<br /><br />I also tip my hat to you...... Your Day Job Really Sucks.... Get 'em Off the Streets,+ Keep them Away from the Web.........<br /><br /> <br />Go for It..........<br />We'll All be here to Help Out......<br />The Only "Dumb" Question,<br />Is 1 Not Asked....................

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: questions re:buying a project boat

I recently brought back to life a '78 20' Grady White with the Mercruiser 165 IL6 and "pre-Alpha" outdrive. I rebuilt the entire engine ( bored out 0.030, new pistons, rings, bearings, oil pump, lifters, etc...). I bought an outdrive on ebay but it came apart pretty fast (lower unit went), I purchased a gear/bearing set online and rebuilt the lower unit and resealed the entire drive. This season I haven't had any problems with the engine or outdrive. I even installed a custom FWC system! <br /><br />I have to say that I would not have been able to complete all the work I did without this site and the guys on here. They are very knowledgeable and are willing to share their knowledge. <br /><br />I want to send a special thanks to bondo again....he played a big part in my project and I'm glad to see he's still here in case I need him!