Seeking Some Sound Advice

[Arctic Sun]

Well I am at a crossroads as to what direction to go, I had purchased a 1977 Starcraft Islander 22V M IV 2 years ago, the boats overall condition I would say is excellent, she is tight clean and all original including the Mercruiser 3.7 Model 470 which is where I am seeking advice, the engine in my opinion is wore out and become unreliable ( not a good thing on Great Slave Lake ) and I am pretty sure there are folks on here who have already been down this road. As I had mentioned the boat itself is in exceptional condition, should I invest in overhauling my exsisting engine , purchase a remaufactured engine or sell her AS IS , pretty sure it is going to be expensive either way as I am located in Yellowknife,NT. Just seems to be a shame not to bring her back to life. Your comments please.

Cheers

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

Well the first thing to do IMHO is to find out if the engine is really worn out, or is just in need of some long overdue maintenance. Take the time to do a compression check. If you have good compression, there is no reason that the engine can not be made serviceable. If you have one cylinder (or two) that are low then a head gasket might do the trick. Without establishing the current condition of the engine, there is really no way to advise you. The lower end of those engines is pretty strong, and you can do a head gasket and valve job in a weekend. An engine swap would probably have you messing around for another 2 years, and for the price of a remanufactured engine you could get a newer boat in good condition. Anyway just my two cents worth. There is one plus for that engine in the great north, and that is you can use it during the colder months, because it only takes a couple of minutes to drain the heat exchanger to protect it from freezing.

 

[gm280]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

Well I am at a crossroads as to what direction to go, I had purchased a 1977 Starcraft Islander 22V M IV 2 years ago, the boats overall condition I would say is excellent, she is tight clean and all original including the Mercruiser 3.7 Model 470 which is where I am seeking advice, the engine in my opinion is wore out and become unreliable ( not a good thing on Great Slave Lake ) and I am pretty sure there are folks on here who have already been down this road. As I had mentioned the boat itself is in exceptional condition, should I invest in overhauling my exsisting engine , purchase a remaufactured engine or sell her AS IS , pretty sure it is going to be expensive either way as I am located in Yellowknife,NT. Just seems to be a shame not to bring her back to life. Your comments please.

Cheers

I am having a hard time understanding your situation. First you state that you purchased this boat 2 years ago and that it is in excellent condition. Then you state that the engine is in your opinion worn out. Those two statements don't go together. I mean if the PO did such great efforts to keep that boat in such great condition, why would the PO not do the regular maintenance to the engine as well...? So do a little investigation work on the engine and you may find that it isn't worn out but just needs a little maintenance work... You may be surprised...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

I am having a hard time understanding your situation. First you state that you purchased this boat 2 years ago and that it is in excellent condition. Then you state that the engine is in your opinion worn out. Those two statements don't go together. I mean if the PO did such great efforts to keep that boat in such great condition, why would the PO not do the regular maintenance to the engine as well...? So do a little investigation work on the engine and you may find that it isn't worn out but just needs a little maintenance work... You may be surprised...

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Ditto,...

Without compression, 'n leak-down tests, you have No clue as to the motor's general health,...

 

[Arctic Sun]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

I will do a compression/ leak down test to see where things stand.

 

[Arctic Sun]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

Better late than never, compression /leak down test indicated 2 bad cylinders, fluid obviously got into #4, further inspection revealed multiple issues with the engine, decision was made to replace it with a fresh rebuilt, new engine installed and initial set up completed and test ran in the shop, once we have ice out we will finish the set up under load. Bring on the warmer weather

 

[Bondo]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

Better late than never, compression /leak down test indicated 2 bad cylinders, fluid obviously got into #4, further inspection revealed multiple issues with the engine, decision was made to replace it with a fresh rebuilt, new engine installed and initial set up completed and test ran in the shop, once we have ice out we will finish the set up under load. Bring on the warmer weather

Ayuh,.... Glad to hear it, Thanks for stoppin' by, 'n lettin' Us know,....

Was it water from a failed riser/ manifold,..??

 

[Arctic Sun]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

#4 Cylinder was in pretty bad shape,alot of scouring,burnt exhaust valve, head gasket, #1 Cylinder, valve issue, #2 & #3 Cylinders where OK.Timing Chain was worn and was skiping. Unfortunately there is not a machine shop here in Yellowknife that can do engine work and I just didn't see the point of going into this engine any further so a fresh engine it was.

Cheers!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

did you inspect the riser and manifold, or did that come with the new engine?

 

[Arctic Sun]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

Those were removed from the old engine and installed on the new one by the Merc. Technician, he did all the assembly and install, I did see that he replaced the Shutter Valve and Bracket, Exhaust Bellows Assy and some other odds and ends before he would install the new engine.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

In my opinion you should purchase new riser and manifold as that may be what caused problems with the old one. I think its silly to not replace them with a new engine. I for one always wrote in big black letters on the invoice and then stamped on the block "No Warranty" if the customer wouldn't go with new manifolds and risers, or if they say "I'll install them later". Granted I didn't have any engine failures that I know of because of old manifolds, but like I said it's silly. Sorta like when Bondo goes to the latest James Bond movie wearing his tuxedo and driving up in a rented Aston Martin hopping out all suave n stuff opening the door for the Halle Berry stunt double actress he hired to spray herself in gold spraypaint and wear a Versace evening gown while they stroll down the red carpet to the opening premier of "Fix or let sink" an animated version of a secret boat repair agent in the British Shipyards with Her Majesties Secret Toolbox under his arm.


With Apologies to Ian Fleming.
Bondo too.

 

[Arctic Sun]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

What issues are caused by the Riser and Manifold? as I don't have any experience with inboard engines I paid a professional to install this new engine, he came highly recommended so I trust he knows his stuff, neither himself or the shop in Vancouver where the engine was built made any mention to replace these items. I appreciate your input.


Cheers!

 

[Walt T]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

If a manifold and or riser are cracked or rusted through water can be allowed into the cylinder through the exhaust valve possibly destroying your engine at worst and hydrolocking while trying to start at least. Turns motor oil into milkshake when water gets in and all sortsa purty stuff.

 

[Arctic Sun]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

Roger That, I will make a phone call tomorrow and ask the questions.

 

[old islander]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

Wow Walt, I had no idea Bondo was such a "Man about town". Thanks for sharin...

 

[Arctic Sun]

Re: Seeking Some Sound Advice

Merc Tech says everything was inspected prior to reassembly, says the engine was ran and everything is good to go ( purrs like a kitten ) and he will do the final set up once we can put the boat in the water in a couple months.