Should trim/tilt motor sit in water? 1977/75HP Chrysler

[thomasando]

I bought a boat on the weekend. It has been very well cared for, and was previously owned by a family member who is very fastidious and a small engine mechanic. The motor is in excellent condition and has done only 170hrs since a full rebuild (which was quite a few years ago now, the boat has been largely unused for the last 10 years).

I took it out yesterday for my first run in it and noticed that while anchored, the tilt/trim motor was about 1" into the water.

The motor is mounted on a 1977 Monark Scorpion 4.4m fibreglass hull, and it's fairly low (water line to the hand rail - not sure what the dimension of that should be referred to, sorry!).

I'm not sure if it being in the water is likely to pose a problem or not? I'll try to get a photo next time I take it out.

The tilt/trim is apparently brand new, and had been sitting on the shelf of a marine parts store for a very long time. It does leak down slowly though when tilted, which is something I guess I'll have to look at fixing eventually (lots of good info on this site by the looks!).

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Should trim/tilt motor sit in water? 1977/75HP Chrysler

They are supposed to be water tight???
Drifting down usually means the hyd part of the unit needs a rebuild.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Should trim/tilt motor sit in water? 1977/75HP Chrysler

Mine sits in the water too when I'm not under way.

 

[thomasando]

Re: Should trim/tilt motor sit in water? 1977/75HP Chrysler

Thanks guys - nothing to worry about then!

I'm taking the boat over to an island on holidays next for a couple of weeks (towing it over and putting it in the water there) - I hope the tilt can hold out until I get back. It's only dropping slowly at the moment.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Should trim/tilt motor sit in water? 1977/75HP Chrysler

Mine used to drift down slowly too. I just took a short piece of lumber and stuck it under the motor right where it pivots up and down to hold the motor up until I fixed it.

 

[thomasando]

Re: Should trim/tilt motor sit in water? 1977/75HP Chrysler

Mine used to drift down slowly too. I just took a short piece of lumber and stuck it under the motor right where it pivots up and down to hold the motor up until I fixed it.

Hey that's a good idea. I've got a stay for the motor which attaches to the trailer, which is fine, but when launching/retrieving it's a bit impractical to leave the stay on - if it gets to the point where it drops too quickly to get it safely up and down the boat ramp then I'll do this, too!

 

[waiddog]

Re: Should trim/tilt motor sit in water? 1977/75HP Chrysler

I used a lucas oil product, power steering stop leak and it has helped mine out from fading down quickly. I want to rebuild it but have not found the kit.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Should trim/tilt motor sit in water? 1977/75HP Chrysler

avoid additives. the leak down is caused by small seals inside the pump. the large seals in cylinders will last another 10-15 years if you don't harm them with softeners, solvents, or water exposure.

the wood blocks worked awesomely well for me. I tied a rope onto them (twin engine). Once in the water i could tilt up and pull rope. If I forgot to hold rope then the wood floated.

the trim system is watertight. As long as the water level stays at or below the filler plug then you are okay. If it goes above the filler then you risk higher probabilities of both rust and water intrusion. If your trim system sits in the water then you should avoid wet storage (keeping boat docked up in lake for summer).