I went and checked out a boat I'm interested in last week. It's been sitting for about 4 or 5 years. The big question mark in my mind right now is the condition of the engine.
Some quick questions for those of you who know more about these engines than I do...although it looks similar to my old 8N Ford tractor motor!
The boat was on the hard and although I tried to crank it over to do a (...and I know it's not great) cold engine compression test, but was never able to get the engine to crank. Either an electrical or starter problem I think. I had power to the main terminal on the starter, but turning the ignition didn't even elicit a "click" from the bendix. I think maybe the starter relay (which I assume is part of the starter assembly) wasn't working.
Anyhow, from an external inspection the biggest thing which stands out are the totally corroded head bolts/studs at the very front of the engine. I suspect there was a long-term coolant leak which was allowed to drip in this area until the head bolts completely rotted out. Literally chunks of the nuts would come off in your hand. Sorry, but I had a camera malfunction and never got a great shot of them...but they're bad. You can just see one of them in the first picture below.
Here's a picture of the (I believe) thermostat cover and a few questions:
Any idea what the screw is on the back stud? Looks like a jury-rig fix to me. Broken stud maybe that the guy drilled through and tapped for a machine screw?
Looks to me from the white powder that the gasket here was leaking for a long time...maybe because it couldn't be tightened enough with the screw driver?
The plug looks a little rich to me...but not bad. It seems like somebody put new plugs and wires on it not long before it was taken out of the water (owner passed away.)
It wasn't encouraging that on the shelf above the engine were two spray cans of "Quick Start." One of them was almost empty.
Here's the "rat's nest" of wiring around the starter:
I suspect the alternator is not original...possibly an automotive part?
It's been upgraded with an electronic fuel pump:
There was no fuel in the tank or system...but should the pump "click" loudly and continuously when the key turned on? It did. I thought it should have just made a "whirling" type of sound like other fuel pumps. Maybe it's pooched?
...continued below...
Some quick questions for those of you who know more about these engines than I do...although it looks similar to my old 8N Ford tractor motor!
The boat was on the hard and although I tried to crank it over to do a (...and I know it's not great) cold engine compression test, but was never able to get the engine to crank. Either an electrical or starter problem I think. I had power to the main terminal on the starter, but turning the ignition didn't even elicit a "click" from the bendix. I think maybe the starter relay (which I assume is part of the starter assembly) wasn't working.
Anyhow, from an external inspection the biggest thing which stands out are the totally corroded head bolts/studs at the very front of the engine. I suspect there was a long-term coolant leak which was allowed to drip in this area until the head bolts completely rotted out. Literally chunks of the nuts would come off in your hand. Sorry, but I had a camera malfunction and never got a great shot of them...but they're bad. You can just see one of them in the first picture below.
Here's a picture of the (I believe) thermostat cover and a few questions:
Any idea what the screw is on the back stud? Looks like a jury-rig fix to me. Broken stud maybe that the guy drilled through and tapped for a machine screw?
Looks to me from the white powder that the gasket here was leaking for a long time...maybe because it couldn't be tightened enough with the screw driver?
The plug looks a little rich to me...but not bad. It seems like somebody put new plugs and wires on it not long before it was taken out of the water (owner passed away.)
It wasn't encouraging that on the shelf above the engine were two spray cans of "Quick Start." One of them was almost empty.
Here's the "rat's nest" of wiring around the starter:
I suspect the alternator is not original...possibly an automotive part?
It's been upgraded with an electronic fuel pump:
There was no fuel in the tank or system...but should the pump "click" loudly and continuously when the key turned on? It did. I thought it should have just made a "whirling" type of sound like other fuel pumps. Maybe it's pooched?
...continued below...
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