Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

[argeaux]

I picked up this boat three years ago at an auction. It's been a long, hard road getting this 1977 19' Cobalt back running - cracked engine block and a rebuild and being held hostage by the local boat repair guy. The last piece seems to be this trim/tilt motor that stopped working...

Here are pics:

I would like to complete the repairs myself but am not sure what the proper part number would be. I get a few different part numbers from various sources. If I can swap out the whole assembly, it might be best - I am new to messing with hydraulics though. I think the trim motor itself is part # ARC6217 and possibly the whole assembly is MER93247A7 but I also see a reference to J1171 - and found a few sources on eBay for used assemblies much cheaper than ordering a new unit.

I'm open to advice on the best approach here for a neophyte. I'd rather pay a little more and get something new, but there's a huge difference in price between the used stuff I see on eBay and what I can get from a parts house. How should I handle this? And do I have the right parts/ part numbers?

This is a really beautiful boat that's been sitting in someone's barn for 10+ years and I am looking forward to putting her back in the water - any help is appreciated!

 

[Don S]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Head up to the Adults Only sticky at the top of the forum.
Then find the Merc manuals and download the OEM service manuals for your engine and outdrive. Manual #2 should cover both, and has wiring diagrams and repair info for the trim system.

 

[argeaux]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

I'm working on that.... do you know if my engine is an alpha one, or what the naming convention might be?

 

[Don S]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

If it's the original drive, it's known as a One drive.
They were used from 67 to 82 when the R drive started. then the MR and the Alpha finally in 86 thru 90.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

I also see a reference to J1171 - and found a few sources on eBay for used assemblies much cheaper than ordering a new unit.

Ayuh,...

The J1171 is nothing more than an approval # for electric motors used in boats...

The Easiest Fix for your's is to replace it with the New style, with the plastic tank...
They have the reverse lock built in,+ you can trash the funky reverse lock you have mounted to the transom...

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

That is a really great looking 77.
I would buy an ebay pump if I could not fix what was wrong with my pump.
What is wrong with your pump ? Does the motor work ? not enough pressure ? Bad solenoid ?

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Wiring disconnected ?
Trim limit locking it out ?

I want to know more about the reverse lock and those funky hoses going to the transom mounted throttle/shift control mechanism.
My 77 has the exact same set up (worked when I took it apart trim limit/sender wiring looks real flaky and are getting replaced.
I layed the pump off to the side when I pulled the engine only to find I could have left it mounted. I'm LEARNING.

 

[argeaux]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

The trim motor was working. I put the boat in the water for the first time, but then it didn't work when it came time to raise the outdrive and put the boat back on the trailer. They originally replaced a solenoid (or so I was told - I've come to realize the local dealer said a lot of stuff that didn't necessarily turn out to be true). When I brought the boat back, his people apparently disconnected everything and then said I needed a whole new motor and wanted $600.

I decided rather than wait another 8 months to have it fixed, I'd take it back with me and try to get the parts and replace it myself. I don't know exactly what's wrong and haven't looked at it - right now I'm exploring what my options are with the parts, and trying to get some printed version of the service manual that I can study and get up to speed.

 

[argeaux]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Ayuh,...

The J1171 is nothing more than an approval # for electric motors used in boats...

The Easiest Fix for your's is to replace it with the New style, with the plastic tank...
They have the reverse lock built in,+ you can trash the funky reverse lock you have mounted to the transom...

I was wondering about this... whether the newer ones are compatible, because it seems like they're cheaper than the older ones.

Do you have a link to a good source online for a replacement? I don't mind replacing the whole assembly if it'll mean one less thing to have to mess with later.

 

[Don S]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Why don't you just download the OEM manual to your computer, then print the pages you want.
Not being able to see what you have there, Does the drive go up with the trailer buttons? Does the solenoid click and the motor not run? What exactly are the symptoms.

 

[argeaux]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Nothing happens when the buttons are pressed. The repair guy said the motor seized up and was shot.

It worked going down, but then wouldn't work going up or down after I got it in the water.

I did download the PDF manuals and will go over that as well. That's a wonderful service you all offer, especially since those files are freakin' huge. It is much appreciated.

I'm probably going to dive into working on the boat in about 3-4 weeks.. Right now I'm gathering information and trying to figure out what parts to get. I am leaning more towards replacing the unit than going through trying to figure out which component is bad because the boat is so old. I'd rather not have to mess with any more trim problems. When I first put it in the water, the water temp was something like 40F so having to climb into the water and winch the outdrive up was not fun.

 

[Don S]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

I think you have 3 wires coming out of the trim pump. Black, blue, green.
Disconnect the 3 wires and with a jumper wire go directly to the battery. Black on negative terminal and either the blue (up) or green (down) on the positive. If it doesn't work then the motor is bad.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Nice boat argeaux. I really like the classic configuration. From appearances it appears to have had very little use. I think that Cobalt was a solid brand as well.

What motor do you have in it and what did you have to give for the boat?

 

[argeaux]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Nice boat argeaux. I really like the classic configuration. From appearances it appears to have had very little use. I think that Cobalt was a solid brand as well.

What motor do you have in it and what did you have to give for the boat?

I paid roughly $1200 for the boat at an estate auction. Then found out it hadn't been winterized and the block was cracked. It took me two years to find a replacement engine and have it installed. So far I've put a total of about $5k into it - I figure its resale value may be around $7k so I'm trying to not blow too much more... at least until I can get it reliable and solid and squeeze some actual enjoyment out of it. Here are some pictures when I first got the boat before I cleaned it up - what's pretty amazing is the condition of the upholstery considering how old it is:

This is the original motor..

Ironically, the boat took more damage sitting outside at the dealers place than it did all the years before, so I finally said enough, and brought it back to my garage and want to finish the refurbishment myself.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Yep, that's a winner argeaux. I didn't realize it was a bowrider as well and plenty of poop with that V-8. Those classic shaped boats had a lot more floor space in them than a lot of these newer swoopier models.

Lottsa room for partying on the bounding main.

 

[argeaux]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

I have to take some pictures after I cleaned it up - I armor-all'd everything and treated the teak with oil and re-varnished all the wood. It looks a lot nicer now.

If I can just get it running in the water... hehehe

I need a good source for a trim motor assembly that will work. If the newer ones can be swapped in, that would be ideal - who has a good online source at the best price?

 

[Don S]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Please guys, if you want to talk about the boat, head for the Boat topics forum. Engine and drive problems are what we deal with here.

Have you checked anything on your trim pump ???????????????

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Real survivor there, love the upholstery color and pleating.
WWW.AMARKET.COM is about the cheapest out there and they want $450 for the new style pump with a tank and solenoids.

You might try a used original style pump/res/sol for $100 on ebay, there was a guy on ebay who claimed to be a trim pump guru and was selling new and used trim pumps for what seemed like a reasonable rate and stressed that he prided himself on great customer service.

 

[argeaux]

Re: Help with trim/tilt motor - last piece for resurrection

Does anyone have a part number for a compatible assembly?