Newbie from SC

[mattbags]

Hello all,

First I must say this website and the people on it seem to be great. Lots of great info. I have been reading the last few days non stop to the point my eyes start hurting. I just purchased a 1996 caravelle with the 4.3 GL,and cobra sx outdrive. I got a good deal on it because it needs some work on the lower drive. The skeg has big chips in it which I can weld up. It also has a crack on both sides that look like they start around the front where the shaft starts. I can fix this also. My main issue right now is the shaft housing which is behind the prop is broken. I think it happened when it froze it pushed the shaft out and cracked it.

After using the search feature I still am a little confused.

My drive tag says its a SX cobra with a 1.79 ratio.

If I put a dual prop lower on it does it need to be the same gear ratio? Is there more stuff I will need to change to fit the dp lower drive on my upper drive?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Newbie from SC

Sounds like freeze damage in your lower. Repairing the chips in the skeg are one thing but any splits along the bullet also mean that any bearing races/clearances or tolerances , etc have been altered and lower may be junk. Unless you have all the special tools and manuals (factory) to pull the guts out of the lower and spec the drive welding along this area would probably not be good for the drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Newbie from SC

If I put a dual prop lower on it does it need to be the same gear ratio? Is there more stuff I will need to change to fit the dp lower drive on my upper drive?

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

The gear ratio is determined by the Upper gears...
A Duo-prop lower should bolt right on....

 

[mattbags]

Re: Newbie from SC

Sweet, thank you very much bond-0. I talked to the old owner of the boat and he said he didnt winterize it. He said all he did was put gas in it and drive it. So I have some stuff to go over and check this weekend. After I clear the snow off of it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Newbie from SC

I talked to the old owner of the boat and he said he didnt winterize it. He said all he did was put gas in it and drive it. So I have some stuff to go over and check this weekend. After I clear the snow off of it.

That's not good to hear. Hope you didn't get any serious freezes, or you could have a cracked block and/or manifold.

Might want to head up to the stickies at the top of the forum. There are links to the OEM service manuals up there too. Be sure to read about winterizing, cracked blocks, freeze plugs, etc.
For your service manual, you will need the full model number for your engine, year of your boat doesn't really tell you what year the engine is.

 

[mattbags]

Re: Newbie from SC

I have looked at the links and saved them. I bought one of the seloc manuals that covers the engine and has some of the drives. I still need to get the oem manuals for my collection. I am going to try to start the engine with it on the muff tommorrow when it gets a little warmer. From what I can tell the manifolds were drained and the block was also. I am going to do a comp. and leakdown test on it later this week. Are the oem manuals that much better than the seloc or clymer manuals?

 

[Don S]

Re: Newbie from SC

Are the oem manuals that much better than the seloc or clymer manuals?

Absolutely they are better. Unless all you need is knee pads, then the Seloc and Clymers are much better.
The OEM manuals are free to download, just make sure you get the right ones, if you aren's sure, ask. Just be sure to post the full model number or serial number of your engine.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Newbie from SC

Be sure to check the engine oil before AND after you warm it up.

The V-8 blocks tend to crack in the valley under the intake inside the engine.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Newbie from SC

The V-6 blocks crack in the valley too. 'nutcase