How long before my engine falls off?

[78Galaxy]

Hey guys-

I have a 1963 Glasspar Tacoma 200 with the original Evinrude engine. I bought this boat from the original owner in Georgia (yep, even with the original invoice and title!), and the boat was well-maintained, and the engine was rebuilt in 2005 or 2006. I've had zero problems in the year or so I have owned it. I was leery of the transom, but it flexes only minimally, and sounds good when you rap it with a screwdriver. Nonetheless, it still has a *slight* wiggle, (but I can't tell if it is because I am putting too much pressure on the transom when I "check" it) and there are stress cracks, which I have pictured.

I love this boat, and I still keep in touch with the original owner who was a perfect stranger prior to my buying the boat. Thus, I am invested on more than a fiscal level in the maintenance of this vessel. I wanted to reupholster the seats this summer, re-cover the original bimini (which is very, very cool), and maybe spend a weekend throwing some fresh paint on it, however, if this transom looks like it is going to give soon, I don't want to spend a lot of time and money into it. I think I am being a little bit of an alarmist, however, I have never dealt with a transom issue before. Please have a look at these pics and let me know what you think. Thanks in advance, guys!

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

HUGE pics. Resizing, one moment.

Also, that gloss is silicon that I put in the cracks to prevent water intrusion.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

I wouldn't go on that boat.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

is it just me or a trick of the picture, but does that look like an incredibly small prop on a big engine?

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Did the original owner ever say he hit anything with the lower end of the motor...could have been a one time shot that made those cracks.... you could drill a small hole or two in the transom and see if the drill bit comes out with wet rotten wood.

how much movement are we talking? not sure how your testing it but your probably not putting more stress on it than the motor is under power so if it moves with you standing on the lower unit its certainly moving while under power.

Although I have never done it I have seen it documented in great detail and know a few people that have redone their transoms and on a boat that size its not a huge financial investment and might be a fun project for you to learn. If you really love the boat a soft transom doesnt have to be a death sentence.

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

is it just me or a trick of the picture, but does that look like an incredibly small prop on a big engine?

LOL!

It is tiny-ish, but not overly so. The boat runs well, and considering these boats have no foam in them at all, you feel every wave. I never push this thing very hard. It also came with a slightly larger prop, but it was chipped, so I used this smaller one instead. I don't know too much about prop dynamics though.

Did the original owner ever say he hit anything with the lower end of the motor...could have been a one time shot that made those cracks....how much movement are we talking? you could drill a small hole or two in the transom and see if the drill bit comes out with wet rotten wood.

Although I have never done it I have seen it documented in great detail and know a few people that have redone their transoms and on a boat that size its not a huge financial investment and might be a fun project for you to learn. If you really love the boat a soft transom doesnt have to be a death sentance.

No, he never hit anything, but, if you give it a little too much gas when in reverse, the engine literally sucks itself out of the water. The owner let me test drive the boat, and I did this. Naturally, after the momentum dies and gravity overcomes it, the engine slams downward. I got the impression from the owner that this was a rare occurrence, but that he had done it more than a few times over the past 50 years. In my mind, that could have caused it, or I would like to believe that.

As to movement - I don't notice much movement. My full 175lbs standing/slightly bouncing on the lower unit makes about half to three-quarters and inch of movement.

Moreover, bear in mind that these boats have curved transoms, so it is hard to tell if the transom is sagging or if it was just built that way.

Thanks for the encouragement by the way. I may redo the transom just because I don't want to have to repaint the boat again after I redo it in the future.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Yea...3/4" of an inch might be too much....you might have something going on there. It's probably been that way for quite some time and the chances of your motor falling off in the near future is probably slim but I would look into it sooner than later.

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Yea...3/4" of an inch might be too much....you might have something going on there. It's probably been that way for quite some time and the chances of your motor falling off in the near future is probably slim but I would look into it sooner than later.

Noted. Thanks for your help.

This will be my first big project. Can anyone point me to some resources as far as removing and storing an outboard motor? Can I remove one by myself?

Thanks, all. Again, this is a great little boat, so I don't mind spending a little time working on it. Should make the paint job a hell of a lot easier.

 

[JB]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

That transom is toast. It might go for a couple of years without seeming to get any worse, but it will collapse when you are 10 miles from the ramp in a thunderstorm. Or it might just drop your outboard in the middle of an Interstste at 70mph.

Go to the boat building and restoration forum and see how easy it would be to make her new before the season.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Looks like you have a classic boat and a classic motor. Don't let her die! Fix that transom!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

I noticed a nail in the top where there should be a screw. This (and other unsealed holes) is probably a source of water intrusion. Once in there, it rots away, plus expands with freezing. So when you rebuild be mindful of sealing everything.

The motor rising up on reverse won't hurt anything. Your motor might have a catch to prevent this. Just don't slam the gear from F to R or R to F; let the prop stop spinning.

Think about replacing the cable steering while you're at it, or at least replace the cables. If one breaks while you are moving with any speed, the boat veers, throws everyone out and possible flips. That's why you don't see it any more, unless you are a purist on restoration.

Get the right size prop; it will save your engine. What size is it, anyway?

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

I am with the other guys, and just fix the transom. they are not as bad as they seem to replace. A weekend of work and you could have it done.

If you are dead set on not replacing the transom, at the very least I would get 2 aluminum plates to brace the transom for the inside and outside of it to keep the transom from flexing. This might buy you a little time with the transom, but I would really just replace the whole thing if i were you.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

That transom is toast. It might go for a couple of years without seeming to get any worse, but it will collapse when you are 10 miles from the ramp in a thunderstorm. Or it might just drop your outboard in the middle of an Interstste at 70mph.

Go to the boat building and restoration forum and see how easy it would be to make her new before the season.

Thanks for your opinion. Not that I didn't believe Wilson, but it is always good to have more than one opinion and insight on a serious issue like this.

I'm going to check the resto forum now and see what I may need to do this weekend!

Looks like you have a classic boat and a classic motor. Don't let her die! Fix that transom!

Thanks for the encouragement. I think this is a great boat. I can handle most of the restoration, I imagine, but I wonder what to do about the windshield? I used some Meguiars'[sic] plastic cleaner which glossed it up a little bit, but it definitely has some internal cracks. I imagine I need to replace it, but where do I even start?

I noticed a nail in the top where there should be a screw. This (and other unsealed holes) is probably a source of water intrusion. Once in there, it rots away, plus expands with freezing. So when you rebuild be mindful of sealing everything.

The motor rising up on reverse won't hurt anything. Your motor might have a catch to prevent this. Just don't slam the gear from F to R or R to F; let the prop stop spinning.

Think about replacing the cable steering while you're at it, or at least replace the cables. If one breaks while you are moving with any speed, the boat veers, throws everyone out and possible flips. That's why you don't see it any more, unless you are a purist on restoration.

Get the right size prop; it will save your engine. What size is it, anyway?

The engine is a 75HP. I don't know about the size of the prop, but it is not as small as it appears in the pictures. As you can see, there is not much clearance between the lower unit and the prop blades, so that makes me believe that it is a reasonable size. Plus, I don't have to push the boat too hard to get up to a good speed, so I think it may be sufficient?

Anyways, I am a novice (this is my second boat, and my 3rd year as a boat owner) and I really, truly appreciate all the help and comments! Any additional info/links/resources would be appreciated!

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

If you are dead set on not replacing the transom, at the very least I would get 2 aluminum plates to brace the transom for the inside and outside of it to keep the transom from flexing. This might buy you a little time with the transom, but I would really just replace the whole thing if i were you.

Just my 2 cents.

Hell, I'd rather not replace it, but I will do what I must do. Thanks for the advice.

Another thing, guys, what suggestions do you all have regarding the steering wires? Where do I buy more from?

Also, I am bringing the boat to have the engine checked out/tuned up/oiled up because it is the preseason. Should I ask the guy to remove it and allow me to pick up the boat to work on the transom? Is there anything else I should have him look at?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

With a transom like that I would not take the boat off the trailer !!!!!
Fix her up, buttercup !!!!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Those stress cracks are because the transom is sagging outward. The absolute indicator is the crack in the splashwell. BEST repair would be replacing the wood however, if you don't want to invest that time, next best would be plating as in the attached photos.

The engine will not "fall off" yet, but transom definitely needs repairs. A sound transom should not move at all when you stand on the engine with all your weight. it should lift the front of the boat and still not "wiggle" at all.

Those old Rudes used a 10 inch prop--that's correct.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

LOL!

As to movement - I don't notice much movement. My full 175lbs standing/slightly bouncing on the lower unit makes about half to three-quarters and inch of movement.

Moreover, bear in mind that these boats have curved transoms, so it is hard to tell if the transom is sagging or if it was just built that way.

Curved transom? Have never seen a curved transom other than a rotted one. The stress cracks and your statement above all indicate that the transom is toast. Should be NO noticeable flexing in the transom. 1/2"to 3/4" is a huge amount.

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Those stress cracks are because the transom is sagging outward. The absolute indicator is the crack in the splashwell. BEST repair would be replacing the wood however, if you don't want to invest that time, next best would be plating as in the attached photos.

The engine will not "fall off" yet, but transom definitely needs repairs. A sound transom should not move at all when you stand on the engine with all your weight. it should lift the front of the boat and still not "wiggle" at all.

Those old Rudes used a 10 inch prop--that's correct.

Frank-

Thanks for your answer. I'd rather just invest the time in replacing the entire transom myself, but does anyone have a step-by-step resource for that? I found a lot of threads in the resto forum, but most of them are not instructional, but rather before and after photo montages (which are inspirational and cool as hell, but don't give a beginner like me the needed instruction).

What tools do I need? What materials? How do I get this dang engine off?

I'm going to get started next weekend, and hopefully complete it. I will throw some paint on this thing too.


I love the color on this Glasspar, so I may try to replicate it:

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

I've had a couple evinrudes of that vintage, a 60 hp and my current 80hp the props are small 10x9-1/4 is the norm. a larger diameter it hits cavitation plate, there's not much of a selection in those pin drive props.
Tear out that transom, the motor isn't too bad with another person to help lift it off, then just lean it up on something solid and tie it off for safe keeping.

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Curved transom? Have never seen a curved transom other than a rotted one. The stress cracks and your statement above all indicate that the transom is toast. Should be NO noticeable flexing in the transom. 1/2"to 3/4" is a huge amount.

I've seen quite a few. In fact, a search of this site reveals a couple of guys who had to replaced factory curved transoms. Looks like a member here also replaced the transom on a Tacoma almost the same as mine:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=205945&highlight=glasspar+tacoma

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=62416