1975 Aristocraft w/ 120 no start

[LaytenG]

I’ll keep this as brief as possible. I just bought a 1975 (ATL22876M75C) Aristocraft with the 120 for 300 dollars. I’m guessing people before me could not figure out why it won’t start. I’m stumped too. I am going to try neutral safety switch and shifter to make sure it’s going in neutral. I made sure the ignition switch is getting power to the yellow wire when I turn the key. The starter solenoid is getting power but obviously not leaving because it’s not getting the signal from the switch. I don’t have a thick enough wire to try and jump power straight to the starter to see if it turns. What else can I do? I appreciate the help in advance. I’ll add pictures. My ignition wiring is crazy. This is my very first boat but I have some mechanical experience. I can take more pictures if needed.

 

[airshot]

I see lots of corrosion on all the conections, all need taken apart and cleaned until nice and shiney !! Battery needs to be 12.6 volts minimum. Once all connections are cleaned and polished up nice use a voltmeter to follow the power. Make sure the wood skeleton of your boat is not rotted out before putting much money into the motor.

 

[LaytenG]

Battery is brand new and had the voltage. There is voltage where needed. I’m checking the neutral safety switch when the rain passes in a couple days. I did look up at the foam on the inside of the side cubby and when I push on it water comes out. It’s been covered so idk how it’s getting wet.

 

[airshot]

Battery is brand new and had the voltage. There is voltage where needed. I’m checking the neutral safety switch when the rain passes in a couple days. I did look up at the foam on the inside of the side cubby and when I push on it water comes out. It’s been covered so idk how it’s getting wet.

If the foam is waterlogged, then rhe wood skeleton will be rotted out. This skeleton supports the fiberglass so all the bad wood needs removed and fresh new string wood needs glassed into place. A messy, ugly, nasty job but some do it....

 

[LaytenG]

If the foam is waterlogged, then rhe wood skeleton will be rotted out. This skeleton supports the fiberglass so all the bad wood needs removed and fresh new string wood needs glassed into place. A messy, ugly, nasty job but some do it....

Okay I’ll deal with that after I figure out how to start the thing haha. Thank you. There’s barely any wood on it that I see. It all seems to be fiberglass.

 

[Scott Danforth]

with your new to you 50 year old boat, I would start by cleaning every wire connection with 150 grit so that they are shiny enough your mother-in-law would eat off them.

then trace the start wire from the starter back to the starter pilot relay and check there.

did you service the points? if not, when you do get it spinning, it probably wont fire until you service the points.

file the points
rough gap the points
use a dwell meter to set dwell
install distributor cap
start motor
set timing

 

[matt167]

Also have to have a GOOD set of points. A decade ago I had a ‘65 rambler American that used a similar Delco distributor to the marine engines. I thought $5 green box point’s would be okay. I ended up buying a few sets online.. those cheap points not only did not even adjust the same because they were actually manufactured differently. They plain wouldn’t let the car run right. I ended up buying a $20 set of blue streaks and the car never skipped a beat.

My money is on either bargain bin points or they need filed. The condensor could also be bad. I would verify the engine/ outdrive before proceeding with the boat.. Aristocraft was an iconic premium boat of the day. But they are wood structured like 95% of fiberglass boats built before 2000

 

[airshot]

Okay I’ll deal with that after I figure out how to start the thing haha. Thank you. There’s barely any wood on it that I see. It all seems to be fiberglass.

Because all the wood is buried inside the fiberglass. Over all these years, water has seeped into and thru the fiberglass and rotted the wood inside. Contrary to popular belief, fiberglass is not waterproof, except on the outside where the gelcoat seals it. Inside the boat, water will seep thru the fiberglass as there is little to no gelcoat. At least if you get the motor running, you can always sell that if the wood replacement is to big a job.

 

[LaytenG]

Because all the wood is buried inside the fiberglass. Over all these years, water has seeped into and thru the fiberglass and rotted the wood inside. Contrary to popular belief, fiberglass is not waterproof, except on the outside where the gelcoat seals it. Inside the boat, water will seep thru the fiberglass as there is little to no gelcoat. At least if you get the motor running, you can always sell that if the wood replacement is too big a job.

I see. Thank you. Yeah I might do that with the engine if the boat is junk.

 

[LaytenG]

Also have to have a GOOD set of points. A decade ago I had a ‘65 rambler American that used a similar Delco distributor to the marine engines. I thought $5 green box point’s would be okay. I ended up buying a few sets online.. those cheap points not only did not even adjust the same because they were actually manufactured differently. They plain wouldn’t let the car run right. I ended up buying a $20 set of blue streaks and the car never skipped a beat.

My money is on either bargain bin points or they need filed. The condensor could also be bad. I would verify the engine/ outdrive before proceeding with the boat.. Aristocraft was an iconic premium boat of the day. But they are wood structured like 95% of fiberglass boats built before 2000

Thank you I’ll look at the points. The problem is I’m not even getting a click at the starter solenoid.

 

[LaytenG]

I see. Thank you. Yeah I might do that with the engine if the boat is junk.

Will the boat sink if the wood is rotted or will it just be heavy?

 

[LaytenG]

with your new to you 50 year old boat, I would start by cleaning every wire connection with 150 grit so that they are shiny enough your mother-in-law would eat off them.

then trace the start wire from the starter back to the starter pilot relay and check there.

did you service the points? if not, when you do get it spinning, it probably wont fire until you service the points.

file the points
rough gap the points
use a dwell meter to set dwell
install distributor cap
start motor
set timing

Thank you sir. I didn’t service the points no. I just want to hear a click at the solenoid. I’ll get to sanding too though.

 

[matt167]

Will the boat sink if the wood is rotted or will it just be heavy?

Would you drive a car with a rotted frame? The likelihood of it sinking is there, but not as likely with a. I/O unit the transom seal breaks anyway. The lack of structure can also twist and crack the glass.

My parts boat/ engine donor is a 1986 4 winns that someone actually ran and horsed around with before I bought it. The bottom near the pad is all stress cracks, and the transom is as hollow as a cheap trailer bedroom door

 

[LaytenG]

Would you drive a car with a rotted frame? The likelihood of it sinking is there, but not as likely with a. I/O unit the transom seal breaks anyway. The lack of structure can also twist and crack the glass.

My parts boat/ engine donor is a 1986 4 winns that someone actually ran and horsed around with before I bought it. The bottom near the pad is all stress cracks, and the transom is as hollow as a cheap trailer bedroom door

Very true. I’ll have someone take a look at it to tell me for sure. Thank you.