Recent content by ftl900

  1. ftl900

    Who lives in the JAX area??

    We're considering moving north to Jacksonville (Florida) because the job market there is better for me. So I'm looking for info on which parts of town are better to live in, and which parts may be less desirable and should be avoided. Right now, I'm leaning towards the south side, Mandarin...
  2. ftl900

    AQ231B needs new impeller...

    I know my motor has a raw water pump mounted on the front of the crankshaft. My question is, does it also have an impeller mounted on the outdrive lower, as in many other I/O models?? Or does it just pull water in via the crank mounted pump, and spit it out with the exhaust? I have looked...
  3. ftl900

    Do your holiday plans include boating??

    I hope everyone will have a happy and safe holiday weekend, and I'm wondering how many people will get out on the water over the next few days while celebrating the holiday. We wanted to be using our boat by now, but older boats are frequently a work in progress, and with me hospitalized for...
  4. ftl900

    Can't find enging serial number or data plate

    Today I looked across the front and the back of the engine block, right below the valve covers front and rear, and can't find a serial number or anything at all- no marks in the block, and no sign of a data plate or anything at all. I've been told it was a 5.7, and told it was a 5.3, altho I...
  5. ftl900

    What engine model is this?

    Here is what I know: The PO said it was a V8 5.7 liter and it was previously identified here as a GM model. It had been started several times for 30-45 seconds at a time with no water input. Here is what I think I know: After downloading and reading several PDF manuals, by process of...
  6. ftl900

    New but learning

    As I've said before, I have had 3 boats prior, but not for very long each time - less than a year for two used boats, and about 2 years for the single new boat. I haven't done much of anything in the way of maintenance, and now we have a 1988 Imperial 230 CC with a GM 350cid/5.7L that pretty...
  7. ftl900

    Maiden Voyage x2

    We bought the boat last weekend and hadn't had it in the water yet. SO we were pretty excited to take it out to a local lake and launch it. We slipped it into the water, parked the truck, pushed off from the dock... and the boat wouldn't go into gear. After about 30 minutes of screwing with...
  8. ftl900

    Boat ramp info or database?

    I actually used the SEARCH function- I was hoping to find a thread or section on local boat ramps and thought maybe I'd find pics, description, location, size, and any other pertinent details. Is this a worthwhile idea, or a waste of time?? I have a new (to me) 23 ft I/O and need to test...
  9. ftl900

    New (1988) boat, need info on it

    We picked up a new boat yesterday, and we're very excited about it- a 1988 Imperial VC230 with a 5.7liter I/O. The outdrive is Volvo, but I have no idea who made the motor. It has starting issues, intermittent cranking. When the key is turned the starter either works fine, or nothing, but...
  10. ftl900

    How far out does your cell phone work??

    I'm new to boating on the Gulf of Mexico- all my previous experience was in Georgia lakes or intercoastal waterways. With our pontoon boat, I'm not (EVER) planning on going 25 miles out or anything, but I don't have a VHF or a kicker. We're still putting it all together as far as equipment...
  11. ftl900

    Control box issues... rebuild or replace?

    After a short and abortive maiden voyage, we brought our POS pontoon back home- I had little or no throttle in forward, and it only idled in reverse. At the boat launch, the boat started and idled a bit but wouldn't run over a minute or so. After taking it home, I couldn't get it to start at...
  12. ftl900

    Old boat, new owner, scissors trailer??

    I've never even heard of a trailer like this before, and now I own one. Couple of questions... it has a hand crank winch to raise and lower the trailer. Is there any good reason not to go with a small electric winch for that? Seems like a no brainer, but like I said, I have zero experience...
  13. ftl900

    Hook gauges up to Johnson 60HP?

    New owner of a very old pontoon boat, and it has a Johnson 60 on it... J60ELCEA to be exact. There are no gauges hooked up or even an ignition switch- just a mass of chopped wires under the console. Looks like most went to auxiliary lighting. I already contacted the local boat store for the...
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