1976 sea sprite 18' with 302

[rwelts]

Ok y'all. seen lots of advice so here's my request. I have a 76 sea sprite, sea gull model tri with the omc 175 plant. guy i got it off of had already redid the floor, started the carpet and basically did a nice job getting the boat looking nice. He did so, as I am assuming, he knew nothing about that big box in the back, LOL.

so, after getting the ol 302 running (can't believe how many firing order answers there were) I realized 3 problems. 1. trim system (electric pump) is bad.
2. bad knock when under throttle. very smooth and quiet at idle (bad lower end)
3. electric reverse coil is bad.

oh. great trailer.

so, I don't mind the rebuild and in fact some what enjoy it. in my shoes, however, what would you all do, is it worth rebuilding the 302 and lower unit or.....

thoughts?/

Rob

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1976 sea sprite 18' with 302

or.....

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

I'd suggest unloading it, hopefully for what ya got in it, or a Profit...
Then find a barge with Mercruiser or Volvo power....
That barge is a Dead Horse in more ways than 1....

Good Luck...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1976 sea sprite 18' with 302

If it wasn't an OMC, you'd probably be in decent shape, but it's gonna be fun getting the reverse coil/trim problems worked out. If you want to know the honest truth, unless you can find someone who can get the parts and/or work on the OMC stuff, I'd scrap the boat or go ahead and tear everything out of the back, rebuild the transom and put in a Alpha I/engine of your choice.

 

[rwelts]

Re: 1976 sea sprite 18' with 302

well thanks guys. for the question on the trim, easy fix already found the motor replacement. the parts for the lower end are quite plentiful, so I'm not sure about the lack of parts. getting to the coil is "entertaining" to be sure, however not a completely impossible.

rebuilding the transom, however, seems a much larger task than i want to take off on.

so , i will putter a bit and ponder its future, lol....

thanks for the input.