1989 3.0 Alpha 1 questions

[bigkahuna427]

Today I bought a boat that seemed to be too good to pass up. The history of this boat is it sat in a barn since 2005. The owner had purchased the boat and went into the Marines not having used the boat. When he got out he just let it sit there. I am going to go over the motor tomorrow and am not worried about that as I used to be a master auto tech but an outdrive is something I have never messed with and is foreign to me. Is there anything I should be doing with this given that it sat so long? One thing I noticed with the ear muffs on is water coming out about where the gimble is, is this normal?
Outdrive oil has been changed w no metal on either plug. Engine oil changed. One of the fuel filters changed. Fresh gas. The engine runs really good right now! I have not put it in the water yet.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Get the factory service manuals

Pull the drive , inspect the gimbal, u-joints, etc. Check the alignment. Change the bellows.

Pull the lower off and replace the water pump

Check the transom and stringers for rot

 

[bigkahuna427]

Get the factory service manuals

Pull the drive , inspect the gimbal, u-joints, etc. Check the alignment. Change the bellows.

Pull the lower off and replace the water pump

Check the transom and stringers for rot

From what I am finding this is excellent advice and probably regular maintenance. Thank you!

 

[nola mike]

Today I bought a boat that seemed to be too good to pass up. The history of this boat is it sat in a barn since 2005. The owner had purchased the boat and went into the Marines not having used the boat. When he got out he just let it sit there. I am going to go over the motor tomorrow and am not worried about that as I used to be a master auto tech but an outdrive is something I have never messed with and is foreign to me. Is there anything I should be doing with this given that it sat so long? One thing I noticed with the ear muffs on is water coming out about where the gimble is, is this normal?
Outdrive oil has been changed w no metal on either plug. Engine oil changed. One of the fuel filters changed. Fresh gas. The engine runs really good right now! I have not put it in the water yet.

Take it on a sea trial.

 

[bigkahuna427]

I am happy to report that after cleaning the carburetor filter, the carburetor, and fresh gas this boat runs like a champ. From what I can see of all the bellows those seem to be fine, and I did not pull the outdrive, because the impellers seem to be pumping water just fine. I will replace the battery however I have to tell you the battery that is in this boat has a date code of 2004. I have charged it and load tested it. While it does not pass a load test, the battery works sufficiently enough to start the engine every time. Another question I have after today’s very successful sea trial. Why does the steering on the boat turn to the port side by itself?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Highly recommend pulling the drive and checking alignment, and replacing the impeller and bellows.

Rubber parts only last a few years regardless if the boat sits or is used. A failed impeller will ruin more than a weekend