454 been sitting around for 2 years

[n618ft]

I bought my first boat (26' sea ray cruiser) and it's got a 454 that was rebuilt about 2-3 years ago, run for a while (enough to break it in and then some), then left sitting around in the water and then on a lift at the dock. It's been run lately (just briefly) on the lift just to make sure everything worked. Other than engine/outdrive oil change and fuel stabilizer (sea foam?), what else should I do for this engine before I take it on a 20nm trip to my dock? I tried searching but couldnt find anything specific to the 454. I'm just concerned about the salty moisture!

 

[erikgreen]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

Looks like you have freshwater cooling there.

Most likely it's fine, but the experts will chime in. I'd personally be looking at doing the maintenance that's been skipped, check/replace the manifolds, and examine the water intake system for any corrosion.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

Nothing specific for a 454 necessarily, just basics like replace impeller, check antifreeze, top off power steering, replace fuel filter, filling up with fresh fuel will reduce bad effects from older fuel, charge battery or replace, check operation of all gauges especially temp and oil pressure.....test everything on a shorter trip first.

 

[n618ft]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

Nothing specific for a 454 necessarily, just basics like replace impeller, check antifreeze, top off power steering, replace fuel filter, filling up with fresh fuel will reduce bad effects from older fuel, charge battery or replace, check operation of all gauges especially temp and oil pressure.....test everything on a shorter trip first.

The impeller kits are just for the water cooling pump right? What about the salt water intake pump/system? And the outdrive - should be fine as long as the oil comes out clean I assume?

 

[Maclin]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

The impeller kit I meant would be for the seawater pump. I am not sure what drive you have, but it could be in the outdrive or on the front of the engine driven by the crank.

If the seawater pump is in the outdrive then you will have to change out the drive oil to install the impeller kit anyway because you have to remove at least the lower unit.

 

[JustJason]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

where is the boat located? has it ever been subjected to freezing weather? has it ever been winterized?
I'd check the engine oil, the drive oil, and the ps fluid... if it all looks good i'd fire it up right there and at least look for leaks/cracks before anything.

 

[n618ft]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

where is the boat located? has it ever been subjected to freezing weather? has it ever been winterized?
I'd check the engine oil, the drive oil, and the ps fluid... if it all looks good i'd fire it up right there and at least look for leaks/cracks before anything.

Florida

 

[JustJason]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

what part.... still freezes in ocala occasionally..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

You should change the oil and oil filter and change out any fuel filters.

Before starting an engine that has been sitting that long I would have removed the spark plugs and squirted oil in each cylinder as well as removed the distributor and primed the oil pump. Since it has already been started recently, you can probably skip these steps though.

 

[n618ft]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

what part.... still freezes in ocala occasionally..

Merritt Island

 

[dcg9381]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

I'd run that sucker around the marina for at least an hour, after you complete the fluids change.

After that, run it for 20-40 minutes "at speed" just outside the marina.
I think if you're going to have problems soon, you'll have 'em in that window...

 

[n618ft]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

I assume this thing's service manual #6? 1988 SeaRay 268 weekender express...

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

Now would be a good time to post your Drive (Alpha?) engine serial numbers.

#6 is possibly for the drive. http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

Don't know about your engine. maybe #16 http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/16/16cov2_1.pdf scroll down to page iii and see if your serial is covered there. everything Mercruiser is determined by serial number.

I assume this thing's service manual #6? 1988 SeaRay 268 weekender express...

 

[n618ft]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

I just bought the shop manual for it... the tag on the valve cover has the following number for the engine... 0C473052... what the heck does that mean?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

Well,

maybe 16 is not the right one.....It starts at OD...

I don't think the correct manual is posted on BF... You'll have buy a manual I suppose. There's usually used ones on ebay etc.....One of the Mercruiser techs here should be able to tell you which manual is correct...

I just bought the shop manual for it... the tag on the valve cover has the following number for the engine... 0C473052... what the heck does that mean?

 

[n618ft]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

Well,

maybe 16 is not the right one.....It starts at OD...

I don't think the correct manual is posted on BF... You'll have buy a manual I suppose. There's usually used ones on ebay etc.....One of the Mercruiser techs here should be able to tell you which manual is correct...

I got the stern drive shop manual for 1986-1994...

Ah one more thing... I'm about to change the outdrive oil with some synthetic gear lube... I think the Bravo One uses just a bit more than 3 quarts... either way, from that picture does it look like I have an additional reservoir? The reservoir in the top left is just the power steering right?

 

[Don S]

Re: 454 been sitting around for 2 years

That 0C473052 number is the Mercruiser SN of the engine. That is the number you use for about anything. However, seems that number is wrong. Could be just a wrong or transposed number. Give it a recheck.
The outdrive is a Bravo, so you actually need manual #11 for it.
What year is your boat?