77' mark twain bowrider

[chillenthemost]

Hey everyone just joined recently and have a question.. Thinking about purchasing a mark twain 180v bowrider with a ford 302 mercruiser. The interior needs some love but everything else on the boat seems fine except for the exhaust manifolds.. first off i don't really understand how the manifolds play a part in cooling the engine on these boats. also the guy claims the engine was rebuilt 2 years ago and says it'll fire right up... would it be worth the hastle and the money to restore this boat or is it a boat to stay away from? Also what is the best quality for the money place to get parts for these boats?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 77' mark twain bowrider

Welcome to iboats.

Wow, quite a mouthful for a first post That is an old boat!

Where do you intend on using it? Has it been in saltwater? How is the hull? The deck? The transom?

Rebuilt engine 2 years ago??? Got receipts? Manifolds and risers are allot of money and critical. That engine is no longer used in marine applications..... and I imagine you also have the older mercruiser outdrive.

Will the current owner start the engine on muffs? Take compression tests.

Honestly, you would have to be in serious love with it to take that project on and the cost on your part could be huge!

 

[chillenthemost]

Re: 77' mark twain bowrider

Yea its probably only seen salt water i'm buying it from the easter shore of va and i live in md so i'll be using it in mostly salt water but could see some fresh water.. the hull and transom are in great shape from what i can tell.. like i said i'm new to this marine stuff but i'm a huge gear head when it comes to cars and have alot of engine knowledge. the seller said he would start it for me when i come to look at it. he has some reciepts from the rebuild he put new risers in it and said that because of the manifolds old age they'll prob need to be replaced i've looked into it a little doesn't seem too hard. the floor was recently fiber glassed aswell which i'm told by my mom who is a boat vet. is a good thing. It does have the old merc alpha1 drive on it. i'll post pics and give better descriptions once i go to look at it on saturday.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 77' mark twain bowrider

With it being a 77, it's possibly a pre-alpha drive, but it makes little difference really, the parts are just about the same. The MT's are good, solid boats, the manifolds should probably be removed and checked (pressure tested). I am still on the original manifolds on my '76, but it's been strictly fresh water only. While having the floor glassed is fine, it's only a bonus if the stringers were checked or repaired before they glassed it.

The exhaust manifolds don't have anything to do with cooling of the engine, that takes place from the raw water pulled in by the outdrive. The exhaust is combined with the water in the risers and then flows into the y-tube behind the engine and out through the outdrive.

My only recommendation is that you have the owner start it cold and listen to it idle, and test the transom. You can knock on the transom with a rubber mallet or just use your fist. Soft spots will sound hollow and may flex, if you find a soft spot I'd leave the boat.

 

[chillenthemost]

Re: 77' mark twain bowrider

alright guys got out and checked out the boat today and she was solid as a rock! guess the starter solenoid went bad or the switch cause she wouldn't crank over with the key. so we hooked the starter up directly to a battery and she turned but didn't start the plugs are bad most likely... she deff needs some work but for 500 bucks i think i got a deal. all the floors are good and the hull is solid just really really dirty and the interior is shot. gonna try and tinker with it this week pull the solenoid off and order a new one and see if that was it. and get new plugs wires and a cap. but heres some pics of the boat.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx52/trd3sgte93/IMG_0419.jpg
http://s741.photobucket.com/albums/xx52/trd3sgte93/?action=view&current=IMG_0418.jpg
http://s741.photobucket.com/albums/xx52/trd3sgte93/?action=view&current=IMG_0417.jpg

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 77' mark twain bowrider

Well she's definitely a bit rough, but if you can get her cleaned up and find all of the bits and pieces, you'll have a good boat. It looks like the outdrive has been spray painted to me, and is it me or is the starboard side of the outdrive missing the pin for the gimbal housing?

 

[chillenthemost]

Re: 77' mark twain bowrider

yes it is missing is that a critical part for the outdrive for cooling or anything of the sort?

 

[erpohto]

Re: 77' mark twain bowrider

I just bought the same boat. I am having trouble finding parts (bellows, wires, points, ect) for it. I don't understand the pre alpha thing and can not find any info online. my interior is amazing! the hull is solid as can be. I cant find parts for the stern drive and motor being my only issue.

-Eric