'79 Searay 240SRV in storage too long

[soak 'n fused]

Hi boaters- I have owned a 79 24 ft. Searay since '94. I bought it off blocks next to the St. Croix river in Stillwater,MN. I eventually pulled out the old 305 small block and replaced it with a brand new '97 350 Mercruiser which helped it out tremendously. I then bought a 28 ft. Spartan tandem-axle trailer for 2800.00 Imagine I could have bought the same trailer from a marine store for 5400.00 I have invested a lot of time and money into this boat: this is the problem- I put it into storage 4 years ago and want to go get it. I did stabilize the gas and other winterizing. I want to get it running and want to know how do this the proper way. It doesnt have a fuel cut-off near the engine. I plan on installing one. This boat has only maybe 15 hours on it and it isnt even broke in. HELP! The gas tank holds 80 gallons but there is maybe 20 gallons in it now. If I need to drain the tank, how would I go about it? Thanks everybody!

 

[Don S]

Re: '79 Searay 240SRV in storage too long

BEFORE even crank the engine over a quarter turn, Remove the distributor and operate the oil pump for a while to get oil back on all the bearings. Then put the distributor back in the way it came out.<br />Now you can crank the engine over if you want.<br /><br />After 4 years, you need new fuel, even if it did have stabilizer in it. I would even disassemble and clean the carb. It's bound to have some plugged up passages, sticking needle & seat etc. Or you will be fighting it till you finally do.<br />Also get rid of the fuel, 20 gallons ain't worth the problems it can cause.<br /><br />Do a tuneup, plugs with fogging oil on them don't run as well as new ones.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: '79 Searay 240SRV in storage too long

There's a couple of effective ways to drain the <br />tank.<br /><br />If you think there's debris in the tank and you can expose the gage sender, you can remove the sender(get a new gasket) and use a clear plastic siphon hose to "vacuum" out all the fuel and most of the debris/water. Just tip the bow up a little and place the drain container on the ground with a long enough hose to reach (just make sure your container is big enough to capture all the fuel or have a helper switch containers for you before you fill them up....this way you only have to start the siphon once.<br />(DO THIS OUTSIDE WITH PLENTY OF VENTILATION!!)<br />And of course.......NO SMOKING/etc<br /><br />If you don't think there's any debris in the tank you could use an electric fuel pump to suck the fuel out via the existing fuel line. This is not as safe since you need to connect the fuel pump to a source of electrical power.(you don't want any sparks.) You could also siphon thru the fill tube but it's not easy to get the hose thru the fill tube if it makes a long run to the tank with a lot of bends...There's usually a fitting on the top of the tank(under floor tanks) that is a 90 degree bend and your siphon hose will sometimes get stuck there.<br /><br />You can also siphon thru the fuel line if there's no anti-siphon check valve at the tank fitting(required by USCG on fuel systems that have fuel lines that will go below the fuel level of the tank) Most fuel systems have them and fuel will not siphon thru the fuel line if they are installed.<br /><br /><br />Regards, <br /><br /><br />Rick

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: '79 Searay 240SRV in storage too long

moos----that St. Croix is the cleanest river I have ever seen. I boated up there last summer and did not want to come home! We went down to where the Mississippi River joins and it was like night and day where the "mud line" from the Miss. meets the clean north water.<br /><br />I am with the others on dumping the fuel. It might be easier if your tank is in a spot where you can remove it. I might even replace it with a new tank.

 

[Don S]

Re: '79 Searay 240SRV in storage too long

I might even replace it with a new tank.<br />

Do you also change your oil pan when you change your oil?

 

[Bondo]

Re: '79 Searay 240SRV in storage too long

you could use an electric fuel pump to suck the fuel out via the existing fuel line.

Ayuh,........ That's the Easiest Way.......

 

[bamadave]

Re: '79 Searay 240SRV in storage too long

Electric fuel pump with copper tubing so you can reach the corner of the tank, where all the crud ends up. Insert thru the fuel sender hole. Plastic tanks today do not need replacing because of old fuel, only if it leaks.