'93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

[jcbache]

I found this 19' Fisher SV 19 I/O with the 4.3 already removed. The Alpha is still bolted up. This is a '93 boat and is welded aluminum. No rivets! This thing is built like a tank! I can buy it for $500 sitting on a nice trailer. I do get the old motor ( though I havn't seen it yet) which the previous owner took out and stuck in his shed. I like the fact that it has all aluminum stringers and decking. Every boat I look at for under $5k seems to have some rot. The only wood in the entire boat is a transom piece that is in excellent condition. Question- How difficult will it be to re-power this thing? I can pretty much do anything with a car ( that's what I do for a living) but I have very little experience with boats. I've got about $3k to spend on this project. Any guidance would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[fishrdan]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

$500 for the boat and another $2500 in the budget to repower it with a 4.3, sounds do-able to me. A truck 4.3 would fit the bill if on a tight budget. What's wrong with the old engine. If it has a cracked block (freeze damage) I would suspect the manifolds being bad also ($$$). If they said the engine was locked up, I'd wonder if it was the drive being locked up and not the engine...

How is the interior, and other things that will need to be fixed?

 

[Teamster]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Pictures man,.........

We need pictures!!!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Sounds like a heckuva deal to me, just make sure the paper work/title is all there.

Not much difference between a car motor and an I/O except for the marine electrical and cooling system, a repair manual in your hands and you should be good to go.

 

[Luke000]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Here's some pics. These are the only pics I have right now. The helm seat is pretty much toast. The two other pedestal seats are also in the shed ( which I haven't had access to yet). The story is (coming from the wife-- hubby is out of town for a few days) that the boat "needs and engine 'coz the old one is bad". It hasn't run in three years. The original carpat is pretty bad , but man it was nice to feel a solid aluminum deck under my feet! Under the engine hatch was stuff like the y-pipe(?) and power steering pump, and other mechanical debris that I haven't sorted through. The hull is cherry, and the trailer looks real good ( rollers and such, not rusty, springs and shackles and u-bolts good). The Alpha , and prop, look barely used.

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Well, the prop looks pretty well-used! When I saw the boat I remember thinking that the outdrive looked pretty darn shiny!

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Thank God I'm better at working on mechanical stuff than I am with computers! I should get my kids to help me....

 

[jigngrub]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

I don't see how you can go wrong for $500 for that boat.

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

I think I'll go buy it tomorrow. Do I need to look for any certain year(s) for a 4.3? I guess I'll know alot more about what's needed after I see the old motor. Probably wasn't winterized properly and cracked something. I'll take some more pics tomorrow.Thanks

 

[Teamster]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

At 500 buck's I'd buy it,......

You can always look for a trashed and cheap donor boat for a 4.3,.......

Or hang a bracket on the back and go with an outboard,...........That would blow your budget though,...

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Well, went up and talked to the owner. Saw the old 4.3 motor. Boat belonged to Bro-in-Law. Didn't get winterized three years ago, went out boating and it overheated badly ( "blew it up"). Brother-In-Law gave it to him to fix because he is a mechanic. He just doesn't have the time (or $$). Guy says manifolds are cracked, heads taken to machine shop and declared "no good". Heard enough at that point. Other seats look good, Owner says "transmeeshon is good". I made a handshake deal for $500. He has a '91 motor from a "peek up truck" that he pretty much left out in the rain uncovered ( think I'll pass on that!). Everything goes with the boat. The E-Z loader trailer looks almost new. Surge brakes. He said they had switched the trailer to the nice E-Z Loader, yet he doesn't have the title to it. He does have the title to the boat. I'll pay him and pick it up next weekend when he clears out the driveway of dead cars. So now I guess I'll start looking for a '96-up Vortec motor and buy some exhaust. Should I buy aluminum or cast iron? I will be using it in Chesapeake Bay sometimes ( saltwater). Thanks

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

couple more pics

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Consider a conversion to a closed water cooling system. Keep the occasional salt water on the exterior of the hull & outdrive only.

Since you have to replace the motor, make sure to check the motor mounts & transom very carefully. W/out the motor installed, replacing them will never be easier.

Congrats on the pending pickup.

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Thanks for the advice. I'd like to have a closed water cooling system , but from what I'm seeing for kit prices, that would be cost prohibitive. Even the Econo Kits cost more than the initial purchase price of the boat. I think I'll endeavor to flush the raw water cooling system with fresh water after running in saltwater. I'll definitely check the motor mounts and transom carefully while the engine is out. Fisher uses one piece of wood in the boat and that is what they call the 'transom support" board which is not sandwiched between aluminum sheeting like a Starcraft Mariner 220V I looked at last week (rotten transom and rotten plywood floor). It is readily visible from the engine compartment and looks to be in excellent shape, but I'll really inspect it before installing the new engine. Thanks again for your advice!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Might get lucky & find a donor boat w/ a closed system...

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

That would be great. I'm over here by the Potomac River south of Wash DC and there's lots of old boats around. I'll be looking....

 

[havoc_squad]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Thank God I'm better at working on mechanical stuff than I am with computers! I should get my kids to help me....

Meh, being good at working with computers is just a different form of persuasion. Mechanics persuade with tools and measured force to get stuff to work, those in the very complex areas of IT (software development, hardware engineering) just know how to persuade computers which take everything literally and don't listen to force or your complaints.

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

Here's how I see it.....Mechanic= Patience, visualization, logic , and a smattering of physics and natural sciences. IT= Same thing except a smattering of cryptanalysis instead of physics and natural sciences. Spend enough time on anything and you can become proficient!

 

[jcbache]

Re: '93 Fisher 19' I/O --Cheap But Needs 4.3 Replaced

OK! Went and picked up the Fisher today. The guy bumped me to $900. Said he had another offer but gave me first right of refusal at $900. No big deal. Her's some pics.