Re: Bringing it back to life...
Hey there 'hole'!
As others have said before, you REALLY REALLY REALLY need to spend some quality time with your manual. Read over the whole engine section and get familiar with the components and how they work together. You don't have to understand every detail at this point, and you will probably reach 'information overload' before you're half way through if you try! I started the same way as you, looking at the whole package at once and thinking "Where the h*ll do I start?!?" and just jumping randomly from system to system and getting frustrated.
What you need to do is use a methodical approach, testing out each system by itself before trying to make them all work as a whole. I sat down and made a list of priorities (in my case, #1 was getting a seized engine turning
) and just walk through it. And IMHO, you should put REPLACE TRANSOM BOOT at the top of yours. It may have sprung a small leak last time, but it could SPLIT OR TEAR next time and that is a big @ss hole that boot is covering. A running engine is secondary if you're running the risk sinking each time you go out. Once I got the motor in mine to turn over, I bought a new boot before any engine parts. I didn't want my first trip out to be a 'Titanic" experience. LOL
After that, knowing that there is 'gunk' of any kind in the carb would call for a rebuild. The kits are not that much $$$, (IIRC mine was about $60-65 Cdn for a Holly 2bbl) and it is not too dificult to do. You need a clean area to lay the parts out on as they come off. I tend to lay mine out so they look llike the exploded view diagrams.
Helps to keep track of any teeny parts that like to roll away when you're not looking.
After that I would work my way through the rest of the fuel system, including pumping out the tank to make sure your not going to suck up more cr@p into your newly rebuilt carb. Then move on to your electrical system, cooling, etc. The piece of mind you get from thouroughly going over every system yourself and KNOWING what condition everything is in, instead of "well I fixed THAT, now what will go wrong next?" is worth the investment of your time.
Whew! Sorry for the long winded post! I just remember how I almost threw in the towel on mine until I got my hands on a manual and did alot of reading. It made the information and advice I recieved from this board much more usefull by allowing me to ask the right questions and be able to provide the correct information when asked for by the many pro's and verry experienced owners you will find here. Good luck and safe boating!
