twocyclemania
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2010
- Messages
- 505
Just finished my winter project; a Chris Craft Challenger I had picked it up in a trade for a beat up 12 foot aluminum boat (also received a 5 Scott Atwater bail a matic in the deal). The coils were badly cracked but I epoxied them since they're pricey and hard to get; hoping to get lucky. The ignition system cleaned up well and I got spark to both cylinders. Cleaned up the carb also. Repainted the motor and today fired it up. It's running pretty decently (still needs some carb adjustment) but I noticed the head overheating. The exhaust port holes in the upper leg also seemed to put out dry exhaust (not with the water mixed in like you would expect). Anyway, I realized there was a drain plug at the bottom of the cylinder head. I took it out and it's bone dry inside. Ran it again with the plug out and no water. I poured water down the cylinder head drain hole and it came out at the water intake on the lower unit behind the prop. Did this to rule out any blockage like insect nests. Haven't tackled the pump yet but I'm assuming it's the water pump impeller. Anyone familiar with these motors and can offer advice would be appreciated. Also, anyone know where I can get a pump impeller. I looked on the Lee Holland Chris Craft site and he sells parts but I didn't see any water pump impeller. All in all the motor looks like it was not used much and has no corrosion. Probably run for the first time in 40 or 50 years. Anybody with any ideas? - thanks!
