cracked engine, needs replacement

[santa666]

Re: cracked engine, needs replacement

DDboater, <br /><br />It was me. My OMC manual calls for NO anti-freeze, but a comprehensive draining procedure involving hoses and petcocks...<br />I was hurt during that timeframe, and thought an electric block warmer could buy me some time, but the **** thing failed, and now were here...<br /><br />As for the prop(s) the boat came with three props:<br />I see where one is (factory) stamped "12.5 cupped"<br />The other 2 I'll have to look at, but I think the "14X14" is the one I ran this last season making 24-27 MPH W/3000 a RPM on my tach. This seemed a little slow (who doesn't want to go FASTER!) I'd like to go at least 30 without revving the bejesus out of my engine.

 

[Walt T]

Re: cracked engine, needs replacement

Santa, listen to us. Do NOT take a boat out on Lake Michigan that has had a crack repaired. It's just not worth it.<br />I'm not going to argue about the stringer drive, It sounds like you have a nice boat. I'm sure you have to justify buying it and it's too late now anyway. I will say that I would not go out on Lake Michigan out of sight of land with a stringer. That's my opinion, you can take it or leave it.<br />If your engine is getting water in the oil, you cannot repair the cracks. <br />If I were driving my boat around a small lake I would probably fix a crack if I could. But no way in hell would I offer to fix a crack for any customer. The liability is just too great. <br />Sure you can get towed, but if a small craft warning goes up while your waiting you may need a rescue operation instead. Then your life, the lives of your passengers, the lives of the rescue crews and the lives of the people on the tow vehicle are then risked all for a few lousy bucks. <br />Go with the 350. You'll be happy with it.<br /><br />As far as your prop, what is the wide open throttle rpm? What size is your boat?<br />It would be unusual to get 3 more mph cruising speed unless you were way improperly propped.

 

[santa666]

Re: cracked engine, needs replacement

Dieselwalt, <br />Yeah, I'm sold on the 350. That's that. No goop (even though I crave 'Mallow fluff occasionally).<br />If I were a Fox River boater, or chain O'lakes, that might not be bad, but I'm into a more permanent solution. That crack may be too large for marine-tex anyway. LM doesn't suffer fools gladly. <br /><br /> SO, My boat is a 1971 SLICKCRAFT SS235 Please take a look at many examples of these boats at our group website: <br /><br /> http://groups.msn.com/70sSlickcraftownersgroup <br /><br />Its a cool site and all of the owners really LOVE their boats, especially NEED2SPEED, GEEZ, what a boat! Mines NOT like that. <br /><br />The boat is 23 feet long with a 8 foot beam. It weighs 3160# dry. It has dark tan seats and teak trim.

 

[Walt T]

Re: cracked engine, needs replacement

Chain O lakes! Fox lake! Been there! Had water fights goin through the canals! Great place, I love that whole area. I try to get there at least once a summer.<br />I don't see nuthin on that site but a buncha old abandoned boats. haaa Just yankin yer chain. Anyway once you get the engine swap all done try out the 14's see what ya get, go from there.

 

[santa666]

Re: cracked engine, needs replacement

I've only been on the fox once. It was for my test drive of the boat. It went well. I reserve my boating to more sober (and somber) Lake Michigan. I REALLY like being able to leave humanity behind. <br /><br />Fortunately, the salmon fishing is better there too.

 

[Badger99]

Re: cracked engine, needs replacement

350 is a great engine. Power to weight ratio is about second to none. Actually the 351w is just about as good but harder to get parts for. <br /><br />Here's a Marine Tex Story<br /><br />NOTE I do not reccomend this to anyone....<br /><br />A few years back I was fishing with a buddy and his old crappy 1978 mercruiser #1 lower unit started making noises. In retrospect how it ever got us home I have no idea. We trailered the boat back and by the time we reached his home the housing had a huge crack and the bearing carrier was falling out.Were it not for the prop it would have!<br />My buddy didn't have money to replace the unit and the fish were hitting great. After some begging he convinced me to TRY to fix the drive so he could get a few more close trips out if it. <br />I ground off all the paint and clamped the housing back into shape. Wrapped it in a thin layer of fiberglass cloth. Then Globbed on marine tex about 1/2" thick all over the lower unit. After hardening we sanded the now oversized mercruiser down. Painted it and changed the drive oil. All the while never removing the drive from the boat. <br />---3 years later he sold the boat with that drive still on there and still running strong!<br /><br />The lord looks after fools... And when he isn't looking theres Marine Tex.........

 

[santa666]

Re: cracked engine, needs replacement

Yes, That sounds excellent. I have a similar tale. <br />While living in Singapore I had a Kawasaki KMX 200 as my car. The bike was free to me, because it was within 6 months of having to be manditorilly recycled. One day I was the victim of a hit and run acccident (a caning offense). After a week in bed I recovered what was left of the bike from local merchant who kept an eye on it. Everything was there, but the water pump fitting to the radiator was shattered and the hose was just hanging there on the other end. <br /><br />No dealer there had parts for a bike that "old". I bought a kit of J-B weld and fabricated a new housing by making the interior passage of layers of wrapped aluminum foil and then layering the J-B on the outside. After the weld cured I picked the wrapped foil from the inside of the new (casting?) part to make the water passage. <br />It worked all the way to the government junk yard where I turned in the bike. <br /><br />Their country mandates ALL vehicles be recycled when they reach 10 years old (something like Logan's Run?) They say it keeps their air clean and eyesore clunkers off the road. <br /><br />there's something really wrong with crushing a 10 year old mercedes-benz with NO rust (its the tropics), and 35,000 miles. No, the cars couldn't be sold for export, yes, that's the law. <br /><br />ANYWAY, M-tex, and JBW are tops. <br /><br />I think I'll start removing the headers, carb, Alternator, water pump, etc... I am going to use the new ZIPLOC brand Jumbo bags (2-1/2 gallon) to keep the small bits for storage. These bags are great. <br /><br />They're so big you could store a couple of cats in just ONE!<br /><br />Santa-

 

[mkast]

Re: cracked engine, needs replacement

Sorry to hear about the engine. Where are you located? I'm in Milwaukee, I might be able to help you out.<br />Email me at:<br />kastelim@matc.edu