dusting off the mercruiser 888

[jasonbailey]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

No flex is good, stringers appear ti be good. I'd keep an eye on the transom.

 

[ONEGA]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

View attachment 217415

Is transom built of OSB?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

Is transom built of OSB?

What about that picture would make you think that? I would imagine it's plywood, just like most every other boat. That you see in the picture is just the fiberglass matting.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

Just so you know the 351 and the 302 have different gear ratios. I have an 888 in an old Cruisers Bonanza. 21 ft. I can get 43 mph gps out of her with a 19 pitch prop. Have a 17 pitch that I want to try for better hole shot. Where has the boat been sitting (state)?

Technically it shouldn't matter any. The GM 305/350 both used the 1.50 ratio that the (888) Ford 302 did. The (233) Ford 351w used a 1.32 ratio drive for whatever reason, but it will function just as well, if not better, with a 1.50 ratio drive. Either way, there are other small issues with moving over to a 351w, such as the exhaust y-pipe being a bit wider, but nothing too bad.

 

[ONEGA]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

What about that picture would make you think that? I would imagine it's plywood, just like most every other boat. That you see in the picture is just the fiberglass matting.

Most every other but not ALL...Some boat builders used OSB in 70's and it looks like he has one of those, I may be wrong though.
Let's wait what OP says.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

Most every other but not ALL...Some boat builders used OSB in 70's and it looks like he has one of those, I may be wrong though.
Let's wait what OP says.

I realize that, which is why I used the word "most", but you still didn't answer my question. I don't see any bare wood there that would give you a reason to ask that question. The only remotely-uncovered area is where that thru-bolt is, and I sure didn't see anything that would indicate one or the other. In any case, unless you were worried about de-lamination, what difference does it make if it is OSB?

 

[ONEGA]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

I realize that, which is why I used the word "most", but you still didn't answer my question. I don't see any bare wood there that would give you a reason to ask that question. The only remotely-uncovered area is where that thru-bolt is, and I sure didn't see anything that would indicate one or the other. In any case, unless you were worried about de-lamination, what difference does it make if it is OSB?

As I said, I may be wrong but it looks to me like OSB. If it's not, OSB discussion simply doesn't belong to this thread.

 

[harleyman1975]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

Well lets not overwelm this guy. He seems content that the structure is good to go so time to get that this up and running! Test the compression, then test the block for cracks by putting air to the water jacket...or get that 351 set up to your place and start pulling the 302. I would change everything since you said that the outdrive is pooched and the motor is most likely as well. 2-3 day job to change everything over if you have a complete donor setup

 

[day-dayc]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

What about that picture would make you think that? I would imagine it's plywood, just like most every other boat. That you see in the picture is just the fiberglass matting.

its a piece of plywood 1-3/4" to 2" thick with a cast of fiberglass

 

[day-dayc]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

whatever it takes to get this puppy ready with out damn near building a new boat, i just wana go fishing at the bay and catch a few trophy rocks. my goal is to hab=ve it ready by feb the latest. will the 351 bolt right in, no serious problems? or can i slip in a 5.0 from the mustang world (dont shoot me for asking)

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

if your replacing both motor and outdrive why not go 350 chevy with a alpha out drive--the most common and least expensive why to go IMHO. Good Luck

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

whatever it takes to get this puppy ready with out damn near building a new boat, i just wana go fishing at the bay and catch a few trophy rocks. my goal is to hab=ve it ready by feb the latest. will the 351 bolt right in, no serious problems? or can i slip in a 5.0 from the mustang world (dont shoot me for asking)

The 351W would fit right in, with the exception of adding a different y-tube for the exhaust. If you were still looking at going thru-transom with the exhaust, then it's a non-issue. You could get a 302 from a mustang, however you'd need to swap the cam for a truck/marine/RV style cam in order to get the torque/HP lower in the RPM band. Mustangs are running peak power high up in the RPM band, and you want yours as low as possible, since the "redline" for the Merc/Ford 302 variant was 4200rpms or so. Just due a leak-down test on your engine to see if it's still good. I can help you with most of the odds/ends from my 351w, but it's likely a little expensive to ship a 351w to the east coast from Okla, lol, especially when I don't know the internal condition of the engine.

26aftcab454, the only issue with going Chevy at this point is that he'd have to change the exhaust y-tube, as well as need the entire assembly from the bell-housing forward in order to make the switch. At that point, you may as well try and find a junk hull to steal the entire motor/transom/outdrive from.

 

[84EdH]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

dayday:

Have you discovered the "restoration" forum yet? lots of good info. there about checking stringers, transoms, etc. etc. the choice of whether to restore your boat if you find rot, is a personal choice about how much you want THIS boat, your ability and willingness to put time in. The point is that if you find the floor is rotted and transom bad, its 100% fixable. Lots of work, but it can be done. This does not mean you cant find a better condition boat for less money than you will put in to this one, but boats don't make economic sense anyway. B.O.A.T........break out another thousand!

get your serial numbers for your engine and outdrive up and we can get specific about repair on things. Have you gone to Adults only section as Bondo suggested? you'll see info on where to look for serial numbers.

How do you know the boat was not winterized when stored? If someone drained the block and manifolds 4 years ago it may still be fine. Maybe some photos of those quarter sized holes will help explain what they are about. I would like to see your outdrive pics also to see "what was trying to get out"

Have you tried to open the drain plugs on the block to see if water was in there?

 

[ONEGA]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

Since your motor starts and runs there are chances it's good. The big mistake was to let it run with water since you have rusted thru manifolds. First thing to do now is to get rid of water in oil and do compression test. If compression checks okay you have a good motor. With 4 BBL this motor will produce about 200 HP which is enough to get you fishing, 2 BBL still not bad and was rated at 188 HP. You must have 351 heads on this motor. Doing complete repower will cost you quite a few coins either way, things add up.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

First thing to do now is to get rid of water in oil and do compression test. If compression checks okay you have a good motor.

Not to be too picky... but if the compression is okay, that doesn't mean he has a good motor. He might have a good motor... or not. You can have good compression and still have a crack in the water jacket allowing water in the crankcase. More diagnosis needs to be done before putting any money whatsoever into this combination.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

the picture above is at main floor level, if i push i hear crunching, placed a drill bit on it and i could almost push it in. tried the jump test on the outdrive and had no flex, the top 70% of transom is still good dry clean wood came out.

Does that mean the bottom third is wet and soft? If so, you are looking at having issues with leaking there. You could get away with using it as is for awhile - probably - but is something that will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

[ONEGA]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

Not to be too picky... but if the compression is okay, that doesn't mean he has a good motor. He might have a good motor... or not. You can have good compression and still have a crack in the water jacket allowing water in the crankcase. More diagnosis needs to be done before putting any money whatsoever into this combination.

Yes, more diagnosis. But clean oil is first. Motor starts and runs after sitting for quite a while which is good. I've seen motors with falling apart manifolds and intakes but blocks were in perfect shape. The only his expense at this point might be new manifolds and elbows.
He will have to determine himself which way to go. But my only point is that complete repower will cost $$$$ versus $$$ fixing what he has now.

 

[day-dayc]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

Does that mean the bottom third is wet and soft? If so, you are looking at having issues with leaking there. You could get away with using it as is for awhile - probably - but is something that will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

yeah the bottom third is soft, i did a water test(see if it floats) it sank, needs a gimble housing from what im learning as i go. it has a big errosion hole length wise, im affraid that if its soft removing the out drive to replace the parts will cause more damage to the transom

 

[day-dayc]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

dayday:

Have you discovered the "restoration" forum yet? lots of good info. there about checking stringers, transoms, etc. etc. the choice of whether to restore your boat if you find rot, is a personal choice about how much you want THIS boat, your ability and willingness to put time in. The point is that if you find the floor is rotted and transom bad, its 100% fixable. Lots of work, but it can be done. This does not mean you cant find a better condition boat for less money than you will put in to this one, but boats don't make economic sense anyway. B.O.A.T........break out another thousand!

get your serial numbers for your engine and outdrive up and we can get specific about repair on things. Have you gone to Adults only section as Bondo suggested? you'll see info on where to look for serial numbers.

How do you know the boat was not winterized when stored? If someone drained the block and manifolds 4 years ago it may still be fine. Maybe some photos of those quarter sized holes will help explain what they are about. I would like to see your outdrive pics also to see "what was trying to get out"

Have you tried to open the drain plugs on the block to see if water was in there?

no no and no haha, i can def post pictures of the manifolds tomorrow afternoon, theres two "outings" in the lower, one is at the base that has some sort of epoxy that was ran like that. the other was when I got it running and put into gear something else wanted out but i will post photos tomorrow. i was told the boat came out of the chesapeak after a summer outing then just sat in the back yard for the years until i just aquired it.

 

[day-dayc]

Re: dusting off the mercruiser 888

Im sure its asking alot out the this vessel but if it can run and hold up for at least next season then i will be extreamly happy and saving for a new one for the 2015 season, are there any other pointers for checking the hull to see how good/bad it is? i might order a manual from the "adults only section so i dont keep picking the living welll you know....out of everyones brains, i just grew up on aluminum boats and a 87 grady that had a brick for a chin hull.