Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

[mercrewser]

I am buying a boat with a 327 V8. It has not been used in 10 yrs. Prior to lay up, the engine was drained of water and put away. It was not fogged. It has never been used in salt. The oil looks good, with a drop of moisture on the bottom of the dipstick. I put a stap wrench on the crank pulley, and could only get it to budge just a smidge before the strap started slipping. I plan to spray Marvel Mystery oil into the cylinders and let it soak. Any one have any experience with situations like this? Will I need a new engine? Or do you think I can succesfully loosen this engine up and run it? I'm worried because I am paying more than average for a project boat

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

I Suspect there's Probably Rust in atleast 1 of the cylinders,.... Maybe More......<br />

Will I need a new engine?

Maybe Not,.....<br />But,......<br />The Odds are Not in Your Favor........

 

[superpop]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

I would walk away if you can. Any thing rubber including every gasket, hose and bellows will all fail in very short order. I purchased a 1996 runabout with only 50 hours thinking this was a good deal on a lightly used boat. After I bought it I found out that it sat for 3 years on the hard. I ended up replacing just about everything rubber or cork due to drying out and cracking. All of the electrical is probably shot as well, I ended up replacing the starter, alt, and carb.

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

I'm prepared for all the common stuff. I'm just hoping I can save the engine though. This boat is extremely special, I will post pics when I get it. I dont think walking away is an alternative

 

[tommays]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

i have been told that its inportant to due what ever is nessary to get OIL ON THE CAM BEFORE CRANKING THE MOTOR as it will not be protected and may wipe out very fast if its left dry<br /><br />tommays

 

[Big-E]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

My current boat had not ran in about 3 years when i got it. Got it for free from my brothers friend who had to get rid of it. He said it ran great when he layed it up just needed a new floor/stringers and all new seats hatches. 1st thing i did was try to spin the 3.0 L over by hand and it did just the same as yours.. Moved a little bit and that was it. I rebuilt the motor and when i took it apart found that all 4 cyl's had rust and was pitted. Machine shop had to go .40 over to remove all the pits. <br /><br />I rebuilt the motor myself and got the boat water ready for about $2200 bucks. <br /><br />If you can get the boat for free or close to it i would get it if you like it and can do most of the work yourself (except for machine work) If its a couple G's.. Id run and hide. <br /><br />Good luck , <br /><br />Big-E

 

[fireship1]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

I would pull the head and take a look before I ever turn the key.

due what ever is necessary to get OIL ON THE CAM BEFORE CRANKING THE MOTOR

That's good advice from Tommays. If you insist on trying to start it. Pull the distributor (mark the body and rotor first) and spin the oil pump with a drill motor and a pre priming tool. (can be had at an auto parts store or be home made) However I agree with Bondo. I don't think the odds are in your favor. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Merc: Get a breaker bar with a socket and go to the damper pulley.Gently bounce the breaker back and forth. Make sure all the cylinders are wetted down with penetrating oil. just bump them alittle at a time it should break loose. 327 a good motor and you said it was a project boat,Have fun<br />I bet your paying a higher price becouse of the motor. 327 bring big $$$$$.<br />Beef

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

This is a "Q" motor, flywheel forward. Nothing to get a socket on. I will try to run it as is, figuring on a rebuild.

 

[rojoc]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

I purchased a boat four years ago that had been laid up for five years. omc cobra 88' starcraft. Maybe I lucked out because after adding oil into each cylinder and turns by hand the the engine was free. The boat at that time had 375 hrs. I still own the boat and have had lots of enjoyment from it with only the usual repairs. If you like the boat be optimistic and good luck with it.

 

[rojoc]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

I purchased a boat four years ago that had been laid up for five years. omc cobra 88' starcraft. Maybe I lucked out because after adding oil into each cylinder and turns by hand the the engine was free. The boat at that time had 375 hrs. I still own the boat and have had lots of enjoyment from it with only the usual repairs. If you like the boat be optimistic and good luck with it.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

You got nothing to lose by putting oil in the cylinders and getting it turning by hand. That's what I'd do. After that, get it started, run it up to operating temp and change the oil. Then try a compression check and see how bad or good it really is. Might be OK to use.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Alot of Good Info here,........<br /><br />You really should come up with a way to rotate it by hand,.....It'll Increase your odds of Not breaking the Rings.........<br /><br />Once it's made a couple trips around,.....<br />Then Prime it as stated above,...<br />And,... Rotate it by hand,... At the same time.........<br /><br />I only said the Odds are Against you,......<br /><br />As rojoc Sa,.. Says,............ <br /><br />Everybody Beats the Odds,............... Sometimes..............

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Thank you. Engine is pickled with Marvel Mystery oil. Will wait a few days till I turn it over by hand. Here is the engine, and the very special boat it is in. A Chris Craft Commander, hull number 39 of only 86 made.<br /><br /><br />

<br /><br />

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

it's worth saving.

 

[jayfarmlaw]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

4 days and no update, Im dying here. My money says that the engine will run fine. I have seen alot worse that fired right up,, smoked a little and then ran fine. Fresh oil and filter, fresh gas, and bump her over. You might pull the coil wire and turn it over several times to build up some oil pressure before you put the fire to it.<br /><br />PLLLLEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSE post an update. It looks like an awesome project.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Jay

 

[JIm Cook]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Hey Mercrewser, no update must mean that your <br />giving up on that project boat. I can take it off<br />you hands for you. Real cheap. Say $250.00 ?

 

[JIm Cook]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Just kidding you know. That looks like a great<br />boat to have fun with during the winter when we<br />cant boat. Have fun.

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

We have to put a new starter in it. Bench tested bad. Also, there is no bolt to put a socket on, so I am waiting for a big pipe wrench to turn it over on Sunday, before we run the new starter. Thankyou for the encouragement, I will post updates. I also have to find a way to get rid of the fuel. I learned burning a little at a time in my car was a BAD idea!!

 

[Chopper Doc]

Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Wow, that boat has some serious possibilities dude. Is it Mahogoney Wood under the paint? Anyway, I would remove all of the plugs and fill the cylinders that way. Since it has been sitting for so long you can definately expect it to have some issues in the engine department. I don't know much about boats in general but I am an aircraft mechanic so I know a little about engines Personally, I'd pull it and go through it but it seems you want to see if it is gonna run. That is your choice, not mine. Just please don't mess up that engine or that boat. I love those old boats and I really enjoy it when I get lucky enough to see one actually running on the water. I wish you the best of luck with it whatever you do. Just make sure to vent the engine compartment of any fumes before you try to start it. It is my understanding that most of those old boats do not have bilge vents. Be careful when torqueing on the harmonic balancer too, it is old and you wouldn't want to damage it. Again, good luck and I really like your boat. I hope to see pics of it running on the water <br /><br />Actually, I have been reading stuff on this site for a long time, this one is the one that made me register <br /><br />Wes