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

paulrfrancisco

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
341
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Well you might get her to spin, but I bet that Carb will need to be rebuilt.. It may not even start with out pouring gas right down her throat. (be careful here though) Probably loaded with shelac...
 

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Engine spins free and smooth, like a new engine. It will be running by this weekend. The boat is 100% original, we will not molest it in any way. The engine even had the original manifolds on it. The front and rear vents are fully functioning, with hoses running into the bilge. Plus, there is an electric blower. Total overkill!! Here are some more pics. This boat will get the royal treatment from now on. <br /><br />
100_0001.jpg
<br /><br />
100_0007.jpg
 

Chopper Doc

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2006
Messages
43
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Sweet. That boat is deserving of the royal treatment.<br /><br />Wes
 

paulrfrancisco

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Oct 25, 2004
Messages
341
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Looks like it is in need of a real good Polish job... With Oxidation like that, you can try the over the counter products, but I had that kind of deep oxidation on my boat and only a 3 process sanding was able to take it back to the original color.. I used 400 grit wet sand paper dry by hand (up/down, then side/side motion twice over), then 600 grit dry by hand (up/down, then side/side motion twice over), then super duty marine compound on a 7 in. electric polisher, and then a polish on top of it all with the electric polisher...the results were excellent.
 

Bsturkie

Seaman
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
73
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

I would kill to have a project boat like that!!!! Mine is not half as cool..anyway, my boat was last on the water in 2001. Has not been run since that day. I bought a battery, hooked a booster up and jumpercables from my truck to it. (This is at the guys house before I bought it.) Turned the key and wow...it turned over like a champ. I said that to say this...test before you buy! But in your case, this boat was one of a kind so I now look forward to seeing what you do with it!
 

Mischief Managed

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
1,928
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Neat boat! Good luck with it. Reminds me of the 1968 Sea Ray Pachanga (copy of a Donzi 18' classic) a colleague bought last Fall.
 

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Runs like new!!!!!!!!!!!
 

TX 66

Cadet
Joined
Feb 20, 2006
Messages
6
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Looks like a great project, really classic lines.<br /><br />I think you have a Ford 289-302, possibly a 351W in there. <br /><br />327 Chevys (all Chevy small blocks 283-400 cu.in.) have the distributor in the back of the block through the intake manifold.<br /><br />Small Fords have the dist. in the front of the engine right behind the water pump, but not through the intake manifold.
 

paulrfrancisco

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
341
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Look at the pic. The label says 327 right on it... in addition, if you read the thread from the beginning thoroughly, he stated the engine is reverse installed...
 

Chopper Doc

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2006
Messages
43
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Look at the valve covers closely. If you pay special attention you just might notice that the valve covers are each held on by four bolts. That is typical of a small block chevy, not a small block Ford.<br /><br />Have fun,<br /><br />Wes
 

Mischief Managed

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
1,928
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Originally posted by Mercrewser:<br /> Runs like new!!!!!!!!!!!
That's great news. Did you do a compression check yet? Curious to hear how that turns out.
 

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

No, but man it runs strong. Really fires up quick, with no throttle needed. It runs like it is fuel injected, and it definetly is firing on all 8 cylinders. It has a real loud pop to it, previous owner said a hotter cam had been put in at one time, and it really sounds like it. Really, it is pretty amazing. I have to pull it though because of some trans issues. I shouldnt turn the engine any more till the trans is fixed, otherwise it will cause permanent damage.
 

Chopper Doc

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2006
Messages
43
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Dude, I am glad you engine runs so well. Hurry up and fix your trans. Oh yea, congrats on the thing. I am so glad it is workin out good for you. You may not think so because the boat needs work but really you are one up in the game cause a strong running engine has great prospects. Anyway, take care and good luck with it.<br /><br />Wes
 

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

Its awake.......<br /><br /><br />
100_0228.jpg
 

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

pun intended (awake - a wake)
 

Purduebarry

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 29, 2005
Messages
378
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

F_in...what's up with the link, didn't go nowhere. Merc, give us some details. This baby's bad to the bone. Where in the heck did you find it? What's the deal with the 10 yr snoooze? It looks like it's all glass? What are your plans...what a find. For the love of god don't use Blue Plate Mayonaise on the faded gel...actually recommended on another thread.<br /><br />Keep us posted! SIC!!!
 

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: Engine 'awakening' after 10 yrs *New thread in Restoration Forum*

F-ins link is bad because that website is temporarily down. There is no fading on the boat. A quick wash revealed the original blue gel. It has been at a neighbors house uncovered for at least 10 yrs. I fell in love with it when I moved in 2 yrs ago. It wasnt for sale, but I convinced the guy to let it go. I bought it this March. It now stays in my garage. We are going to buff it, and address some other cosmetic issues. I already replaced the floor. This boat has all fiberglass stringers. NO WOOD. There is some encapsulated wood sistered to the rear stringers for the engine to be lagged to. I easily repaired some minor rot to these. The engine wants to go go go! Sounds awesome on the water! I'll start another thread and post pics of it all back together very soon. (week or two)
 
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