Finally free after 15 years in storage!

[equium]

Well, it took some work, but after 15 years in storage, we got my father in law's boat out of the clutches of his garage. He decided not to use it one year and the rest is history. He has given to boat to my wife and I and will help with/pay for any repairs. I have not brought it all the way home yet, but this is what I know: 1970's tri-hull Galaxie with a Mercruiser 165 I/O GMC in-line 6. From what I've read, it's a pre-alpha, type R. The only thing my father in law can recall is that he saw water in the gear box the last time he used it. I'm assuming he meant the outdrive. I will have no trouble getting the engine up and running; the outdrive, however, is not my strong point. I purchased a SELOC manual and have been reading it. A local marine shop quoted me approx. $600 + parts to go through the outdrive; more if something pops up while they have it apart. Part of me wants to make the repairs myself, and the other part want to just pay someone to do it. I'll have no problem replacing the impeller when the time comes, but I'm a bit hesitant about separating the drive from the gimbal. So, here are my questions:
1. What will need (or should) be done to this boat since it's been sitting for 15 years.
2. Can I do this myself? (I'm no stranger to engines and mechanical things)
My wife learned to ski behind this boat as a young girl, and I have an obligation to my father in law and my family to restore this piece of family history and make it run again. I take pride in my work and look forward to getting this boat back on the water. I know, it's no Mastercraft or Eliminator, but I'm confident my children will come away with fond memories of the boat, as did my wife.
Thanks for reading and God Bless.
Danny

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

I think it's all going to depend on how well it was laid up when it was put away. If the block was drained and coolant put in it, if the oil was changed, if the water/oil was drained out of the outdrive and fresh oil put in. If none of that was done, you might have a nasty project on your hands. My personal vote as far as the outdrive is concerned would be to attempt to pull it apart myself. Getting it off the gimbal is actually pretty easy as is splitting it in half and taking the top gear plate off, which should give a pretty good assessment of it's condition.
--
Stan

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

Welcome to iboats.....
Well, I would change the oil, squirt some in the cylinders, pull the dist & put a drill on the oil pump to get some oil to the bearings.....
The fuel in the tank should bre drained & discarded.....
You will most likely need a carb rebuild.......
If it were me, I would pull the drive & do what I could to get the engine running......
You can supply water directly through the water passage in the bell housing.....
I would do this first to make sure it was properly drained when it was winterized.....
Frankly, I would just get a new SEI aftermarket drive off ebay for $1195 with a three year warranty.....
If your present drive had water 15 years ago, the innards are shot & I would not waste time or money on it......
Hope this helps.....​

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

I'm with me bro on this one. New drive.

 

[equium]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

I think it's all going to depend on how well it was laid up when it was put away. If the block was drained and coolant put in it, if the oil was changed, if the water/oil was drained out of the outdrive and fresh oil put in. If none of that was done, you might have a nasty project on your hands. My personal vote as far as the outdrive is concerned would be to attempt to pull it apart myself. Getting it off the gimbal is actually pretty easy as is splitting it in half and taking the top gear plate off, which should give a pretty good assessment of it's condition.
--
Stan

Thanks Stan. I'll have to ask him those questions. The marine shop told me I could just remove the outdrive and bring it to them for the work (leaving the boat at home for me to tune up the engine). I'm just a little concerned about needing an alignment tool. The marine shop guy said if I don't move the engine, it should just slide right in. I'm going to pick it up this Saturday. The trailer has new firestone tires, but they're over 15 years old. Needless to say, trailer tires will be my first expense.

 

[equium]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

wow, you guys are fast. thanks for the other replys. I did not know you can still supply water to the engine with the outdrive off. I did not know the outdrives were that inexpensive, and with a 3 year warranty, that might be the ticket. Heck, I could keep the old outdrive and practice on it; and have a spare.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

wow, you guys are fast. thanks for the other replys. I did not know you can still supply water to the engine with the outdrive off. I did not know the outdrives were that inexpensive, and with a 3 year warranty, that might be the ticket. Heck, I could keep the old outdrive and practice on it; and have a spare.

Yup, like I said, just use something cone shaped that will stay in the water inlet hole & you will be fine.....

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

Don't write off the original outdrive until it has been inspected unless you just have money to spare.

It is a great motor and very good outdrive if it is still in good condition.

 

[equium]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

Don't write off the original outdrive until it has been inspected unless you just have money to spare.

It is a great motor and very good outdrive if it is still in good condition.

I don't have money to spare, that's for sure. I'm not buying anything without getting a real good look at it. I'm confident it can be saved. My father in law is pretty good about taking care of his things. I don't know what the heck went wrong and why he let the boat sit, but it's free now. Being inside a garage has been kind to it. Aside from dust and a few mouse poops, it's going to clean up real nice. The engine looks as clean and black as the one on the cover of my Seloc book.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

ya know what they say, a free boat can be the most expesive boat ya ever own....my free boat had everything wrong with it and would now be a restore project. hope yers goes better.......

ya might check out all the rubber parts. if the tires on the trailer are bad...... well, ya get the idea. bellows(driveshaft, shift cable are critical)(exhust, not critical), hoses, impeller, riser to exhust pipe bellows. belt.

get yerself an oem service manual

everytime ya remove the drive, ya should use an alignment bar to confirm alignment........

ya could pressure test yer drive too. see if it holds pressure or not....

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

Yup, like I said, just use something cone shaped that will stay in the water inlet hole & you will be fine.....

Where is the water inlet hole? is it on the upper part of the out drive?

 

[MercMonster]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

Where is the water inlet hole? is it on the upper part of the out drive?

You can supply water directly through the water passage in the bell housing.....

Looking at the back of the boat, should be the smaller hole on the bottom left of the bell housing. I'm guessing you could hook it straight up to your intake hose (w/ an adapter) on the inside of the boat as well?

 

[MercMonster]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

A picture for better reference:

 

[equium]

Re: Finally free after 15 years in storage!

UPDATE:
I dug into the glove box and found some documentation. There were a few credit card receipts. (28 bucks to fill the tank). Some very old maps of local lakes. A few old registrations slips. So, I have found that my father in law bought this boat brand new in 1975 (my wife was 10 years old). I have not had any time to do anything to the boat just yet. I did get it up a nasty driveway. I'll keep y'all posted