Free Mercruiser 165 I6 Should I take it ?

[ATXastro]

Looked at an abandoned 84 Four Winns this evening with Merc 165. The hull is ok...all glass with obviously repaired transom. Outdrive rough with mounting bolts backed out 1/2 inch. Trailer broken but would probably make it home.

The engine looked pretty good. All parts present with not much rust.

It would take some work just to get the boat towable (trailer jack, tires) but the lady said I could take it for free. I would kinda like to, just to see if u can get the engine running and rebuild the carb...tinker, practice, learn.

The question is, if I were to get this motor operational, what would I do with it ? Is there any market for such an engine ? What could I sell it for ? Thanks in advance.

 

[jbcurt00]

Generally speaking, free boats are the most expensive.......

Whats the market in Austin for used boat motors? Probably lots different then here in WV.... Which would be not much.....

Based on the limited info given about the boat, outdrive, motor and your getting it free, (plus a $200+/- for tires and a jack, so NOT free) its worth about what you'll pay..... More or less, depending on current scrap metal prices in TX.


In good running shape, but used, w an operable outdrive, maybe 1000-1200. But at this point you dont know if it'll take 50 or 1K to get the motor to that point, let alone the outdrive thats partially removed.

Might get the tire and jack money back selling off bits and pieces of the boat hardware, maybe......

Oh, and be sure to contact the TX dmv about whats required to claim legal ownership of an abandoned, free boat. I hear thats a heck of a mountain to climb, w uncertain results even if you reach the top of the mountain......

Unless you own it, I wouldnt touch the boat, motor or trailer, except to drag it home, maybe. Some wouldnt be willing to do that w out the paperwork being in order 1st.

 

[ATXastro]

Thank you very much for your reply sir. I'm not sure what the market is here in Austin for used engines / parts, as I don't see any for sale on Craig's List. It would be nice to know if there is a parts trading forum around here somewhere, but I guess everyone just contacts Captain Mac. (the local boat graveyard)

Looks like any money and time I put into this engine would be rewarded solely with practice & experience. I'm guessing if I wanted to buy an old hull, it would need to be matched up to this outdrive or another with the same gears & specs. That seems like a big job to transplant all of that to a new hull successfully, as I'm just a beginner.

I have briefed the land owner on the process for filing for bonded title of an abandoned boat and she is happy to do it, although we have to wait 6 months for the boat owner to (probably not) surface and claim it.

Thanks again for your reply.

 

[OldCaptJoe]

I agree with jbcurt00. "Free" can be a gamble. 90% of the time they can become a money pit. If you do go for it make sure to set a budget. It can easily snow ball and can become very expensive. If you have the time and are prepared to spend some money it can pay off and become an amazing boat. You might also get lucky and it might not take as much work, but proceed with caution.

 

[stonyloam]

If you are planing on just parting out the motor, sure. That is a 470 motor and a lot of the parts are nla. Especially things like the exchanger manifold and cast aluminum parts. It should be full of antifreeze, so the block should be OK. Look an eBay to see what stuff goes for. The outdrive and associated parts should be worth something if in good shape.

 

[Maclin]

If it is an I6 GM six cylinder it is not a 470. The I6 engines are still out there running boats and occasionally one of them expires and someone will need a good one. Question is of course, would this one be good. A gamble, but if you just want to tinker and have the space and time then might be fun, and could be worth something at the end to the right boater.

 

[fishrdan]

Sounds like everything with the boat is in poor condition, so I would assume (until proven otherwise) that the engine is also in poor condition. Probably doesn't freeze in your area often, but it only takes 1 hard freeze with an engine full of water and the engine is junk, cracked block.

To me, I think you would be doing the lady more of a favor towing it off, than you would be doing yourself a favor....

 

[Oshkosh1]

To me, I think you would be doing the lady more of a favor towing it off, than you would be doing yourself a favor....

Ding Ding Ding Ding....We have a winner!

It's not a "Mystery Motor"...an unknown 6cyl lump.

Keep goin'!

 

[stonyloam]

If it is an 84 it is not a 6 it is a 4 cyl 470 (165) engine.

 

[HT32BSX115]

If it is an 84 it is not a 6 it is a 4 cyl 470 (165) engine.

From 1984-2017 (33 years) a LOT could have happened. (like a complete engine and drive swap) It wouldn't be the first "470" replaced with a 6

[h=2]Free Mercruiser 165 I6 Should I take it[/h]

He did say it's an "I6" assuming he can can count to at least 6....maybe he counted the sparkplugs!!
It may have a usable 6 cylinder engine in it....... Before I did anything with it though, I would want to look at the oil (any water?) and maybe pressure check the cooling system.

 

[stonyloam]

Yeah I missed that "I6".