Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

[Brookie11]

Hi
Yesterday we brought home a 1964 Montgomery ward 50 hp Sea King. LOVE IT.... But, yesterday before purchasing it, we put the outboard in a large bucket and started it. It was the first time it was started in 2 years. Start on the 3rd try. We ran it for a couple of minutes and also put it in gear.

Well tonight we did the same thing and it started on the third try but BOY did it smoke up and the water in the bucket was loaded with oil. This time we only let it run for 2-3 min tops, and then shut it off. We examined the motor and found a small pool of gas and a crack in the fuel line.

I just have a hard time believing that crack caused that much smoke. Could that be the cause of the smoke?

Let me add one more important clue. We are now the 3rd owners. The previous owner only had the boat for 2 1/2 years and the guy before him had it in a barn for 30 YEARS- untouched!! So in 30 years it probably has been run 3-4 times. BUT the guy we bought it from had it service 2 years ago. New fluids, battery, cables, and several other maintaince parts.

So my question is, what is causing the smoke??
Thank you so very much in advance!!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat

A lot of smoke, running it in a bucket is normal. If that motor has sat for 30 years and the last owner didn't do much with it, then it's a safe bet that you'll have to give it a work over.

First, change all the fuel lines on the motor. Likely they'll all break if you touch them.

Secondly, the impeller will likely need to be changed.

Thirdly, make sure no water has gotten into the gearcase oil since you've been running it in a barrel.

Fourth, inspect the ignition system and make sure everything is in good order. Not sure who made this particular motor, but check the coils over good for cracks.

Fifth, check the compression. Likely, this is a four banger. Make sure all cylinders are as close to even as possible, on compression.

 

[Brookie11]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat- '64 WARD SEA KING

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat- '64 WARD SEA KING

Thank You so much for you comprehensive response! It's incredibly helpful!! I have to tell you, one of the reasons we bought an old boat to 'tinker with' was because of the strings I've read in iboats! The help you all give is incredible!!

In regards to your answers...

Today we plan to go out and purchase some new lines. Honestly they look good. We thought if they were the original lines they would be gray and dull looking, but they're not. They actually look new, black, and in pretty good shape. We're wondering if the previous owner replace most of them so we're emailing him to ask. Either way, we did find one cracked line, so there's sure to be others...

Can you please explain "sure no water has gotten into the gearcase oil." I hate to say it, but I don't know how to do that. This is our first outboard and our previous boat had a I/O and was so new, we never had to do any maintainence on it.

We've done quite a bit of research on the boat and motor, but we have some comflicting information... and it doesn't help that the serial number plates are in bad shape.. We think the motor is a 1964 made by Chrysler. The motor model number is VWB-19092. After doing a little more research, there is question if it is a 1964 since 50 HPs were not made that year but in '65. Also we've found that 1964 could have been made by West Bend since Chrysler bought them around then... ANY HELP ON THAT RESEARCH WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL!!

Also, it's only a 2 cylinder, not a 4.. And we check the compression and it's both even and incredibly tight! Thank God!

We looked at the ignition system and it looks good but we want to check it at night to see if there are any leaks. Since we had the bucket scare yesterday, we haven't done that but, thanks to you, we'll make sure we add that to our list for next time!!

Back to the smoke question... I did realize I forgot to add that the gas/oil mixture in the gas is both 2-plus years old and almost on empty. Could that cause a lot of oil in the bucket and smoke?

Thanks again for your response and thanks in advance for any help with my new quesitons!!

 

[dbuffington]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Old gas/oil can gum up carbs, plug passages and cause all sorts of weirdness. I'd get fresh fuel in there before you rush to judgement of anything else. Enjoy! You have lots of fun ahead!

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

just my 2since, but after debugging the fuel lines, carb and ignition, I recommend a good dose of Johnson engine tuner and clean it out, it cleans out the exhaust ports and will help unstick the rings and get rid of carbon build up, also fuel lines can look fine on the outside but on the inside there gooey because the rubber is breaking down from alcohol in the fuel.

 

[Brookie11]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Just an update !

The King had its first real try out a couple of weeks ago. Ran like a top ! Just under 30 miles with 5.5 gal. gas. All hoses were changed, carb cleaned, impeller changed, lower gear oil changed, shifter replaced, plugs replaced, gas line replaced, ran just great. Now to tackle the old wiring, a crazed windshield, new seats, etc etc. Onward ho !

 

[steelespike]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

You probably found out it is a West Bend It may have magneto ignition or battery ignition. It is pretty closely related to the early Chryslers.Both motors were a little ahead of the times developing 50 and 55 hp fron 2 cylinder 44.7 cu. in.50 hp@ 4,750, 55 @ 5250. Evinrude4 cylinder 60 @ 4,500 and 70cu.in.in 65.

 

[Longo911]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Hey Brookie11 I just recently got a 64' Sea King that had been stored in a pole barn for about 30 years in Indiana. From the pic you posted of your engine, your boat looks like my boat. Same orangy-red color. Love to see a pic of the rest of your boat to compare. I also got a 50 hp Chrysler/Sea king with the matching trailer.

 

[Brookie11]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Hi -

Sorry for the late response...!! We have been very busy camping and some boating with the King. Ill try and get a pic in here....boat has run like a top all summer. Picking away at restoring it....no job...limited funds. Love to see pics of yours ! Im wondering what your thoughts are on this subject. In the back of the boat in the bilge hole-ther is another hole directly across from it that goes up under the floor of the boat....what the heck is that hole for?? Someone said for excess water..that to me, is the craziest thing I ever heard of...thoughts???

Pic wont upload....

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

If it's what I think, it is a drain to allow any water under the floor to drain into the bilge, then out the plug hole. Nice feature to have, hope you never need it.

 

[Brookie11]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Thanks ! Well, me too !! Hmm...But that is the craziest design...because it also allows any water that may seep into the bilge hole to go up under the floor....unless that whole area is covered in a fiberglass coating...that spells trouble. I do try to keep the boat at an angle so that any noticable water would drain out...it always seems to get some in there from the plug hole after we have been out for the day. I bought a new plug in hopes that it will make a tighter seal than the older plug.

 

[CraigHenderson]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

My 1965 era boat also has such a hole (two in fact) but is equipped with plugs (similar to bilge plug but smaller). Plate on transom says these plugs should be removed occasionally to let any "condensation" flow out of hull (and then out bilge hole).

 

[Brookie11]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Thanks Craig..just geting back in here ! That is sure another interesting theory...Im going to see if a plug will fit into that hole- but I guess I do understand about airing it out under there....hmmm. Interesting. Thnx !

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Yep, if you have two holes in your bilge bucket they should have plugs...rubber plugs. My old tri-hull had those...PO must have removed them on your boat.

 

[64seaking]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Hello,
I just purchased a 64 Sea king as well. Cool looking boat. Post some pics of yours so I can see what one looks like in better condition. Mine had no seats and needs paint.

 

[Longo911]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Hey brooke11.

Ran my boat a ton this summer as well. What a fun little boat! Got tons of looks and thumbs up from other boaters. Gonna take restore this baby slowly. The 50 hp had plenty of umph to pull a tube behind her. I will try to upload some pics. Having issues getting a pic to upload. Will write with progress!!

Rick

 

[F_R]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

This is a long old thread, but is sure to be read by many, now that it is revived. About those drain plugs---the chamber under the floor is a floatation chamber intended to prevent the boat from sinking like a rock if swamped. That is why it is to be plugged, except for when draining, which you should do as often as necessary. I've seen lots of boats with 50 gallons of water trapped in there.

Now about that floatation chamber---it may or may not be sufficient to keep the boat afloat. And if it does, it probably will float with just the nose sticking out of the water. A wet slippery boat bow sticking out of the water doesn't give you much to hang onto. Did somebody mention life jackets??

Laws have been enacted since those days that require floatation sufficient to float the boat upright with maximum load specified on the tag. Not that I really trust that to happen either....

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Yea, when water gets in there and stays, it often times will rot out the wood in there too, making the floorboard a mess

And yes, that definately is a Chrysler made motor.

 

[ljc1957]

Re: Help-Newbee bought a boat - 1964 Sea King

Brookie, I've got the exact same motor on a 63 Dorsett Ski boat. This outboard is amazing and, in the four years I've had it, it's never failed me. I lucked out and the PO had the original Monkey Wards service manual. Also, I found a Chrysler 1966, 45 hp outbaoard that I intend to use as a parts motor. So far, I haven't needed any parts and I'll bet the Chrysler is a good runner because everything seems fine with it. By the way, these two motors appear to be identical in every way. The only thing is it's not real fuel efficient and it spits excess fuel/oil directely into the water through a "puddle drain" system. There was a guy on here that had by passed this system and rigged it so it would collect into a seperate container. I plan to do that modification next. Good find and enjoy.