Help on 1956 Alumacraft

[mtboatin]

I just purchased a 1956 Alumacraft on a old EzLoader trailer last night. Found it to be a "Deep C" with a 50 hp Evenrude outboard of later vintage (I'm thinking 1970's). Even got to test it out on the water. Of course she needs some work. I was wondering if anyone had a source on parts for an old girl like this. I'm in need of the front eye that bolts to the nose where the winch rope attaches, would like to find a set of oars, any dash options, and a original frame for the convertible top.

Also would appreciate any recommendations on what would make a nice 60 hp motor in this vintage.

Thanks.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Welcome aboard to iboats.

ALL your parts will be aftermarket and are available in the iboats store http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Accessories/dm/ as an example the bow eye for the winch http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Bow-Eyes/dm/*******.496674416--session_id.514711847--view_id.257651

Sounds like you are looking for a bimini top (once again in the store) too

Dash options are you dream it, design it and build it!!


We have an extensive restoration section and we are pro's on all aluminum boats!! http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22

Have fun! look around........

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Bob thanks for the info.

The eye for the front is a formed aluminum piece. I was picking through the trash in the boat and happened to find the other half of it. I think I'll remove the half still mounted and take to a machine shop to see if it could be welded back together then I'll dress it with a file. I'd like to find a frame for the convertible top so I could have a top made to look like factory. PO covered over original seat back cushions in a fast manner. Any idea if they offered a base cushion for the bench as well?

Then it's time to dig into the rough idle and control box that is jammed internally.

I wonder if anyone can give me an idea how much water should be exiting the engine while running? It constantly spits hot water out but not much in the way of volume. Part of the reason for concern is this boat sat a long long time in the elements and had wasp nests in everything according to the seller. They found it running hot and had to remove nests from somewhere blocking water flow. This guy was not mechanically inclined either.

Here are a couple pics I snapped. First day of ownership. The windshield was taken off but saved and he's to be dropping that off today.

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Here's a pic of the what I believe the top would have looked like. I have the swivel mounts and original snaps still in place to attach one.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

You can get it welded but a stainless steel one will be stronger. Based on how long it has been sitting........ I would order a good repair manual and also replace the impeller just for safety of the motor. I would not be surprised if the thermostat needs to be replaced too.

The tell tale stream from the motor should be steady and it is just an indicator that the impeller is pumping water.

Any shop that makes bimini tops can make those metal bows for you out of aluminum or stainless steel.

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Pic of the dash I forgot to put in. Has some unused holes, one switch, and some holes closed off with a riveted plate.

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Update. I picked up my windshield and upper aluminum frame and low and behold there was the convertible top frame! Can anyone tell me what if anything goes between the base of the windshield and the boat hood? I'm guessing it had a rubber weather strip or maybe another section of aluminum frame?

I need to replace my cable and it looks like 1/4 is what was on it. Can anyone tell me if this is the preferred diameter?

I am having trouble finding steering pulleys to match what came off the boat. The back two corner pulleys have a closed eye and a single nut holding them on. The front two have a base mounted with two screws that I think I can make the moderen strap mount work. The two that attach to the engine with the spring loaded clips I'm having zero luck with.

Also found a 1965 65 hp Mercury for $500 with controls that has supposedly been completely gone through. The boat is rated for a max of 60 hp. Any thoughts?

 

[m casey stock]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Welcome! Nice I love these old aluminum runabouts, I have an early 50's Duracraft I have just started work on. I'm sure you will Love your alumacraft. My son has a 14 ft aluminum runabout too and we love just cruising around in it. Not sure what make it is because some knuckle head took all the ID plates off, I'm glad to see your's are still intact. Have fun!!

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Thanks for the welcome.

I struck out today on my pulley search. Finding only the plastic hook style like they sell on here.

I now have a new dilemma. I've found two nice electric used trumpet horns, a single and a double. I need opinions as to weather install one at all and if so weather to do the single or the double. I know the double will sound better but I guess I'm wondering if a double is going to look like too much on her short hood and if I should center it or mount them off center? Any opinions appreciated.

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

I forgot to add I found an older looking remote spot light I could pick up cheap. What are thoughts of installing one on a 1956?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Whatever you add is all up to you.

My guess on the two holes to the right of the steeringwheel. Way back in those days OMC used a lot of 2 button Start and Kill switches and those holes look like they match that. The other two could have been horn and light switches.

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Thanks for the info.

I'm courious if adding a trumpet horn and a remote light would effect the value of the boat negatively. Maybe I'm just over thinking it.

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Well if no one can tell me a good reason not to I think I'm going to pull a dual trumpet (if it fits) and a remote light at the yard tomorrow to put on her. Worse case scenario, if at some point we had to go full original, a couple of holes would need to be welded and dressed.

 

[makingthemhappy]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Hey thanks for posting the pictures, now I finally know what that goofing looking bracket mounted in the side of my boat is, it's for the back rest. Any chance you could add a picture of the back of the backrest? Thanks

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Good looking tinny!

Add all you want, if you sell it it won't add any value but it won't take away either. I suppose a true purist might balk a bit about the extra few holes but most won't. Not sure if these came with seat cushions but if you look in the restoration section there are some threads on making your own seats which wouldn't be hard to do. Even some fancy ones if you can sew.

Your 50 looks to be the same vintage as mine and unless someone has added a telltale it'll only be spitting water at idle out the two exhaust ports just under the cowling. You will get more water coming out with more RPM's such as when it's idled up with the warm up lever. The majority of the water exits the holes in the leg just above the AV plate.

I'd still put an impeller in it since it's been sitting and change the lower unit oil. Make sure of the year on it though as I'm guessing it as a 71/72 which will require Type C lube not gear oil.

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Hey thanks for posting the pictures, now I finally know what that goofing looking bracket mounted in the side of my boat is, it's for the back rest. Any chance you could add a picture of the back of the backrest? Thanks

Sure thing. Just got back from family vacation and am playing catch up but will get some picks as soon as possible. I only have the seat back system on the front two benches. Some pics of brochures show all three. Makes me want a set for the third bench as well. I'll put that on the wish list for thing she should have.

 

[mtboatin]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Good looking tinny!

Add all you want, if you sell it it won't add any value but it won't take away either. I suppose a true purist might balk a bit about the extra few holes but most won't. Not sure if these came with seat cushions but if you look in the restoration section there are some threads on making your own seats which wouldn't be hard to do. Even some fancy ones if you can sew.

Your 50 looks to be the same vintage as mine and unless someone has added a telltale it'll only be spitting water at idle out the two exhaust ports just under the cowling. You will get more water coming out with more RPM's such as when it's idled up with the warm up lever. The majority of the water exits the holes in the leg just above the AV plate.

I'd still put an impeller in it since it's been sitting and change the lower unit oil. Make sure of the year on it though as I'm guessing it as a 71/72 which will require Type C lube not gear oil.

Thanks for the nice words.

Went ahead and got the dual trumpets and remote spot light. Spot light cable is seized so I'm working on it. Also got a older glass fuse type fuse panel so I can run some new wiring and clean things up.

Model # for the engine comes up '74. Got a call that the t-stat and impeller came in for me to pick up. Now I need a how to on r&r of them. Found a parts blow up and doesn't look too bad. Looks like the t-stat is under the head?

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

Best advice I can give on the t-stats is to get a factory service manual (not Seloc) they do a great job of step by stepping you through repairs

 

[steelespike]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

You may find Evinrude reprint factory manuals here at iboats.
In my youth a girl friend had a 14' Alumacraft utility. Pretty much the exact same design less the deck and seat backs.
Even in my youth I found the lack of transverse ribs interesting and the bottom did move in the waves.
Does bring back fond memories.She was a nice red head.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Help on 1956 Alumacraft

I found looking at old boat pictures and restorations will show how it looked when new. What about the flooring? Here is a picture of my 1960 crestliner