It wants to live again

[adognamedstain]

I bought a 1958 Dorsett Pleasure Cruiser for $200. At the time I thought it was a good deal but after a year of trying to get it to run I am about to give up. I have replaced the fuel lines and plugs hoping to get it going. The motor will start and run for around 20 seconds but dies out. It will not restart for a few hours as if it has flooded and it starts leaking fuel around the lower part of the motor (there is a small hole about 1/4" around about 4 inches above the prop that it leaks out of.) I took the boat to the most "well known" boat repair shop in town and was told it would take around $700 to get running but they would not tell me what was wrong. They replaced a large black box on the left side of the motor but also didn't tell me what it was but charged me almost $100. I recently spoke to the guy I bout it off of and he mentioned that the boat was underwater for about 2 days. Is there any hope for old relic. I really enjoy working on the boat but really don't know that much about it. Please give me some help so I don't have to junk out the boat.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: It wants to live again

Well if it starts and runs for 20 seconds that may be a good sign.Post some pictures of what you have,engine and drive serial numbers would help.I take it that you may have an outboard engine?
With all the great mechanics on this forum i'm sure we could help you out.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: It wants to live again

Don't hijack other threads,(awakening motor)
Someone will help if you post some info...

 

[wavrider]

Re: It wants to live again

Welcome to Iboats,
Basically what you will need to have is some information about your engine, Start with model number if you can locate it on your engine, this will identify year, make and model which is very useful information to give any advice.
Without this information it wil be hard to give advice on how to diagnose the symptoms of your engine.

 

[Lakester]

Re: It wants to live again

I bought a 1958 Dorsett Pleasure Cruiser for $200. At the time I thought it was a good deal but after a year of trying to get it to run I am about to give up. I have replaced the fuel lines and plugs hoping to get it going. The motor will start and run for around 20 seconds but dies out.

hello,

so do u think it is a fuel problem?

if the mechanicals are OK only two things needed to make it run.

1-electrical working properly

2-fuel delivery correct.

so, u may want to try to eliminate one or the other. if it was mine, i would start with a FULL tune up to include an American~Made... fuel pump. u can usually have the carb redone cheaper than a new one. also i would pump gas into sep container to determine it is clean. be sure any fuel filters not clogged.

also, i would crank the engine, plugs out... and be sure the carb puts NO gas into the intake's plenum. look inside to be sure it is dry. u may have to remove it to do this and replace as opening butterflys will usually kick the accelerator pump. u want no gas coming from carb when it cranks. pull the plugs to take load off engine when cranking. u want to be sure carb is not flooding out during the cranking process. also, i might spray fuel over carb and not open carb to see if it will run.

once it starts if tune is off and it gets throttle pumped... since it is old... no telling what is being pumped. but be careful as it can back fire. i would want to get it all to a base configuration that i know is correct. then start adding inputs such as throttle to see if it will run.

u should do a compression test. u should chk the ignition system to be fresh or at least well cleaned. all contacts etc. for the $ i would put in fresh plugs if not done already...

if it were mine, my goal would not be to get it to run. but rather have it running very good!

keep us posted. interesting project.

good luck!~

regards

lakester

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: It wants to live again

we really need a lot more info, all we know right now is you have a motor that doesn't run, year, hp, model #, what you have done to try to get it running, do you have a manual for the motor??????