Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

[Bullhauler]

Hi, i'm going to look at a really clean upkept 78 glastron, has the 165hp inline 6, he wasn't sure the outdrive thought it was a mercruiser 2? but being the year I'm going to jot down the model to research before i would make an offer, here is a pic of it don't know if someone is able to tell from the pic or not, my main question is am I getting into a problem with this older setup? can parts still be gotten for both?

any feedback would be appreciated!

 

[Cresco750]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

With that lifting lug on the top cover plate it looks to be an MC-1 drive. I've got one. Most parts seem readily available.

 

[Bullhauler]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

yeah I just downloaded the manual to look at it and seems pretty much identical to the mc1

 

[cr2k]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

Check the bellows (drive and shift) Check the oil cold and again after you warm up the boat on muffs. The level should be very close to the same and NOT milky. Check for any water leaks. Good idea to check the drive oil for water, chunks of metal and excessive noise especially at the extreme turns. Hours mean very little as it is the overall maintenance that really determines condition.
Good Luck and let us know.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

Ayuh,... Looks like an MC-1,...

Make sure to trim it down, 'fore ya light 'er up...

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

If this is your 1st I/O its the perfect set-up to start with.
The IL-6 is a great engine and easy to work on.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

I know this is an engine and outdrive repair forum but on a boat that old check the hull, floor and transom integrity. That motor and drive may be easy to work on but if the boat is a spongy mess you will be real disappointed.

 

[mercs4mark]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

Great set up parts are readily available and engine is fairly easy to work on. Good clean solid boat go for it

 

[Augie56]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

Agree with all the above, check outdrive trim, bellows, steering, gear changes...all with engine running at idle. Sould be no strange noises or groans. Check all fittings, wires and hoses that pass thru the transom..should be no leak evidence. Check all visible stringers and motor mounts in bilge and elsewere...none should sound hollow or be deteriorating. Does it have a bilge pump?

The straight 6 with MC-1 mercruiser is a rock-solid first boat option. Easy to work on, and parts are EASILY available.

How long is the boat? 165HP in good running order with the right prop should push that boat fine for cruising, tubing, even skiiing with enough prop.

 

[Bullhauler]

Re: Looking at a 78 glastron tomorrow with a mercruiser inline 6 and outdrive, advice

thanks for all the feedback! its the ssv 177 model and i think its either 17' or 18'. and i ended up gettin it , very very clean and well kept, no rot no rust all is solid, interor and ext is mint, gonna b a fun boat i think, got the wakeboard tower, speakers and stereo ordered today to put on er, sure gonna beat tubing on a bass boat!