Need some help just bought 96 chris craft

[truckeic]

Just bought 96 Chris Craft bowrider with 351 windsor engine. Trying to find out any info.

 

[airshot]

Didn't happen without pics to prove it !!....lol.....

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard: What are you trying to find out? Chris is still in business, so some things you could contact them regarding. But typically boats don't have "manuals" like cars.

Your drive system will, but what you need will be based on drive type / manufacturer, not Chris Craft or the engine manufacturer.

 

[truckeic]

Just bought a 96 open bow chris craftvwith 351and volvo outdrive. Looking for more information model etc. This is my first boat and wondering about the motor and outdrive reviews. The price was too good to pass up is why i did not do mre research. Any help or links would be great!

 

[Lou C]

Likely OMC or Volvo drive system which in those years was actually identical but painted different colors. Cone clutch drive just like a Volvo SX drive….

 

[Lou C]

Post up pix & see my post in your other thread

 

[Scott Danforth]

Outdrive is a Volvo. Still supported

Motor parts are NLA

 

[Scott Danforth]

Chris Craft went thru 4 owners since 1996, with the latest being Winnebago.

There are no records at Chris Craft going back to 1996 per my buddy that works there

 

[Lou C]

I think in that time frame they were owned by OMC just like Four Winns and a few other well-known companies. If you have the 5.8 Ford + Joint venture cone clutch drive, the good part is the drive/transom mount are really Volvo and still supported. The engine not as much, the EFI and electronic ignition parts can be hard to impossible to find, if the boat has a Holley carb that to me is a big plus, and NLA OMC style electronic ignition can be converted to something that is supported, it could even be converted back to points if you find a Prestolite distributor for the 5.8 on ebay....

 

[truckeic]

I think in that time frame they were owned by OMC just like Four Winns and a few other well-known companies. If you have the 5.8 Ford + Joint venture cone clutch drive, the good part is the drive/transom mount are really Volvo and still supported. The engine not as much, the EFI and electronic ignition parts can be hard to impossible to find, if the boat has a Holley carb that to me is a big plus, and NLA OMC style electronic ignition can be converted to something that is supported, it could even be converted back to points if you find a Prestolite distributor for the 5.8 on ebay....

I just got out to the boat today and it is a 21 BR-7. It has the ford motor. I am quit new to boats so tried to turn the key over and no starter hit. The trim motor did run. I dont see any light etc... is there a battery disconnect switch maybe I am missing?

 

[truckeic]

Outdrive is a Volvo. Still supported

Motor parts are NLA

If this is a ford winsor why would parts not be available?

 

[Scott Danforth]

If this is a ford winsor why would parts not be available?

Ford hasn't supported the marine industry since 1996. Most of the marine only parts quit being made back then. By 2005 or so the parts were NLA.

The aftermarket supports the base engine. However none of the EFI parts or ignition parts are available

 

[cyclops222]

Truckeie
From your posts you have bought a very difficult parts boat. You would need a fantastic boat restorer person. And a unlimited pile of money. Old boats are not ever close to like restoring a old car.
Sell it now. Good luck.

 

[Lou C]

Well it depends on what the engine came with. Does it have EFI or a carb? Prestolite distributor or Split Fire ignition? If a carb it will be a Holley no issue with parts for that. If it’s a Prestolite BID (electronic) distributor if the module goes bad (NLA) that might be able to be replaced with a Petronix. Post pix of what you have….

 

[truckeic]

Ok so here are some pics I took today. I am very new to boats like very new..LOL so I do have a couple of questions about putting this in the water. I am assuming the threaded outlet on the back of the transom is the drain and needs to be reinstalled before launching. I dont see this plug on the boat I assume I can buy one at boat shop? Sporting goods like Acadamy? also there is a door on the floor (see Pic) that also looks like it needs a plug. What is this drain for and does it also need to be plugged before launching? I would like to start the boat in the yard and make sure it run OK before taking it ti the launch. There is a set of muffs in the boat, is there any tricks to hooking this up don't want to damage the motor. The last question, for the moment, is where would I go an find out about winterizing this engine. It appears to be the ford 351. Oh and can anybody tell me where the HIN is? I checked on the right hand side of the rear of the boat and in the engine area but I don't see anything? Thanks in advance to any and all advice.

 

[Buster53]

Best suggestion…do you have any boat savvy friends? Enlist their help.

 

[Lou C]

Well I see a Holley carb (good, better than EFI, cause all parts for the EFI are NLA, just make sure that it’s definitely a marine carb) and an MSD distributor, also probably better than if it was OEM (because parts for those are NLA), but like the carb make sure it’s a marine unit. Best bet is get a referral to a good marine mechanic and get it checked out, and, take a boating safety course. Yes you can get a drain plug at a marine supply place. The drain in the floor, that might be some kind of cooler not sure. You can run the engine on the water muffs but first out the outdrive down, & install the water muffs and turn on the water hose BEFORE starting. And shut off the engine before shutting off the water….
Winterizing well that’s a whole topic unto itself….

 

[truckeic]

So got the boat for basically 1000 bucks. Guy owed me some money and offered the boat. I know Chris Craft are really good boats. So whatr can anybody tell me about it?
I have run boats in my day just never had to launch or maintain one, never owned one.
So other than replaceing the drain plug and should be able to put this in the water and see how it runs? I plan on running it off the hose first to make sure it runs.
The only thing I have seen so far is the trim guage on the dash does not show if the outdrive is up or down. Best way to trouble shoot this? I know the speedometer does not work but I am planning on replacing it with a GPS unit.

 

[Lou C]

There is a sending unit on the outdrive mount that might be bad, these are a pain to change, most people don't bother to change it. Before starting make sure the engine is full of motor oil and the outdrive is full of outdrive gear oil. The outdrive should be pressure tested before putting it in the water and if it were me, I'd be doing a full service on this boat before using:
Engine oil & filter change
tune up
carb clean and rebuild
outdrive removal inspect driveshaft bellows, replace as needed, inspect gimble bearing and ujoints, grease if they have grease fittings, inspect both for proper operation.
I do think given you're new to boats, that you should get it checked out by a good inboard/outboard mechanic. And take a boating safety class, there's a lot to learn that's not obvious.

 

[Buster53]

Ok, since we don’t know your location, FYI, there’s a good possibility you live in a state that requires all boaters to take and pass a boater safety course. Even if your state doesn’t require it, still a good idea to take it.