New to forum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

[alamantia]

Re: New toforum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Re: New toforum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

all good observations... you guys know about boats like I know about cars. I plan on turning that motor into an anchor at some point anyway. Im more concerned about the outdrive and hull, I now know to look for soft spots, that much I have learned in the last 24 hours. Owner states he is the 2nd owner and that boat has always been on the same lake, no saltwater. He also states that it is kept outside and that is tha trailer that the boat came on, I did forget to ask if it has brakes, I will look for that when I get there, I dont see a master cylinder on it from th epictures unless I am missing it. Thanks all for your help so far.

 

[mr 88]

Re: New toforum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Re: New toforum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Could be electric brakes,not surge.Sometimes you have to watch what you are replacing the motor with,coupler has to line up with flywheel pattern of bolts and gear ratio in outdrive may be something to think about.Then you get into marine exaust manifolds,carbs,starters,alternators among other things.I would run the motor thats in it for a season and if you need more speed then address that in the off season.It will give you the whole summer to ask questions like what parts are interchangable and maybe look around for a marine big block 454 chevy,that will mate up better than the 383.

 

[alamantia]

Re: New toforum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Re: New toforum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Makes sence. Since the 383 would just be a stroked 350 I would have thought swaping smallblock for small block would be an easier task than smallblock for big block. I have a good 350 block whch we bored 0.030 over and I have a few stroker cranks and rods. I would be reusing the exaust manifolds and investing in some 9:1 pistons and marine heads, cam, intake and carb. But that would probably be a next winter project. I sure would like to find this boat is sound, get it home, tinker with it over the winter and take it out in the summer and get a season of use out of it while I decide what I want to do with the engine. These old 350's are a great little motor, I could replace the oil with sand and kerosene and that engine would probably be like "pffffft, is that all you got?" and run another 1000 hours. I just hope the hull is solid and its as clean as it is in the pictures. I rember lusting over its design when I first saw it back in the 80's If this one doesnt work out, I will keep my eyes open for another sililar one. Hopefully I will get to meet some of you guys over the summer.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: New to forum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

You could just swap out the not so powerfull 350 you have with a... GOOD REMANUFACTURED 350 CI... of a year that has a roller cam stock & 4 bolt caps. Lot easier on reusing all the marine parts you have already. Some companies have the better profiled cams as part of the long blocks.

You need to do a LOT of surfing about... ONLY REMANUFACTURED... engines. That is after you are sure the stock boat engine is toasted or a bad year. Check block # if possible.
Assume the best. Plan for the worst.

Take the time to remove the intake manifold & gaskets. Then set the manifold back on loosely with 4 bolts & NO GASKETS. Do a warp & gaps check. Some places DO NOT machine the manifolds, or do it correctly, when they do the top of the block. Endless grief if done wrong.

You have plenty to do by opening day. Enjoy the boat.

You are going to change all the liquids & have the I/O alingment checked by a good marine mechanic.? Great.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: New to forum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Good advice so far. A professional survey would be smart too. Just don't ask the surveyor his opinion of the price in front of the seller. If the boat is as good as it looks he will say so & that will make the seller hold his price!
A 383 would be ideal in there. Just do the research and get the right coupler - flywheel - rear seal setup. Also you can't use a big overlap cam in a boat because there is water in the exhaust tract. A lumpy cam can cause the motor to suck that water back in, (reversion), and ruin the motor.
Definitely get a sea trial even though it's cold! It's better to experience a little discomfort now than rebuild the boat when it's nice out.

 

[gtochris]

Re: New to forum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Lake Hopatcong? We had a Wellcraft dealer *(Prospect Point) that sold them for Years hence alot of old ones still running around.

Looks good! That was always a Sexy boat IMO, I know of a bow rider in my neighborhood that is rotting away

 

[Bondo]

Re: New toforum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Re: New toforum, buying my first boat this week, have a few basic questions.

Makes sence. Since the 383 would just be a stroked 350 I would have thought swaping smallblock for small block would be an easier task than smallblock for big block. I have a good 350 block whch we bored 0.030 over and I have a few stroker cranks and rods. I would be reusing the exaust manifolds and investing in some 9:1 pistons and marine heads, cam, intake and carb. But that would probably be a next winter project. I sure would like to find this boat is sound, get it home, tinker with it over the winter and take it out in the summer and get a season of use out of it while I decide what I want to do with the engine. These old 350's are a great little motor, I could replace the oil with sand and kerosene and that engine would probably be like "pffffft, is that all you got?" and run another 1000 hours. I just hope the hull is solid and its as clean as it is in the pictures. I rember lusting over its design when I first saw it back in the 80's If this one doesnt work out, I will keep my eyes open for another sililar one. Hopefully I will get to meet some of you guys over the summer.

Ayuh,.... Reusin' the exhaust manifolds will be a rather poor choice, as from the pictures it seems the boat has been run in the Saltwater, 'n it sounds like yer gonna do the same...

Saltwater rots the manifolds, 'n risers...
Normally, 'bout 5 years is their Expected life time...

And,... There's No such thing as Marine Heads...