new to me saltwater boat

[Triangleboater]

Well I have a new to me 1997 Caravelle 1750 bowrider. It is in fairly rough cosmetic shape (left out for a a year in the sun uncovered). So I need to do some work to the vinyl and such but hey the boat was a whooping $1!!!. It is in great shape structurally other than that. It was left bow up with plug out.

What I am worried about is the engine. It hasn't been run since September 2013 and the last time it was run was in salt and not flushed. I did do a compression test and got 150-160psi in all 4 cylinders. (It has the 3.0 lx with alpha gen 2). It also didn't have water in the cylinders so I believe I am good there. I did check the oil and it is all oil and not milky.

Ok with all that being said, I know I need to do a alot to get this thing ready for the water in the spring. I know that salt water has done some damage in a year plus. (I did flush it first thing). The list below is what I already have on the list. Please let me know if I am on the right track and if there is anything else I should consider.

List of new items
1. Stern drive water pump impeller kit
2. Exhaust manifold and riser.
3. bellows
4. New hoses for raw water all around.
5. drain and clean fuel tank.
6. Clean carb
7, change lower unit oil
8. change engine oil.

Allright, that is all i can think of for now.
Let me know your thoughts, concerns. all of that.

Also, can someone tell me the size bolts i need to attach the hot wires to the back of the 50amp circuit breaker?
Thanks!
Johnny

 

[alldodge]

Well I have a new to me 1997 Caravelle 1750 bowrider. It is in fairly rough cosmetic shape (left out for a a year in the sun uncovered). So I need to do some work to the vinyl and such but hey the boat was a whooping $1!!!. It is in great shape structurally other than that. It was left bow up with plug out.

What I am worried about is the engine. It hasn't been run since September 2013 and the last time it was run was in salt and not flushed. I did do a compression test and got 150-160psi in all 4 cylinders. (It has the 3.0 lx with alpha gen 2). It also didn't have water in the cylinders so I believe I am good there. I did check the oil and it is all oil and not milky.

Ok with all that being said, I know I need to do a alot to get this thing ready for the water in the spring. I know that salt water has done some damage in a year plus. (I did flush it first thing). The list below is what I already have on the list. Please let me know if I am on the right track and if there is anything else I should consider.

List of new items
1. Stern drive water pump impeller kit
2. Exhaust manifold and riser.
3. bellows
4. New hoses for raw water all around.
5. drain and clean fuel tank.
6. Clean carb
7, change lower unit oil
8. change engine oil.

Allright, that is all i can think of for now.
Let me know your thoughts, concerns. all of that.

Also, can someone tell me the size bolts i need to attach the hot wires to the back of the 50amp circuit breaker?
Thanks!
Johnny

Check gimbal bearing and do an engine alignment.
Check/replace distributer cap, rotor, plugs, etc as needed

Is the 50amp breaker missing? The terminals in most case are number 10 and wire in 10 AWG

 

[Triangleboater]

Good idea on the engine alignment and the ignition stuff was on the list just forgot to add that. Thank you for the advice!

I have everything for the breaker, just need the nut size to attach the terminals to the posts.

 

[Volphin]

Just as a precaution, take some carb cleaner to the flame arrestor and clean it up as well. In the Spring, check the timing, idle and carb mixture.

 

[BRG25]

Was the water drained from the block and exhaust manifolds when you got it? If not there is a very good chance it has cracked. Does it run now?

 

[alldodge]

Good idea on the engine alignment and the ignition stuff was on the list just forgot to add that. Thank you for the advice!

I have everything for the breaker, just need the nut size to attach the terminals to the posts.

As before I cannot say with certainty if they are 10-24 or 10-32 threads. The trouble you can run into if your putting new terminals on the end of the wire is the standard 10AWG wire terminal usually has a larger hole then a number 10. You could also have a breaker with a 1/4-20 stud. Measure across the stud and get the distance. 1/4 is 1/4 or 0.250 and 10 is 0.19

 

[Triangleboater]

Very nice! Thank you for the input.

Yes the water was drained from the block and like I said, from the research I have done it seems everything checks out, (compression, no water in the oil, no water in the cylinders).

Where can I find the spark arrester?

Also, the engine has not been run, I don't want to run it as I don't know the condition of the impeller and there isn't water in the block or manifold now and I would like to keep it that way till spring. Although I guess I could just drain it after I run it.

 

[Bondo]

Very nice! Thank you for the input.

Yes the water was drained from the block and like I said, from the research I have done it seems everything checks out, (compression, no water in the oil, no water in the cylinders).

Where can I find the spark arrester?

Also, the engine has not been run, I don't want to run it as I don't know the condition of the impeller and there isn't water in the block or manifold now and I would like to keep it that way till spring. Although I guess I could just drain it after I run it.

Ayuh,.... It's the thingy that sets on top of the Carb,....

 

[Fishermark]

Ayuh,.... It's the thingy that sets on top of the Carb,....

Bondo - you're a bad man.

Yes - it is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the air cleaner.

 

[Triangleboater]

got ya, it does look a lot like a filter doesn't it.