Old boat.

Dailyhazin88

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Aug 1, 2021
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Hey new to the boating world. I have recently got a 1989 Svb 198 xls with the 5.0 mercruiser. The boat has been sitting since 2009. I got the boat home cleaned it up an put a battery in it an the motor was locked. Pulled the sparkplugs out found that cylinders 5 an 7 was my problem so I mixed up some fancy juice for those cylinders an let it sit for 3 days. Well she finally released an was spinning great. So I put some fresh gas in an busted that ol girl up an let it run for 45 min no skipping just purred like a kitten. Well my question is would yall trust this thunderbolt ingition or should I freshen it up? Like maybe try an find me a backup thunderbolt ingition box? Any opinions would be great. Thanks Matt
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... I'd be more worried 'bout the crap in the gas tank, than the t-bolt ignition,.....
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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welcome aboard

I would do a compression check on 5 and 7

I would also ask yourself why those two were your problem (such as leaking manifold, etc) a V8 will "pure like a kitten" running on 5 cylinders

then I would replace all the rubber bits, pull the drive, inspect the u-joints and gimbal, replace the bellows, split the case, replace the raw water pump, clean the fuel system, put some protectant on all the soft surfaces

at the most, a new $40 3-wire trigger assembly if you have a 2-wire trigger assembly in your dizzy the ignition box is nearly bullet proof. the 2-wire triggers will eventually fail.
 

Dailyhazin88

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Aug 1, 2021
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Hey thanks for the feedback! I've done a little research on the drive. Is there a parts company you would recommend? I noticed when I had it running it was in gear. I think something is going on with the shift cable. An I believe that the manifold needs a new gasket where the water comes in. I believe you pull 4 bolts off an lift that upper manifold off an change that gasket. What kind of protectant would you recommend?
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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for marine specific parts for the drive, etc, OEM mercruiser parts

the exhaust elbow gasket you mention should come from Mercruiser or Quicksilver

for base engine specific parts, a reputable GM motor parts source

for cables, iBoats sells cables.

protectant for what?
 

Dailyhazin88

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2021
Messages
12
for marine specific parts for the drive, etc, OEM mercruiser parts

the exhaust elbow gasket you mention should come from Mercruiser or Quicksilver

for base engine specific parts, a reputable GM motor parts source

for cables, iBoats sells cables.

protectant for what?
You said put some protectant on my soft surfaces. In your first post.
 
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