Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

[djmeaney]

Here are some pics of my '71 SS that I picked up a few weeks ago. Actually, the photos are from last May when the boat was advertised for sale about 3 hours away from me. I took a pass at that time because it was $1,200. The boat was sold to another guy in June who ran it until August when an engine problem surfaced. He sold the boat to me for $500 -- after putting a new prop, starter and alternator into it.

Turns out the engine has a cracked head.

I'm onto repowering to now. I responded to a Craigslist ad for a free boat about 3 hours away that the owner was looking to sell. The boat and motor (3.0 Mercruiser) were free. They wanted $1,100 for the trailer. It was a project that they never made time for. After trading a few e-mails, the seller is allowing me to take the motor, and Alpha One outdrive, including gimbal housing for free -- as long I can remove them. On Monday, I'll be heading down to see what I can do. They have never run the engine, but as recently as a couple of weeks they were able to "turn it over" so it's not seized.

If that motor doesn't work out, there's a 2.5L that is available for $325, and a 3.0L for $500 nearby. So we've got some options .

I'll post some updated pics in the next couple of days.

The manufacturer?s plate says it's an 18? SuperSport - V I/O. Is there a way to confirm this a '71 by the serial number? I guess it's too old to have a HIN?


Dan

 

[InMotion]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Hey DJ... Nice looking boat you've got there! Nothin' like a little elbow work and elbow grease to get the blood flowing! That thing will move out with a 3.0!

Looking forward to following your re-build thread!

IM

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Nice dj! That 18' SS is a totally awesome do everything set up, well done!

Don't let any of the OB guys around here give ya a hard time, they have jealousy issues

 

[dozerII]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Great boat, DJ, older twin to mine, and ya I/O are no big deal to work on, and for the most part you can fix them without having to go see your banker.lol

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Welcome & real nice looking boat! It was awfully nice of that other guy to take the $1200 + parts hit & sell it to you for $500, cracked head & all.

Hope the engine removals & swap works out....

 

[djmeaney]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

JB,

The guy I bought her from just wanted it out of his yard. Sounds like he had a lot of fun with it for two months, but didn't want to put any more money into it. He and his wife had also recently bought a house and it sounds like that was where his money would be going.

Oh yea, he also put new tires on the tires and bearing buddies on the trailer...

 

[djmeaney]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Dozer,

Great boat, DJ, older twin to mine, and ya I/O are no big deal to work on, and for the most part you can fix them without having to go see your banker.lol

I checked out your resto thread -- really impressive. My goal is much less ambitious -- get it running and out on the water. Maybe get it all pretty and stuff when I have to replace the floor.

My 12 year old son is getting into it -- he wants to know when we are going to use the engine hoist

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

JB, The guy I bought her from just wanted it out of his yard. Sounds like he had a lot of fun with it for two months, but didn't want to put any more money into it. He and his wife had also recently bought a house and it sounds like that was where his money would be going. Oh yea, he also put new tires on the tires and bearing buddies on the trailer...

Hey, it looks like a great rig & price, no matter the other guy's circumstance. But he's probably wisely following his Admiral's directives
The parts he added to the motor & trailer are all an extra bonus too. Well done, however it ended up yours

My 12 year old son is getting into it -- he wants to know when we are going to use the engine hoist

Then your son will love demo when you get to that point later.

 

[djmeaney]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Made some progress today.

Was able to get the outdrive off (that was pretty easy) and get the motor out of the boat. That was a bit more of challenge because of the height of the transom from the ground (about 55 inches) combined with the width of the back deck. I'm using a 'Shop Crane' , which is probably not quite as good as a true engine hoist.

The crane arm just clears the 55 inch height. However, I needed to raise the trailer tongue to lower the transom so that I could have adequate reach to raise the motor and clear the front of the back deck. I think I may see if the back deck can be removed when it comes to install the 3.0. Or see if I can scare up a crane like Dozer used on his SS

Off to get the 3.0 and Alpha One on Monday...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Might get a tow truck driver to lift the motor in for you. If you aren't in a rush & can be flexible, let them pick the day & time when their 'close' and get it done for a bit less $.

Have a safe round trip on Monday

 

[djmeaney]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Might get a tow truck driver to lift the motor in for you. If you aren't in a rush & can be flexible, let them pick the day & time when their 'close' and get it done for a bit less $.

Have a safe round trip on Monday

JB, That's a great idea! That'll be my "Plan B" from Monday too.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pics of my new (to me) '71 SS

Thanks, I wish it was an original thought. Iboat's tip #11243