Instead of starting a bunch of threads about what is turning out to be a project, I figured I'd just do it all here. I was given a boat with a 305 mercruiser and apha 1 (I believe) outdrive. The boat is a mid 80s century cuddy and it is rotten to the core (pun intended). The engine had water in it and has a bad rod knock (or wildebeest in crank case, not certain yet). Some of you probably watched the video. This boat came at a good time because I've been looking for a motor to rebuild. I havent done one in a while and I've not done a push rod V8 which I've wanted to do. Most of my other work has been OHC european imports. I've also rebuilt 2 stroke outboard powerheads. This will be my first ever sterdrive project and it should be fun.
I think its certain that the boat should probably be scrapped for parts and the engine as well but I've always found joy in restoration of the unrestorable. I brought back an old glass tracker bass boat from the dead and fish it regularly now. I currently also have a 20' seacraft that I've been working on for a few years.
I will start a thread for the hull somewhere else when I get to it but I'll be posting about the motor/outdrive here. I'll have some questions I'm sure. Step one is to remove the engine so I can truthfully assess it's viability. I'll be taking it to a buddy's house tomorrow who has a backhoe that we can lift it out with. This means that today I will disconnect it from the boat (except the bolts). I started by removing the outdrive and there was another surprise! (not totally) The bellows was full of sludge. Water/oil mix. Smelled like gear oil but what came out of the drain in the lower unit was just oil so....IDK. I've attached a pic for reference. I'll pull the upper vent plug and see what is in there. I need to make a stand for this pig. It's heavy and awkward.
I think its certain that the boat should probably be scrapped for parts and the engine as well but I've always found joy in restoration of the unrestorable. I brought back an old glass tracker bass boat from the dead and fish it regularly now. I currently also have a 20' seacraft that I've been working on for a few years.
I will start a thread for the hull somewhere else when I get to it but I'll be posting about the motor/outdrive here. I'll have some questions I'm sure. Step one is to remove the engine so I can truthfully assess it's viability. I'll be taking it to a buddy's house tomorrow who has a backhoe that we can lift it out with. This means that today I will disconnect it from the boat (except the bolts). I started by removing the outdrive and there was another surprise! (not totally) The bellows was full of sludge. Water/oil mix. Smelled like gear oil but what came out of the drain in the lower unit was just oil so....IDK. I've attached a pic for reference. I'll pull the upper vent plug and see what is in there. I need to make a stand for this pig. It's heavy and awkward.
