Time to give her some love 1977 invader executive elite

P

phish79

Cadet
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
22
Hi guys as u can see i have a '77 invader with a 188hp mercruiser with a ford 302 in her. I'm sure you have heard the story before but i am young (29)and dumb and single and figured hell free boat.. why not. The tandem axle trailer and parts in her are worth it alone.

So.. on to the questions. I have been reading your forums extensively and hoped i could get some help with getting the old girl back on the water. I just got the 2barrel rochester carb rebuilt so i know i am good there. drained the oil and change that and am good, no leaks.. and from what i can tell no cracks in the block and still has the anti freeze in it from winterizing it. Put a fresh optima in her and the electrical system is fubar.. all shorted so on to tracing wiring before firing. My stern drive needs the most attention. I believe it to be a MR. When i winterized it i lowered the unit to drain any water in it and out poured all the gear oil.. so I have inspected the upper half.. gears and bearings look ok.. no metal shavings. I removed the lower unit and it is um.. well locked up. What can i do to rebuild it and not drop 700 bucks.. so far i got the boat free and got about a 150 in her in parts. if i get her opporational i will look to refinish her.
 

Attachments

  • '77 INVADER EXECUTIVE ELITE1.JPG
    '77 INVADER EXECUTIVE ELITE1.JPG
    52.7 KB · Views: 0
  • '77 INVADER EXECUTIVE ELITE3.JPG
    '77 INVADER EXECUTIVE ELITE3.JPG
    54.8 KB · Views: 0
  • '77 INVADER EXECUTIVE ELITE.JPG
    '77 INVADER EXECUTIVE ELITE.JPG
    56.1 KB · Views: 0
I

IVAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
816
Re: Time to give her some love 1977 invader executive elite

If you?re sure it needs to be rebuilt you might be better off trying to find a used one. The drives can?t be rebuilt by the common joe due to specialized tools required.
 
H

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Time to give her some love 1977 invader executive elite

How do you know it's locked up. And what do you mean by "lowered the unit and the oil drained out"? Seems like if the oil poured out simply by lowering the sterndrive, you have a major issue.
 
P

phish79

Cadet
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
22
Re: Time to give her some love 1977 invader executive elite

How do you know it's locked up. And what do you mean by "lowered the unit and the oil drained out"? Seems like if the oil poured out simply by lowering the sterndrive, you have a major issue

1. I believe its locked up because i cannot turn the drive shaft by hand or with a wrench. Also the prop shaft free spins in one direction. doesn't feel like the foward, reverse gears are engaged.

2. I let the stern drive down with the hydraulic rams, and within a day or two all the gear oil was drained.. I believe that the prop shaft is bent and damaged/ bent the seals. Hence allowing all the gear oil to drain out but its a guess until i can get it opened up properly.
 
H

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Time to give her some love 1977 invader executive elite

That makes it more clear. I was hoping you just lowered the drive and removed the plug and the gear oil drained out, but it does sound like the seals are damaged. You should try to find a used unit, or your can get one of the SEI lower unit/complete sterndrives if it will mate up to your bell housing.
 
P

phish79

Cadet
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
22
Re: Time to give her some love 1977 invader executive elite

So what all would be involve if i wanted to rebuild it? is it hopeless? I have been watching craigslist for used ones but its a crapshoot. I hate to throw good money at a boat that may not be worth it. I am kinda trying to get her running cheaply first.. then restore once i am sure its something i want to really sink my cash into. Ahh the dilema of boat ownership... throw money at it.:)
 
P

phish79

Cadet
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
22
Re: Time to give her some love 1977 invader executive elite

Well just an update.. Gave up for now on trying to rebuild the lower unit that had the gears seized. Luckily found one on CL from a guy used that had been pressure tested with no problems and the gears work in both forward and reverse (better than the last one) set me back 140.00 so now for the installation. Installed a new impeller and gasket set. Just grease the splines and re install? Any pointers to make sure i this one is in good working condition and stays that way? Yes i will make sure to fill it with gear oil as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Hope to have her ready for the 4th..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top