Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercruiser

[cheburashka]

Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercruiser

I'm looking at a 1990 Campion open bow with a 302 Mercruiser. Seller says it needs a water pump and that it overheated last year. I appreciate his honesty, but I'm wondering if you'd translate that as:

1) Check for some specific things I can list
2) Put in the water pump and you're most likely good to go
3) Walk away
4) Run away

He says it runs and has good compression. What kind of damage can an overheat do?

thanks

 

[achris]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

1. Mercruiser only used the 302 up to 1977, so that engine is a minimum of 35 years old!
With an overheat you have a likelihood of a burnt water pocket cover gasket, and that is a problem you do NOT want to buy...

Personally, of the list of option you have, I'd choose #4....

Chris......

 

[Don S]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Run for your life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mercruiser didn't use 302 Fords after 1974.

Even if it's a 305 Chevy, keep running. You have no idea how bad the overheat was, and without a whole lot of testing you won't find out.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

That's a lot worse than "just a needs a carb rebuild".

 

[cr2k]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Not to mention "It was running fine when we parked last fall"!

 

[cr2k]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

If he admitted to this what else is he hiding? The only person that will lie to more than a fisherman about the one that got away is the guy trying to sell you his boat.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

I'd go with #4 as well, the owner is selling his problem. Do you want to buy his problem?

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Well, I went ahead and bought it anyway, but now I'm wondering. . .

Just kidding. Thanks for the advice. I'll let this one go.

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Not sure if this makes any difference, but he was wrong about the engine. He says it's the 4.3, which sounds a little better for a boat from 1990.

Worth checking out?
If so, can anyone provide a checklist for overheat damage?

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Run !!!!!!!! If he doesn't know what engine he has, you can bet he does or won't tell you all about the overheat, or even if he knows how bad it was.

Price the boat as needing a new drive and engine and go from there. There is not "Check List"

But some of the things that need checked is a compression test, leakdown test on all cylinders, pressure test of the engines cooling system.
Look at the engine, is paint burned off the manifolds, or head or block? Holes burned in the exhaust hoses. Flappers gone.
Who knows whats burned up in the drive.

 

[achris]

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Re: Translation needed for ad that says "Boat Overheated Last Time Out." 302 Mercrui

Get an engine serial number to confirm what the engine is. All the same, engine overheat is an engine overheat, same damage... still take option #4.....