Re: White Sludge 4.3 OMC 1988
The hull and stringers are in excellent shape...There was a little damage done to the bow the first time I took her out for a shakedown in which I had a total electrical system failure and had to be towed back to the ramp. Erosion preventative rocks at the Citrus County, FL county boat ramp in Crystal River did this (no power to manuver.) I took some epoxy glass filler and patched sanded it up and sprayed it white...Given the chalky gelcoat you can't tell it was ever damaged. No blisters, and fresh bottom paint.
The floor is on okay condition...I know this because I've had it up to replace the corroded aluminum fuel tank with one from Overtons. It's only 28 gallons now which I do not like. But for lakes, rivers, and intercoastal areas of Florida for scuba which is what I bought the boat for it's adequate. This may create low speed planing issues.
In any event the floor deck is not as thick as I would like for the pedistal chair at the helm so I built it up with a 3/4 inch piece around the helm to spread the stress. I've re-glassed the entire floor to keep any water from potentially rotting the deck and the new fuel tank is plastic so it will never have to come out.
I have not checked with Jasper...I have contacted ebasic power there in NC, and another vendor in Hollywood Florida and done some other checking on the net. I've basically found out that getting a base engine with water pump and intake is not going to happen. and long blocks depending on the vendor varies from $1300-$3700...
the best deal I have found for a long block is (Im not sure about this boards advertising rule quirks but I'll risk it is) $1300 for a long block from
http://www.rapidomarine.com/ in Hollywood, FL
I am really bummed out about those manifolds though...Especially since I saw a siezed 4.3 88 model (complete engine with all accessories) with good OEM manifolds on ebay up in Michigan the other day...Sold for $455 I did not know mine were cracked when that auction was going on.
I got half a mind (sometimes literally 8) ) to take my cutting torch to the sides of those manifolds and re-assemble them with 6011, 301, or nirod (if cast) if I could get my hands on a pre-welded blueprint of those manifolds to know beforehand of what I would be getting into inside This is not something that one would normally find in a service manual...These would be the engineering break-down drafts of the manifold pieces prior to cast or assembly. I noticed grinder marks on the bottom of the manifolds under the paint so I am not certain if they are cast or standard carbon steel.
If they are cast not much (if anything) may be inside because welding cast is not easy. If they are welded carbon steel components there is no telling what may be found inside.
If they are cast and no sub componenents on the inside it's a simple matter to patiently sand and lite some nirod. Something tells me there is more than a single chamber inside though.
