Any tips on motorboating a lower unit ?

[fastfredracing]

I really want to stop , but I cant

[masraum]

I'd recommend that you stick with inboard.

Unless you really want to go outboard, not that there's anything wrong with that, if it's "your thing."

And these days, you've got to confirm that you don't go inboard-outboard. Let's not add any confusion to the mix.

[id10t]

Anyone have a bookmark to PoP's "Slap that cratch" ?

[stevej37]

Motorboating can work on upper or lower units.

[Nostril Cheese]

nacho cheese labia, yo

[LEAKYSEALS951]

[pavulon]

They need to be rinsed between put-ins...zebra mussels and all.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by pavulon

They need to be rinsed between put-ins...zebra mussels and all.

I’m not sure rinsing is enough to prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species in unfamiliar bodies of water...

[BK911]

Gotsta pass the sniff test first.

[Fast Freddy 944]

At least you guys are jovial, due to the friggen ice and snow storm, my beautiful Chris Craft engine block is cracked. Im in Texas and we never get cold, block is cracked and now the yacht is a row boat..

[unclebilly]

^^^ what engine do you have? Also depending on where the crack is assuming you have raw water cooling, you could wind up sinking it.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

^^^ what engine do you have? Also depending on where the crack is assuming you have raw water cooling, you could wind up sinking it.

350 cid mercruiser. The outside water jackets froze, leaving hair line cracks. Engine still runs, but some water go into the exhaust ports and turned the oil into chocolate milk. A night mare...It never really gets below 20F rounds these parts, it got down to -4 here, and no power or water for a week....A terrible nightmare, but hey, I made it to the other side, not for 50 fellow Texans though. Its a shame, we have nuculear and coal plants that could have stopped this. The marina lost power, my shore power shut off, the bilge pumps shut off. A 50 cruiser sunk, drowning out 2 expensive Cats..Bad time all round...

[unclebilly]

My brother bought an insurance write off with a 305 in it last year and rebuilt it. He then decided he wanted more power and bought a 1997 350 out of a Tahoe and built it up to about 400HP. It’s a pretty inexpensive engine to rebuild. Engines are not too expensive and if you get a late model engine, really all you need to do is put in the windage tray and oil pan, a marine cam, bronze frost plugs. You will probably want to run your heads and manifold. You should run your marine carb as well as they are set up differently than an automotive carb (this is important for liability reasons).

You can fix this for under $1000 if you can do the work yourself.

[Coverman]

On a lot of boats,certainly my cabin cruiser with hardtop wheelhouse, getting the engine out is the biggest problem. All sorts of work needed to the interior, and roof removal, just to get access for the engine crane.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

My brother bought an insurance write off with a 305 in it last year and rebuilt it. He then decided he wanted more power and bought a 1997 350 out of a Tahoe and built it up to about 400HP. It’s a pretty inexpensive engine to rebuild. Engines are not too expensive and if you get a late model engine, really all you need to do is put in the windage tray and oil pan, a marine cam, bronze frost plugs. You will probably want to run your heads and manifold. You should run your marine carb as well as they are set up differently than an automotive carb (this is important for liability reasons).

You can fix this for under $1000 if you can do the work yourself.

Nice! The intereting thing is, if the block freezes, shouldnt the freeze plugs popped out. Im not sure if this 1984 Mercruiser 350 cid chevy motor had them? I had a 76 camaro with a 350 and it did have the freeze plugs, but my shop manual showed no plugs, unless I was looking in the wrong area? Is it possable for water to seep back into the engine's exhaust ports from the water cooled exhaust manifolds if its old and worn out? I appreciate the help...

[unclebilly]

There will be 4 frost plugs (2 on each side) and I think 2 in the bell housing of that engine.

Also check your exhaust manifolds. They are likely cracked too. This is pretty common on non winterized boats here.

[unclebilly]

Now back on topic...

[mattdavis11]

Saw one block last week that was cracked at the mating surface for the heads, inside surface. It was pretty bad. The freeze plugs were somewhat pushed out, but not enough to save it. 350, Lake Travis. Lots of boats in Texas out there with cracked blocks.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by Coverman

On a lot of boats,certainly my cabin cruiser with hardtop wheelhouse, getting the engine out is the biggest problem. All sorts of work needed to the interior, and roof removal, just to get access for the engine crane.

Just a bimini on this one, and it can be lowered, the hatch is huge, and 2 or three folks can stand down in there. Its a fun boat, and it cruises and planes out perfectly..This is a heartbreaker...

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

There will be 4 frost plugs (2 on each side) and I think 2 in the bell housing of that engine.

Also check your exhaust manifolds. They are likely cracked too. This is pretty common on non winterized boats here.

Thanks Uncle Hillbilly. Ill take a closer look, im going down to the marina this weekend. I hope this one just popped its freeze plugs, yeup the exhaust manifold did rust out, and its flaking like a fried pork chop...They will need replacing...should I put some marvels mystery oil in the soupy oil in the block, or leave it be?