NEWB with 1986 seafarer

[halltrail]

Hello, my first post and first boat. I took a risk and bought a GW seafarer 1986 227. It has a 4.3l gen + thunder V ignition. It is carbed. Then engine lower was rebuilt and has 15 hours on it and has been sitting since 2003. The boat is structurally very sound....stringers and transom are rock solid...at least the stringers that I can see. I took a risk because it wasn't running...I know I know...but I got it for cheap. I can probably sell the trailer off and make back 60% of what I paid.

I changed the fuel pump and filter today and im running the fuel line from a small 6 gallon tank to eliminate fuel take issues. I am getting fuel up to the carb. not sure if it is making into the carb. Im by my self at the moment. It turns over with a squirt of starter fluid. I suspect the carb is gummed up a bit. Any suggestions? Im going to get some carb cleaner and try that. Thanks in advance and excited to be apart of the forum here and a GW owner. Engine serial number is 0m008448 if that helps.

 

[VeroWing]

Well, if I were attempting to get an engine running after sitting for 11 years, I would start by pulling/replacing plugs, checking compression, change oil, filter, water pump/gear oil, and rebuild carb. Remove old fuel and fuel/water separator and filter(s). I would also replace all fuel lines starting from fuel filler. Next I would get water circulating thruout, spin motor and check oil pressure. If that checks out, check for spark and give it a go. If you have a Mercruiser drive, here is a Mercruiser forum I go to for good info from knowledgeable people. http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser-i-o ... drives-21/

Good luck with boat!

 

[halltrail]

Thank you. I'm working on all that you listed. So far I have a new fuel filter, oil filter, fuel pump. Pulling the plugs to replace now. Checked Compression one cylinder so far. .150 psi. She starts easy with starter fluid and ours very nice. I think you are probably right on needing car b rebuilt. I'm getting fuel to the carb. . Bowl is filling up. ... Not seeing fuel coming out of the two holes in carb. I'll take carb apart again and blow those holes out instead of just flushing with carb cleaner.

 

[halltrail]

Oil pressure is at 40 psi when she turns over on starter fluid

 

[VeroWing]

Oil pressure is at 40 psi when she turns over on starter fluid

It's good to see oil pressure is pumping up, and motor starts with starter fluid. That carb is most likely gummed up from sitting so long. You could most likely get a basic rebuild kit and a few cans of carb cleaner and clean up the bowl and passageways and be back in business, if you're handy with mechanicals. Post up some pics of your boat when you get a chance.

 

[halltrail]

Update, I took the carb apart and soaked most of the parts and then blew them out with air and reinstalled. She now starts on her own. Runs for about 15-20 seconds..surges a little and the stops running. So I may still have some carb work to do. Probably need to work on the choke. My starboard riser is running very hot and the port is cool. So I took off the thermostat housing and I guess the thermostat sleeve is completely seized up. Off to get more parts. I assume that sleeve is supposed to move up and down. It is stuck in the down position.

 

[halltrail]

Update: I replaced the starboard riser with a new two piece setup. I also figured out my fuel problem. The fuel pump was not getting power from the oil pressure switch. I jumped the switch and she ran great. The oil pressure switch and sender were pretty corroded and just broke off while trying to replace. Now I need to order the T and the bushing to fix that. The only big thing left is to replace the impeller. It seems to be working fine...but it has been sitting for a long time.