Mercruiser 165 ??

[newellchunker]

I'm new to the forum and was wondering what the opinions of an old MCruiser 165 are? I have just purchased an ole gal that came w/165 and since I have never heard the motor run (was told it ran fine when parked 2 years ago) I'm going to pull the engine and outdrive and basically rebuild the boat and need some ideas on whether it is worth the time and trouble to check this engine out or fill in the transom, add a bracket and put an outboard on her?

[RickK]

Hey, WELCOME ABOARD newellchunker!!  Hang in there, there'll be plenty of opinions on your situation.  Any pix?

[JimCt]

Hey Chunker!

For an old motor if it's raw water cooled and has lived in salt water, you may be spending more money on it than it's worth. If the drive is pre-alpha, parts can be a problem.  If you're new to I/O's like I am, there's some good reading here: http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewforum;fid=24

What's the boat?  Can you post some pictures?

[newellchunker]

Thanks, are ya'll sure you want pics of her?? I'll try and upload some! Check her out in the members area pics, I have no idea how to post a pic in this reply [/img]

[JimCt]

If you do want to post from the gallery, RickK put this up a while ago on how:

Go find the picture you want to use in a post and click on it so you see it in it's largest size. Now look down the page and the last line in the info below the pic is this line: "UBBCode: img]http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/data/......JPG[/img" (I purposely left off the starting [ before img and ending ] after the last img so you could see what is between them)
You highlight everything except the UBBCode: and paste it in your thread. It's that easy.

[jdupree]

I'm new to the forum and was wondering what the opinions of an old MCruiser 165 are? I have just purchased an ole gal that came w/165 and since I have never heard the motor run (was told it ran fine when parked 2 years ago) I'm going to pull the engine and outdrive and basically rebuild the boat and need some ideas on whether it is worth the time and trouble to check this engine out or fill in the transom, add a bracket and put an outboard on her?

Welcome :!: What part of eastern N.C. are you in I live in Winterville which is right outside of Greenville.

[newellchunker]

jdupree, I live close to Kenansville, have you done the rebuild thing yet?? I'm gonna need lots of help and insight! I'm going to try and post a pic and see if this works of my project.... Thanks for the pic info JimCt and YES, that is a Stainless Steel trailer :)

[RickK]

Man, from the side it looks like a racing boat of sorts, the way the console is so low and forward.  I looked in your gallery to see the rest of the pixs - is the console really mounted there or just sitting there? Trying to figure out how the boat was driven - had to be the last owner sat in the port seat or on top of it?

[newellchunker]

RickK,

As I understand it, the man I bought her from, got her from a commercial fisherman, he told me that the man was a shrimper???? Anyway, that's where the console was and apparently the commercial just stood and drove her? I hope that I can make her look alot different I know that I have my work cut out for me!!

[RickK]

You have the main "canvas", now it's up to you to create a masterpiece.

[newellchunker]

Well.....now I am super embarassed, my son (17yrs old) kept telling me that the engine I thought was a 165 straight 6, was indeed what he kept telling me it was...... a 3.0L 4 cylinder . It goes to show the old man (me) should have looked at the engine instead of assuming that the stickers on the hull were correct and my son was wrong .  We didn't get a chance to try and run it today, however we should tomorrow and that will be my deciding factor if I keep it as an I/O or close in the transom and add a bracket and outboard!

[JimCt]

Kids know everything.    

[RickK]

Well.....now I am super embarassed, my son (17yrs old) kept telling me that the engine I thought was a 165 straight 6, was indeed what he kept telling me it was...... a 3.0L 4 cylinder . It goes to show the old man (me) should have looked at the engine instead of assuming that the stickers on the hull were correct and my son was wrong .  We didn't get a chance to try and run it today, however we should tomorrow and that will be my deciding factor if I keep it as an I/O or close in the transom and add a bracket and outboard!

Me not knowing much about a marine engine (I/O), but being around a regular automotive engine for a few years, I'm sure you'll check the obvious before cranking her off - how's the oil look, hoses, fuel/water separator (definitely look there), make sure the thing is well vented, battery charged, terminals look ok, air filter clean?  Did I miss anything?
Good luck with starting her.

[RickK]

...and YES, that is a Stainless Steel trailer :)

I'm intriqued with the trailer - very unique in all stainless.  How did it tow?  Is it legal? Maybe it was built just to put the boat in and out of the water and not be towed?  What type of suspension is on it?
I can't see the front of the trailer to see any hardware - how did they get the boat up on the bunks - float her on?  The front post is a little "boat unfriendly" - did it damage the bow of the boat?
What are you plans with the trailer? (No, I don't want to buy it - just being nosey)  

[newellchunker]

RickK,
That's the real sad thing about the engine being a 4 banger and all, in my previous life (career) over 20 yrs ago now,  I was an auto technician, I mainly did electrical troubleshooting and such, but that's what help put the groceries on the table.

As far as the trailer, NO, the bow stop is not boat friendly. The trailer rides on regular springs and such, no brakes, stainless axles. There is a winch post and winch on it. I am lucky in the fact that I have a good friend that is a welding instructor and I can get some work done for a very fair price....materials! As far as I know, it is legal here in NC, as long as I get it inspected by an agent of the Dept. of Motor Vehicles and he approves it.  Are you sure you don't wanna buy it??? I would honestly prefer a roller trailer, as I think they are more hull friendly by the way they support the hull???