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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Ok Guys.. this one I will definatly need some help with. We had the old tri-hull out last weekend... ran good but need to replace the impellor, and steering cable.... (off subject) So my neighbor comes over and asks if I can take him to the gas station for some smokes, beer etc... I went ahead and did it. We got to talking about an old motorhome he had parked on the hill, and I was in need of a table so we went up to take a look. We got to talking about 2 old boats he had sitting there with about 3 ft of grass around them... Asked what the old lady was going to do with them and he said she wants to get rid of them. I poked around with the one with 3.8 inboard ahile looked at him and said "not really looking for another project, but I'll give $150 for the boat, motor, and trailer. I told him that was my only dollar since I was not in need of another." Needless to say he came down a bit later and said $150 was fine. Since I know I can get that out of the trailer alone It's not an issue. Pulled it back home to fine out theres very little "bad" wood on the boat, needs a good cleaning and interior work, but transom, floor, motor mount area are all solid. Heres the catch... They do alot of scrapping... so most any copper wire was stripped from the boat and melted. Including the main Harness, Hoping wire colors from the motor side match what is left from under the dash. Filled the cylinders with oil tonight and tommorrow I'll check to see if it turns. ran out of daylight to get pics or anything

I'll need help on this one... I should also add I am content on the camper we bought (tired of fixing them) and if this boat works out.... I told the wifey it would be the last for awhile. I'll leave building one off to the side for the winter, and me and the boy can work on this one.

On another laugh.. My other neighbor came by and said he'd by the motor from us if were not keeping the boat... I laughed and told him not real soon but it will be on the water... he said not this year. I chuckled and asked him if he wanted to wager anything on that. Of course he refused.
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Ok.. Still no pictures. Wife says she cant find the cord to the camera.. and it uses an odd card.

Here are the colors of the wires... its an omc 3.8, Prolly 82 or 83 year. Can get a model number etc if needed. Any help would be appreciated.

Heavy Gauge wire:
Red
Yellow
Orange

Maybe 14 gauge wire??
Blue
Brown
Grey
White with Green dots
White and Purple
Yellow with Red
White with Blue dots

I've got no clue where these go and would prefer to not go through the headache of tracing wires.

I hooked up a couple of +/- cables today and jumped the starter soleniod. Turned right over... of course throwing the oil I put in it last night all over the place. Turned over for periods of about 15 seconds and made no abnormal noises... I guess on to the next step, the wiring and if I can come across a compression tester I'll do that as well
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Calico · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 9:32 pm Post subject:

This might help if your boat conforms?

http://www.boatbuildingonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1482
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

So I pulled the fuse panel out of the dash today and to me suprise the original harness was just cut right behind the plug. So I should be safe to say I can just run some new wires and connect them to the wires up front. My next question.... I have both ends of the plug where the harness connects to the motor, however where is was cut I only have about 1 1/4 inch of wire. Should I just clip the harness out or should I try to attach my new wires to the plug??? Please let me know what we think.

With a real good scrubbing (alot of moss from sitting in field) It is really a very good boat.. Almost feel bad for paying only $150.... Naaaaaaaa They needed the money bad... Even had a pair of rotted skis and a decent tow rope under the seat
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Wimperdink · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 2328

I personally would use the harness and solder your new wires on... might help with future confusion should something come unplugged.
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Update:::
Tried to use the harness but wouldn't work. Didn't notice until I went to rewire that the other side of the harness about 1/2 wires were cut. These were not the same colors as the other side. Have gotten most wires needed to run it hooked up. Some through trial and error. Still having trouble trying to figure out some gauges but I'll work a bit more tommorrow.
Checked the compression. 165, 165, 175, 165, 150, 170 the one that was 150 concerns me a bit... we'll have to see how it goes. The tester I had was goofy and had to have the guage sitting flat on the floor. Could of been my error. Also because I was jumping the soleniod on the starter and this one happens to have been the plug exactly above where I was with my screwdriver.
Since they didn't seem terrible..Got an oil filter, and fresh oil today... Pulled the fuel sending unit out of the tank and it didn't look like there was much if any gas in there... Put plugs in it, hooked it up to the hose, and turned it over (this is where trial and error on the wire colors come in) Suprisingly with a shot of fuel in the carb it fired right up... ran for a bit and then seemed like it was starving for fuel... Might need a carb rebuild but we'll have to see. Idled it up a bit and it would stay running.... I'm nervous because I'm scared to overheat the motor, even hooked up to the hose. I need to get the temp gauge working (or so I know it is working)

All that good and the prop refuses to spin... at all. I'm hoping that it is the linkage? with the shift cables? (Ive never had shift cables before) So I'll lower the rear end and see whats inside. It is very hard to move the throttle lever forward or reverse and all the cables seem good. Took apart the linkage above the motor and it is definatly somthing after that.

Well here are a few pictures and I'll post my new results tommorrow

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Calico · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:50 pm Post subject:

That looks pretty clean. What kind of outdrive is it? Might as well drain it and see what comes out before getting too far into everything else.
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

It;s an OMC 3.8l with a OMC 800 outdrive.

Pulled the lower unit to see what was up with the shifting. Oil looked good. I pulled the shift linkage apart and tinkered with the gears a bit. Finally took a screwdriver and pried on the gear a bit. when both ways with it and it broke free. Not sure if theres enough movement in it yet but It looks like it will be. Since the lower unit was off I went ahead and pulled the upper housing to get to the impeller. Pulled it out and found it intact but missing the very end of three. I refuse to put it back together without replacing the impeller first. Don't want to pull it all apart if I don't have to for a few years. I need to get three broken bolts from the top of the housing. I have about 1 inch of bolt showing so it shouldn't be too difficult wih a good pair of vise-grips. 2 of the three were broke from before... I did the last!!!

Worked on the wiring again today. Got the radio, gas gauge, volt, new ignition in it, I am ending up having to pretty much run new all the way to the gauge and sensor.

Quick question on the alternator. Theres two wires. One has to go back to the battery but the other????
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

I have the impeller ordered and should be here any day. The outdrive will need a new seal around the transom, which is fine by me (something about trusting a 27 year old piece of rubber to hold water out doesn't fly well with me) Not only because it needs one but for safe measure as well. They don't look difficult to replace anyone done these before? Looks like take out all 22 screws, pull it forward, undo probably the biggest hose clamp I've ever seen, pull it off, push on new boot, tighten largest hose clamp I've ever seen, put seleant around transom replace screws... sounds easy enough..... lol I know what that means. Should one put sealant under the hose clamp?

Going to putz around with the boat again the next few days. Trailer needs tires, I have one that will work that might hold air.. will have to find another.

Would like to get the wiring done and complete.

Quick question... On the throttle theres an up down switch. On the dash theres an up down switch. Which one should be the tilt? which should be the trim?
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

I worked a little bit on it today. Not as much as I wanted. Had to run an errand (to get vinyl to recover seats)

Finished all the wiring today. All I need to do is wrap them all with tape and put in place. good news is eveything works!!!

Managed to get one broken bolt out... and my inch of bolt showing on the other two have been reduced to about 1/2 inch. Tried heat, liquid wrench, vise grips all with no luck. Only managed to break the two off a bit more. Did use a pipe wrench on the one and somehow it came out.

Thaught maybe the electric motor for the trim was out so I tore it apart and found very worn clutch plates. I took all the clutch plates and spacers out, put them in a vise, drilled two holes through them, found 2 bolts that needed put in with a hammer. I then cut off the excess with the bolt cutters and ground the rest flush. Put it all back together and it raises and lower !ok! now. The upward motion seems to slow the motor down. Still think it will need a new motor but won't know until the LU is put back together. I'd be happy if the motor lasts 2 times on the lake. The tilt works just fine.

As stated before I got the new vinyl for the seats. I've been contemplating the old and trying to figure out how I'm going to sew the new. The two captains chairs are going to be a pain but as soon as those are done its downhill from there as the rest are just square. Not sure if the colors chosen will look OK now. Thought they would look good in the store, But now not for sure. Oh well it's bought.
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Yeah started a new thread in outboard repair since there isn't one for inboards
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

So I got almost all of the upolstery recovered. All was fairly easy with the exception of the the two captians chairs. They were the first things I got out of the way. It has been way too hot here (heat index in the 112's) to be outside pulling the motor. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to pull it out.

Somethings telling me my wife won't let me bring it inside to rebuild....lol
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Wimperdink · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 2328

raise the roof and drop it in? Smile

Its been close to that heat index here as well... I'm doing nothing outside right now..
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Pulled the intake, heads, and got the motor away from the outdrive. It's definetly the motor as I can turn the prop and it spins all the way threw. the cylinder walls I can see look great so I'm geussing a spun bearing. Need to get the neighbors tractor over so I can pull the block out of the back of the boat. I did find a ring-bearing kit for about $150 shipped so as long as everything else looks good it will be a reasonable fix. I just don't like the idea of the break-in. Anyone have a clue what it is? I've heard 20 hours... and I've heard 10 and 15....
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Motor is out (see other thread) I did manage to complete all of the interior. I need to rebuild 2 bases for the captians chairs. I'm going to pressure wash it all down now that that motor is out and put it back in.... Should be in the water soon.... I am looking for a decent newer style OMC transom seal. More effiecient to get used at this point due to the motor issues.... If I can get out on the water the rest of the season I'd be happy. Let me know if anyone has a clue where a used one can be found.... It is for an OMC 800 sterndrive... has 22 mounting holes
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Calico · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject:

Do the stringers look pretty solid where the motor mounts? Usually this area gets pretty mushy, be careful reinstalling the motor to seal it up well.
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

I left the motor mounts in the boat when I pull the motor, prolly going to remove them prior to installing... I grabbed ahold of each mount and shook them as hard as I could. There wasn't much play so I think I'm good there.
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Now that the motor is running again I can put in the bench seat, finish the bases for the captians seats. I am also waiting for the transom boot to come in so I can get that on. I have one hose to fix for the tilt (broke when pulling motor out) and I need to drop the LU again to adjust the shift rod. Might just be in the water by the weekend.....

I'm hoping been wanting to go boating all summer.
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Well all but the drivers seat is in. Need to finish up some wiring before I put it back in. Still waiting on the boot for the transom so it doesn't look like it will be in the water tommorrow. Did get my trim line fixed.... Well I fixed the line well see how long it lasts...lol

Will get the wiring done on it tommorrow and put the other seat in... then it's just waiting for the boot to come in so it can get wet. Theres a chance I will get it monday and if that happens we might take it out Monday evening. Have to see
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Calico · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 3:23 pm Post subject:

In the mean time you can always go through the trailer bearings, safety equipment, etc. It will be nice to be back on the water I bet.
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Yeah with the seats in I can put the life jackets, fire extingiusher, ropes and etc in... Have a few other things to button up. Won't take long but with the weather being in the 100's it takes awhile.... the next week it's suppose to be in the mid 80's so thats a relief
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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

So I buttoned up everything I needed to do.

I finished and "hid" the wiring. Installed the rest of the seats. Swept up my mess. Did odd and ends things needed to get done. Everything is complete minus the transom boot/seal.

Here are a few pictures of the interior. The colors are sage (the closest color I can think of) and blue. I let the wife pick them out since she said I never involve her in my projects. Didn't know if I would like it but it's growing on me.

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Calico · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 10:15 pm Post subject:

The interior looks really nice Dave, forward the compliment to your wife. Are those swiveling sliding seats? That should make for a great family boat, I've got my fingers crossed that it runs right and you have no further issues and can enjoy the rest of the Summer Smile

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Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Thanks.. yes those are swiveling sliding seats which will make adjustments nice for the driver and passenger. What is really nice is that whoever is watching out back can just turn the seat around instead of the neck ache..

I have to say I am pretty impressed myself on how it's turning out. I too hope there are no more major issues
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Wimperdink · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 2328

very nice.... You've done a great job on the interior?
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