1995 250 Sundancer Restoration Help

[davismwfl]

Hello,

So new member, and happy to be so. I acquired a 1995 250 Sundancer 5.7 with Bravo II. It appears to have been reasonably maintained overall, but the prior owner wasn't a boat person and let the vessel sit for 3 years. I got it for a good price and so am in process of making it right.

My issue revolves around the outdrive. I already have a replacement 5.7 ready to go, and so I am working on the outdrive to figure it out. Sadly this is my first time with an I/O so I am learning a lot about how they are different than a straight inboard. So feel free to blast away advice.

Anyway, first thing first. Trim/tilt works, steering seems locked. I already know I need a complete bellows/hose kit for the outdrive but given the condition I am wondering if I need to remove the entire housing and recondition it all or what I should do. The scary part is it appears the boat was ran with the steering nut exposed to the elements (Central Florida so that means salt water). Any suggestions or ideas what I should do? The Oil appears solid, no milky stuff, and the outdrive separated easily with a wood block.

Should I remove the entire transom assembly while the engine is out and redo it all, steering pin etc, or can I just do the outer drive and the engine and seal up the gimbal area and be good?

I need help here cause frankly I feel stupid when it comes to this outdrive. My gut says yank it all apart and clean/fix it all but I don't know if that is necessary or how long that might take.

Thanks for all the help,
Mark.

http://tenorent.com/95searay/boat-stern-drive-1.jpg

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Follow your gut. You'll be happier in the long run knowing what you have instead of waiting for it to fail.

Check out Friscoboater for some U tube videos of how to.

 

[davismwfl]

First, I just have to say I love your signature. I'd rather be slow and having fun than missing it all cause I am speed racer, personally. lol.

Thank you for the advice, you are seconding my inner voice but I also have that nagging budget voice that keeps saying the more I look for things the more I will find. My Gut instinct is to pull the entire assembly and clean it all up, replace the steering pin and seal it up again like it should've been. That way I don't have to worry about corrosion nor flooding.

In the end I think you are right and I might just be looking for an easy way out. Just don't want to overdue for no reason either.

Thanks for the input!