Just bought a 88 Sundancer...let the repairs begin

Before you start looking for an engine, pull the plugs and try turning the engine by hand with a breaker bar and socket on the crankshaft pulley nut. If it won't turn, you might even try squirting some WD40 in the plug holes and letting it sit for a day or so and then trying again. If it turns, put in a couple of new batteries and try and start it. The fuel in the tank will most likely be bad so you may want to rig a small portable tank with fresh fuel.

Good luck.
 
2013GrandSport -
Please don't take offense to this, it really is not meant that way. I don't know what your background is, but here I see someone who just bought an old boat with some issues that is asking a lot of (good) questions. You have 3 different threads going about this boat, one about the engine that is seized, one about the wetness/rot and another about buying a new engine. My advice would be keep all this to one thread. You have gotten some good advice so far, before you go off and create a huge project for yourself, you need to find out what really is wrong - and it might not be so bad. As I see it you have an old boat with two main problems. 1. The engine is seized and 2. You have some wet areas - I'm not saying rot because the cores you drilled look wet, not rotten. So before you go buying a new engine and tearing into your transom and stringers, at least see if you can free up that motor, it is likely you can and it may run fine for years (it might not) but it is certainly worth the time to try. It would not be the first seized motor to come back to life. Next, find out exactly how "wet" your boat is, it's 30yrs old, all 30yr old boats have some wetness somewhere, their owners just don't always know it yet. There are a number of ways to deal with the wetness depending on how wet it is and if there is any true rot. It ranges from doing nothing to a major rework of the stringers and transom coring. I think more unnecessary work is done (not always, sometimes there are legitimate issues) in the name of a wet this or a wet that or blisters that if just left alone would have had no affect on the usability of the boat.

I'm just trying to get you to evaluate the whole thing, because once you start tearing into the stringers and transom and buying used motors you and your wallet are in for the long haul. These types of projects are not for everyone and they are never easy or economical.
 
Hey Bill... Believe me, If I did not have to I would not tear into the transom. It is quite soft, more so on the right side of the lower unit. So soft that I can literally flex the fiberglass by pushing on it with the palm of my hand. quite soft. My core samples from the stringers did not show any wetness or rot. For $1500 bucks to get rid of all the wood in the transom and pour RJ, it really is not that bad of a deal.

I agree I would love to free my motor up, as it only has 695 hours roughly. I am just preparing for the worst case scenario so that I do not tie up the project by not having done all my research. The motor is being removed for the transom repair, and at that time while the transom is being repaired I will go through and try to soak the cylinders with oil, and do an inspection to see if it is worth attempting to salvage. Remember, even if I manage to get it free, how much rust is still in the engine from being in salt water? I can get a reman engine for $2250 shipped to my door. This includes heads and block. I would need to add any new accessories that I want, and my rocker covers as well as oil pan.

For that sort of money, it really is not that bad, and I am willing to do it if need be. I sort of like the idea of having everything all new and that way I know what I have. I do however absolutely agree, and will try to free her up.
 
Think about all the systems this boat has. engine with all the acc., drive, steering, hull, interior. wiring, gauges, controls....list goes on. This could turn into a financial nightmare once you start sinking money into it, especially if your not going to do the work yourself. After you dump a bunch of dough into it, the boat will still be a 30 year old boat , not worth much more than you paid for it. Now would be the time to bail.
 
And to be clear, I am not trying to talk you out of going forward with it, just based on the questions you were asking was trying to help you understand the possible options and ultimately what you are probably getting yourself into. For a lot of people it is not about the $$ or time or what the boat is worth, they just get enjoyment out of working on and fixing up old boats -- and that is fine. Others just want to turn the key and go boating -- fine too. There are a number of people here who have done unbelievable restorations on older boats, but I bet for most of them it is a labor of love and they realize for the most part they will never get their investment back - they still have an old boat and they realize that.

Anyhow, sounds like you are doing the research and know what you are getting into -- now get us some pictures!
 
Believe me, this is a walk through the park... I just finished restoring my 60 year old twin engine airplane. This is a cake walk compared to that. The boats dropped off for the transom repair and the cylinders are soaking in ATF.
 
2013grandsport said:
Believe me, this is a walk through the park... I just finished restoring my 60 year old twin engine airplane. This is a cake walk compared to that. The boats dropped off for the transom repair and the cylinders are soaking in ATF.
Click to expand...

Now the info comes out.... You gots plenty of money.
 
Assess the situation and figure if it's worth it or not. I'm 15k deep into a $6k boat. But guess what? We use it and enjoy it. Albeit in about to be a little deeper depending in my situation with the starting issue. If you want to spend the money to fix it and get her right, do it and enjoy it.


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2013grandsport said:
Its worth it. Any luck guys bringing gel coat back with buffing etc?
Click to expand...

I have good luck. Using harbor freight buffer and pads with 3m super duty and finesse it 2. Others like collonite... I just haven't tried it.



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2e18d361135808beaf1be45c75a50d9e.jpg




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2013grandsport said:
Its worth it. Any luck guys bringing gel coat back with buffing etc?
Click to expand...

I wet sanded and clear coated my faded red stripe. A year later, still lookes awesome!
 
Got a engine with accessories, - new carb, fuel pump and stainless marine manifolds!! Heard it run and paid $800 for it all... how much are these manifolds worth
 
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Yep! Thanks! The engine is out, and I am delivering the replacement engine to the marina friday for them to put the necessary items on it for my boat. Meanwhile I will bring the boat from the marina now to the shop doing the transom repair.

I am waiting to hear from the Marina what my outdrive is going to need... Hopefully I can bring it back to life, and not have to buy a new one.
 
new engine and accessories are dropped off. Transom repair begins friday, and then we will re install the new powertrain. So far the gimble housing and out drive look to be good.
 
Sweet deal! You're making some real progress in just a short time. Keep us posted, I can't wait to see it in the water!
 
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