Vintage Mechanic Recommendations?

[imontgomery]

Hey Everyone -- bumped a thread in the Mechanic Recommendations room but thought it'd be okay to post here since it's specific to a vintage boat. Any recommendations for a Mercruiser mechanic in middle Tennessee (or in the region) you would trust to work on older engines and outdrives. I have a 1976 Ford 351W with a type R outdrive. Thx!

 

[DaveKamp]

They're not difficult to work on... but boat dealerships tend like to work on 'newer' (like... we just sold them this new boat) stuff. The 'old stuff' doesn't make them as much money...

If you were closer to me, I'd offer to bring my toolset over.

What kind of issue are you having?

 

[imontgomery]

Thanks Dave.

The biggest problem is the outdrive won't go down all the way. It seems to be catching somewhere. Last time I started the engine on muffs, there was a little water running down the outside of the bellows under the outdrive and there's a slight rumble coming from the stern when it's in gear at low speed -- which make me wonder if the gimbal bearing (and maybe exhaust bellows) needs attention. I don't know the last time any of that stuff was done.

 

[DaveKamp]

Thanks Dave.

The biggest problem is the outdrive won't go down all the way. It seems to be catching somewhere. Last time I started the engine on muffs, there was a little water running down the outside of the bellows under the outdrive and there's a slight rumble coming from the stern when it's in gear at low speed -- which make me wonder if the gimbal bearing (and maybe exhaust bellows) needs attention. I don't know the last time any of that stuff was done.

Probably simple things. I sent you a pm, included phone number. let's talk

 

[DaveKamp]

So in a double strange twist of fate, Ian's place was just a few miles off my route home from Atlanta, so I stopped by...

But in a stranger twist of fate, I happen to be intimately familiar with the very boat he has in his driveway... as it belonged to a close family friend, and resided in the dri-stak marina slot directly below and to the left of my 77 220CC from the time it was delivered from factory, until Harold and Vida sold it to him.

I was the person who lifted the engine out 10 years ago to do some chilling hose replacements.

BTW Ian- I replaced the flywheel coupler then, too.

 

[DaveKamp]

I also found him the most trustworthy and reliable vintage MerCruiser SeaRay mechanic his area has to offer. His name is Ian!!

 

[DaveKamp]

Harold (the previous owner) says that he had never experienced a situation where the drive didn't lower all the way. I suspect something simple, like the reverse lockout valve, or some electrical connection is afoot.

Harold also notes that when new, and empty, this boat (with 233hp Ford 351W) managed 35mph at 4200rpm in cool conditions. He experimented with different props, and what was on it when sold, was the same diameter and pitch as he's had on it since 1976.