[sodusmariah]

hello all first post here, would just like to thank to people that put this forum together seems to be one of the more organized ones iv ever come across and very helpful.

so quick snap shot i bought a fairly beat up boat for the trailer for another mariah in pristine condition, however was never able to acquire the nicer boat. (97 talari zi 246)

i would like to possibly redo this boat (fairly beat up) however im highly suspicious the block is cracked, the last owner pulled it over 8 years ago and let it rot says they didn't bother winterizing it , where i live that's bad news

i would like to turn this over if i could and try to see if after all it is bad however its got a 454 big block and im having a hard time figuring out how im gonna pull plugs to swap them any mechanics out there with some secret?

thanks in advance

[Brian Belcher]

We talking spark plugs or freeze plugs ?

[sodusmariah]

spark plugs... yea i thought about that an hour or so after i wrote it sorry

[Brian Belcher]

They're not that bad to get to. A 6" extension on a 3/8" drive ratchet with the 5/8" spark plug socket. Use that socket or you'll drop them for sure. The plug wires will lead you to the plugs.
Please avoid any those gimmick plugs out there. The NGKs will give you your most bang for the buck. Too many test have proven gimmick plugs are just that..gimmicks.
Now, on putting them back in.
Get a 1' piece of 1/4 to 3/8" heater hose and stick the new plug in it. You can gingerly find the threads and screw it in with hose and the hose will slip before you can cross thread.
It's always a good idea to reset your timing after changing very wore out plugs. Especially on EFI engines.
Hope this helps and hollar back if you need more help.

[sodusmariah]

hey thanks alot tygon tube worked awesome!!! really appreciate it. had ngk in it, put new in sprayed wd-40 down the plug holes, plan to evacuate old gas put in some new, hook up a battery and try test firing...... any other suggestions?

[Brian Belcher]

Are you very handy with tools ? Handy enough to check timing ?
I didn't notice, did you change the oil ? If you have not, give me your address and I'll send you one of my oil analysis kits to Blackstone Labs. With a small sample, they can tell you if the block is cracked. I'll loan you my hand pump for drawing a sample.
They $25 for a VERY precise readout. Right down to how badly the motor is worn.
But it has to be the old oil.
You'll want to change the fuel/water separater filter and be sure to fill up the new filter with new gas before putting it on.

[sodusmariah]

Im a mechanic but not auto, I'm a plant (nuc) mechanic-- pump valves that sorta thing, so ya pretty handy with tools.
Never done timing checks so unfamiliar could find some videos to help me
I'm guessing your referring to a vampire pump to fill an oil sample bottle, I can borrow them from work, Ive heard of Blackstone labs they'll send the kit for free and charge for the analysis - i did not realize they were that good!
The oil is not milky however I don't believe its ever been run after the possible cracking the last owner pulled it and let it sit for years.
Yes I had planned on swapping the fuel filter once I had the tank drained
Im also thinking if I can get it running to wait on oil analyses until after
So any tricks to draining the oil, Im not used to this big block my last boat had a little 350 in it and I had all sorts of room to do everything, is there a secret to getting to the plug or do you just draw it from the top ?

thank you for being so diligently helpful

[Brian Belcher]

You'll need a pump made specifically for marine engines. It draws through the dip stick tube. It's not too bad.
I have to say, don't buy the bass pro pump. The tubing is brittle and the flare breaks off.
Yes, Blackstone is great. And you're absolutely right, they will send the sample kits for free. Just stick a $25 check in with the sample.

I was being nosy on your skills because I'm fairly certain your carb is going to need attention. Gas sitting in the bowl has surely congealed by now and you'll need to pop the top and clean it out. But be careful and don't monkey with any of the settings !! Spreadbores require a doctrines degree and finicky little thingys.
Once you get that magical 650rpm setting, then you can check your timing after you ground out the base timing lead.

[sodusmariah]

AHHH OKKKK. - Thanks for the heads up on the Bass pro pump
no carb this has efi - which im thinking makes this situation worse with a pump and injectors etc.

[sodusmariah]

well i popped the tank access cover and sucked out appx 30 gallons of gas tonight trying to figure out how to upload pics of my progress i think i have to upgrade membership and have to make a pay pal account to do so
but gas hadn't gelled up so hopefully wont be a problem in the injectors tomorrow i plan to pull the gas filter and air intake filter and put a battery on charge