To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

So 2 falls ago I got my hands on a 97 mpi 454 246 z. Boat is hammered wasn't winterized (confirmed blown freeze plugs ) possible block issues.
outdrive has chunk missing in lower unit on plate. ( bravo 3)
slighted chipped props
upholstery 90 % shot
cuddy in great shape
fiberglass i believe buffable
motor was an mpi which half is transferable
floor and stringers and mounts seem to be in good shape?


so considering a complete re upholstery and a long block replacement and swapping necessary components to assemble engine and bring boat back to life

which would leave me with new upholstery new engine for hypothetically 10k total and i could do all personal touches like rewire back half to look much cleaner and bilge paint everything for a super clean look. paint headers separate colors.

should i bother any advice any tips any body which connections or tips on where to get long blocks or anything i may run into as i take this on its hard when i see a 240 with corsa for sale in WI for 9500 obo


please pour it on me


Firestone / Hudsonsteve thanks for your help last summer has gotten me this far !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

Do you have pictures? If you got it for free and like tinkering, id say restore it!
But thats me, theres lots of forums, places you can pick up a motor and a lower unit for the bravo.


'98 mariah shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

I second Hunters comments. If you like to tinker, then you will have a boat with a new motor and apolstery plus you will know all about the boat and it's mechanical state. If you buy another boat there is no guarantee that it is 100%. Just my opinion, you have to decide how much time and work you are willing/able to invest. Good luck.

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

got an upholstery quote today for 1800 to make like new to factory style so quite pleased on that next step pulling motor and testing stringers and motor mount area if that is sat moving into rebuilding motor phase. have contacted local engine shops in area trying to figure out best route to tackle the engine weather it be pressure test then re use old block if sat after a honing and a dip and then a head job etc etc will keep updated as progress moves forward plan on taking pictures along the way and will attempt a good write up at end for future reference by all users. for the life of i have tried multiple times claims i have a bad file the one photo that is tied in gallery my old man put up for me.


yess i agree its all in how much work i want to put in i do like to tinker and i do like to know everything about my toys which is why i think i'm going to go forward and restore i just like the idea of doing the resto, i just wish it was a bittt bigger but ill fit a fridge in this one.

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

Here are some old pics of junior's boat when we brought it home. I don't take one of the rear seat area, it was coming apart and we ended up removing it so it didn't blow out during the ride home. How do you guys handle times when floor screws get stripped out - assuming the floor is still solid?

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

That boat doe not look that bad based on those photos. I see boats on the water that make this boat look new. That fiberglass will buff out. I have seen much worse. I spent around 12 hours on a solid red Crownline making it look new and it was in much worse condition.

As for the outdrive, I dont even see the chunk missing you are referring to. Either way- they are aluminum and are repairable. As long as you dont need to buy prop shafts, drive shafts, gears and bearings the repair shouldnt be that expensive. The props are most likely repairable as well. I have mine repaired and polished for around $200 if I recall correctly.

There are multiple shops that sale mercruiser short or long blocks on eBay for a reasonable price. I would have never considered buying one but have seen them used in person and didnt see anything wrong with them. Since seeing them used I would personally buy one of these $3-3,500 remans for my own boat if I needed a fresh block and all.HERE is one example

Last but not least the upholstery. $1,800 seems like a great price. Maybe see if another shop gives you a similar price and make sure they are using marine grade vinyl if you want it to last.

This boat looks like a fun project that might not take a whole lot to get it back on the water!

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

Typically put a slightly larger screw in with some silicone in the hole. These floors seem to flex here and there. I believe this is the reason the screws wear out their hole. I have also used Gorilla glue on certain screws that dont need to be removed (hopefully never because that gorilla glue is crazy).

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

If there are brown stains on the hull, try this: https://www.amazon.com/MaryKate-Off-.../dp/B0000AXNNA
Spray it on and wash it off.

For cleaning and waxing the hull, try this:
COSTACOAT Prep-Cleaner 1 Quart (32 fl.oz.) Removes Wax, Dirt & Loose Oxidation

and COSTACOAT 16oz. Wipe-On Shine Protective Clear Coat Finish Sealer Protectant NEW | eBay
No buffing or polishing, just wipe it on in several coats, but not where you may walk or step.

But I think that this is pretty much the same wax except cheaper: ZEP 128 oz. Wet-Look Floor Polish-ZUWLFF128 - The Home Depot

I used the first three products on my 1972 sailboat that had been in the water for 5 years with no maintenance and now it looks like new.

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

Update, Bravo is off, engine is out, some of the bad upholstery is visible in the back.
Next is to check carefully for any rot issues then decide how to proceed.

Re: To bring back to life or not!!! Advice pls
 

wellpppp i cut glass today after hollow sounds on the motor mounts and the more i cut the more rot i found... the motor mounts were rotten, the inside stringers were rotten the outside stringers rotten the transom rotten. the back half of the boat is done so sad to say the restoration is over before it really began.