New Boater Needs help

1tm315 · Post by **1tm315** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:46 pm

Hello... My name is Randy, I live in Florida and recently purchased a 1963 Seabreaze. I am new to boating and have never owned one before. I love old cars and have been restoring them for a while. Thinking along the same lines I have endeavored on a restoration project with this boat. I really love the styling and woodwork on these old boats. I tried to start, (the original) motor today and always hearing that you should never run a boat motor without pumping water through it I proceeded to attach a garden hose to the waterpump inlet hose. I let the water run full force through this hose and water was running out the exhaust at a pretty good rate. I then tried to crank the engine. Knowing a good bit about car engines, I knew something was wrong when the engine cranked very very slow with a brand new battery! Figuring I would check the compression in each cylinder, I removed the spark plugs and cranked the motor. As I suspected water blew out of the cylinders! Here's where my ignorance may or may not come in... I knew the water circulated through the water jackets and exhaust manifolds, but is it possible that I pumped too much water into the engine?? Or is it as I suspect and I have a crack or blown head gasket? The previous owner listed the boat as "running" and I did not test it before bringing it home. Can someone give me some information on the mechanics of these old motors? I don't know which engine this is, only that it says 188 HP on the valve cover along with the name fireball.

Please help!
Thanks,
Randy

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:52 pm

Its Monday now - and if you haven't torn down the engine and cleaned everything immediately - its too late.

1tm315 · Post by **1tm315** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:05 pm

Thanks! Do you think it is a head gasket or did the water backflow from the exhaust?

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:28 pm

I would guess exhaust - hard to tell - You might tear it down and pickle everything quickly and save it its fresh water. If its salt, you're probably out of luck ...

1tm315 · Post by **1tm315** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:45 pm

Thanks! It is fresh water... Is there a reason the water has to circulate through these exhaust manifolds?? Why can't you run water through a 3 core radiator with a couple of electric fans to cool the engine?
Or is this so the exhaust manifolds and pipes don't get too hot? It just seems like a strange design

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 7:40 pm

The axhaust must be cooled t... and you really can't air cool a radiator in a boat (this would make a nice furnace for winter cruises though!).

I would tear it down quickly and pickle evrything - but is it even worth saving? Thats up to you and your mechanic.

1tm315 · Post by **1tm315** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:51 pm

Thanks.... I am planning on replacing the engine, however I am not even sure what type of engine it is yet?? I need to find out which replacement engines will bolt to the velvet drive. If any GM engine will work then I am home free. I just haven't been able to find out what kind of engine I have in this thing. I would like to just be able to buy a GM crate motor and assemble all the marine components on the block.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:09 am

Mercury engine? Crusader? Ford? Checy? 4, 6 or 8 cyl?

What colr is it? L-4, L6, V-6 or V-8? Distribtor in front or back?

1tm315 · Post by **1tm315** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:07 pm

It is a V8 it is Red and it says Fireball 188HP on the valve cover. The flywheel is in the front as is the starter, alternator, and waterpump. The distributor is also in the front. I would insert a picture of an engine that looks exactly like the one in my boat with the exception of the distributor and flywheel location, however I cannot figure out how to upload one in this forum. I hope this helps someone identify the engine make for me. I want to find out which other engines will interchange with the bolt on parts so I can buy a crate motor and bolt on all the marine equipment.

Thanks![/img]

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:06 am

The Fireball 188 is an old (60's) Gray Marine engine, base on a small block GM 327 CI engine ...
# 188hp @ 4000 rpm
# 4" x 3-1/4"
# 327 cid
# 9.5:1 compression ratio

Heres a good discussion board on these engines ...

http://www.oldmarineengine.com/discus/m ... /6448.html

I don't know much abou them personally.

boatman2100 · Post by **boatman2100** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 pm

I had a pair of these in my 63 34' Sea Voyager. Great running motors. All parts are available. Except for the EXHAUST is VERY difficult to replace. The barr replacements are murder to install. They also can cost up to $700 per engine. The other problem with these engines is that the heads seem to rot out.
The engine is NOT a GM based 327. It is an AMC block designed and casted by AMC. Originally used on the Nash in the mid-fifties. It was also used in many AMC products through the late sixties to early seventies. Do not be fooled my the 327 Cubic inch. They are not interchangable.

If you decide you need and engine specs or stats, I would be happy to copy the engine manuals and send them to you. I am also in Florida.

Just for the record, I removed those motors and installed a pair of 300hp mercruisers. MUCH EASIER to maintain.
Good luck!

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:25 pm

I did see references to these as being Chevys as well as AMCs - so thank you for the clarification!

Hopefully - our new boater will be able to get them going.

1tm315 · Post by **1tm315** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:09 pm

Thanks for all the responses... I have decided to re-power because this engine seems to be very difficult to obtain parts at a resonable price. I was planning on going with a Chevy 350 but I don't know if my v-drive will mount up to it?? I think because the engine I currently have has the flywheel and starter in the front that I might have to buy a new v-drive also??

Any thoughts on a potential re-power for this boat?

Thanks!

boatman2100 · Post by **boatman2100** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:23 pm

The transmission should bolt up file. I am using the originals on my new mercruisers. You will need to purchase an engine with a top mount starter. Inboard (not and I/O) bell housing. If your engine has a borg warner tranny. All will bolt up just perfect. Your current engine most likley is a flywheel forward design and a right handed engine. The newer engines will have the flywheel aft and will be left hand rotation. Much easier for parts and to replace the starter too. Make sure you double check engine and rotation of your propeller and make the proper transmission pump adjustments. Good luck!

1tm315 · Post by **1tm315** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:15 pm

Thanks! You described my engine perfectly... The flywheel and starter are in the front. If I re-power with a chevy 350 I will need to find a bell housing and flywheel to fit the engine and transmission correct? If the engine I have now rotates in the oposite direction as a standard 350, then won't the transmission and shaft turn the propeller in the wrong direction??

Trojan Boat Forum

New Boater Needs help

New Boater Needs help

Its Monday

exhaust

yes

engine type?

Fireball 188

327 AMC

AMCs - not Chevys