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Just when I think I've figured out my wife, she goes and throws me a curve.
I saw a '66 Howard in the boat trader a few weeks ago and called on it. The owner had filled the crank case with water by, he thought, pushing water past the head gaskets with the garden hose before firing up the motor. I went to look at it, and this thing is super clean. The seats are starting to get a little iffy and will not last much longer, but the rest of the boat is cool. The engine is supposed to be a 428, but a checking of the #s by 058 show it to be a 390. At least the block is a 390, He said it may well be built up to a 428 by using different crank and bore combo. It didn't matter to me to much because I figured the engine was hurt any way. Velvet drive trans, Casale top loader,that was just recently gone through, gel coat was pretty clean although the clear is burning off on the deck.
My wife was in New York when I called her and told her about it, she said "you should to buy it, sounds like something you're always talking about." Again she wanted to know if it would run, I told her no, but the motor out of dock beater #1 will fit right in and get us through the summer. She said go for it, and I did.
Brought the boat home and drained the milky oil and added fresh oil and a filter. Pulled the plugs and looked as well as I could into the cylinders and could find no trace of water or rust. Plugs even looked good. Squirted a little Marvel Mystery oil in each plug hole just for good measure.
He had said the motor was locked up as well and I found that there was only a loose battery cable to the starter and when I tightened that down, the motor spun right over. There was a bad seal in the neovane water pump and I figure this is where the water came from and filled up the oil pan. Again, easy fix. He also said the fuel pump might need to be replaced because it will no longer pump any gas. It had a clogged fuel filter and after a good cleaning, the pump now pisses a stream about 6 or 7 feet long.
Turned the engine over and it started right up. Let her run for 30 minutes on the hose and re-checked the oil level to see if any water was getting in anywhere. Looks good so far. Fired her up again and ran her another 30 or so and checked everything once more. No more water in the oil. Has a real nice, semi-lumpy idle, so she might have a little cam in her.
To top things off, my wife got home and liked it too. I'm going to NY with her this week and wont get to put it in the water until I get back, but am going to try to post 3 pics here of the thing. I figure I have a 50/50 chance of remembering how to post them correctly. If I **** it up, could one of you brighter guys help me out?
[http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Read...s/tn_66_3.JPG]
[http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Read...s/tn_66_8.JPG]
[http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Read...s/tn_66_9.JPG]
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here ya go
[img]http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/V-Drives/66_9.JPG[/img]
[img]http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/V-Drives/66_8.JPG[/img]
[img]http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/V-Drives/66_3.JPG[/img]
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Old Rigger, Right on.... Good to see ya got a good deal...and you still got the ole dock beater.That's a very clean ride, and it runs... We'll be lookin for ya out there. Bring it to Camp Far West In August (15th-18th)Should be a good time as usual. We're planning to have both our boats there...If you need any parts I have quit a bit of stuff thats in really good shape, Let me know before you buy new stuff..And we're not to far away...
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Sweet! I bet the first thing he does is ditches the air cleaner and slaps one of those scoops that RestoFreak makes on it. :D
Looks like you got a good find and the ol girl got a good home.
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intense,
thanks for posting the pics. I thought I had it figured out but must have put these, [ ], in the wrong place.
Sangster,
thanks for the offer of parts. May need some for the wood decker.
Superdave,
you're right about the scoop.
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Nice Boat! Have fun and two thumbs up to the classic air scoop deal!
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Two thumbs up also to that big nostalgic steering wheel. Sweet Ride OR. :cool:
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Old Rig,
I guess this means we are going to see 'er at Tower Park next month??? I'll be there boat or no boat.
S&S
