I must be INSANE

I spent Saturday pulling the engine on the 81 BFN. I broke the engine down looking for the cause for water in the oil. I found nothing conclusive. I will put it away for now and will focus on the stringers and deck first. I could hardly control my gag reflex.
Here I go again.

That BFN looks awesome sitting on the trailer. That boat looks like it deserves a "hasbeenskier" restoration! Keep the photos coming BJ !

pc

quinner wrote: BJ, Is that the boat that was advertised sitting on a high lift and with a small block in it?

Yes

Did you get a compression test on that engine before you started tearing into her? I have had cracked cylinder walls that were pretty close to impossible to see with the naked eye.

Bj, That boat will look awesome when done. For some reason there seem to be a lot of 79 barefoots around but very few 80-81 models. Somewhat desirable to 81 freaks like you and I.

Maybe a 514 ford, it would be aluminum so cooling shoulding be an issue.

JoeinNY and 87BFN
Don't put any ideas into my head. I am not a gear head by any means so the most I have considered at this point is to buy and install an new PCM Excalibur 330hp.
I am really looking to use the BFN as my cruiser, so high performance would be desirable but not absolutely necessary. I am always open to suggestions from others with knowledge, peppered with wisdom.
bj

Rob,
Right, that is what hooked me. She is a sweet looking rig. When I got it home I found it was not in the structural condition it was represented as... but, I do not blame the seller. I do not think he knew what conditions existed below the surface. The boat belonged to his deceased father. My failure was driving from Florida to New Jersey for a boat. I knew before I went I would not come back empty handed. You would think at my age I would know better.
bj

On the repowering side, since you already have the entire 351 platform in place, I vote for a mild 427 351 stroker. A 350-400 HP (you tell them what you want) engine that will have all the torque that you may occassionally want a BFN to demonstrate and not be the least bit tempermental. Externally it will be identical to your existing engine, but prettier of course, and re-use all of the most critical marinization parts and pieces, and run several grand cheaper than the Excal. If you're interested, I've got a great guy and a number for you, since Joe is too far away.

87BFN
Thanks for the tip. Generally speaking, here in central Florida it is toooooo hot to stay in any type of good cover for any protracted period of time. It is a matter of what is worst, heat stroke or skin irritation. It is what I hate the most about working on boats.

One more thing this BFN has a standard 351 type fiberglass engine cover found on the Ski Nautiques
bj

BJ,

To some extent any of us who own these old boats must be "insane," but it is the odd among us that keep life interesting, and something worth living.

BTW are you planning on replacing the stringers with wood or are you going to go with composites?

Chuck

Chuck,
Greetings, I am 110% comitted to composites.

Eric,
Knees strong....Back baaaaaad
bj