1977 Ski Nautique Info

David, Congrats on getting the boat and am wishing you many years of enjoyment.

I'm not a big fan of epoxy as a permanent fix. Since you have the new set of gaskets, I would take the manifolds off and inspect them closer or even presure test them. If you have a hole in one spot, you may be thin in others too.

Also don't jump in and replace the starter without testing/checking for other causes of slow crank. Are you having starting problems?

Jake wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: Also don't jump in and replace the starter without testing/checking for other causes of slow crank. Are you having starting problems? If you do need to have some starter work, check into having your starter rebuilt. I had mine rebuilt for under $40 bucks a few years back. New starters can be pretty spendy.

We certainly have plenty of talent here on our site with people doing their own engine rebuilding which has got me thinking about starters. A starter is pretty much turn the commutator, press in new bushings & ream, replace brushes and paint. Does anyone do their own starter rebuilds?

Thanks for the info, Pete. Just came back from a vacation and went to where my boat is being stored and found the battery was dead. Hooked it up to my car and it started up in a few minutes. Went back tonight and dead battery again. hooked it up again and it fired up, ran it for about 20 minutes. turned it off, then tried to start it but no go. Turns over slow when battery is charged. A friend mentioned a starter solenoid, what do you think? Also, the JB weld stuff didnt work too well.


David

77, First, are you starting it up dry? Don't, as it is really hard on the rubber raw water pump impeller. You really need to have it hooked up to the garden hose or in the water.
Bill's idea about the battery isn't bad but did you see if the amp meter was showing a charge? Even if the alternator was putting out, it may of not had enough run time to charge up the battery. Pull the battery out and get it on a charger. Do you have a volt-ohm meter? You could check the STATE of charge of the battery. No load volts should be close to 12. The CONDITION of the battery can only be done with a load test which is a meter most auto stores should have. If the battery is more than a couple years old, you may want to just get another. If you get another, buy a starting battery and not a deep cycle.

77, First, are you starting it up dry? Don't, as it is really hard on the rubber raw water pump impeller. You really need to have it hooked up to the garden hose or in the water.

Thanks again for the info. I do start it up in the driveway, but i attach the "fake a lake" to it with the water hose. I put the battery on the charger last night. After work i am going to check to see if it held a charge. It is a 2/10 amp battery charger. When i hooked it up, the meter registered at 12, so i tried to crank it again and it would try to turn, maybe once and then died. ??? I would like to get it out on the lake for the first time this Saturday but am a little wary of dying out and having problems. Do you think it is just the battery?

Having to paddle a heavy inboard sux! ...and can be very dangerous in high traffic areas for several reasons.   

Gotta Ski...good advice for Riley! I was going to mention the same!