Logo

First ever boat and motor 1972 Chrysler 17ft and 85hp 857hd .. IM LOST!! help me get it running!!!

akalt24

New member
Hello all. My name is William Trice. I have just bought my first ever boat and motor. its been 12years since i last been on the water and i have waited forever to get a boat. I am 26 and im a full time mid level auto mechanic at a used car lot so i know basics on how thangs run and work.
*
I came acroos a deal.. My girlfriends step dad sold us a boat for 75 bucks It seems to be in great shape top to bottom. It`s a 17footer with the number on the back cbc23301m76j
.. a deparment of natrual resources officer told me it was a 17foot chrysler/cherokee boat. Only thang on the boat is the label chrysler. I cant remember the year the officer told me just 1970`s. Anyways got the boat and traler for a deal i thank.. theres just 1 thang! I did not have a engine!!!!!!!!!!! so im like ok i will find one for 400-500bucks no big deal so i thought!!! wow these 1970`s motors are selling for a arm and leg. hell i could rebuild my 2000 model car engine for cheaper!! So as you can imagine I was down for a few days untill I ran acroos some creiglist ad* chrysler 85 for 200$ he says it has been in storage for sometime now but it was runing last. ok.ok i know i know never take anyones word. But he was nice and said we could even attempt to crank it so before that I just made sure it would turn over by hand and damn it!!!! I broke the timing belt when i turn flywheel so trying to crank was a no go my fault but i guess it would have broke anyways.* okok thats my story now for thouse who are still reading thank you so much for your time!!
*
Heres the deal I put 100$ down and will give the man the rest in a few days. He has supply me with a workshop book to give me a good idea of what i may have to deal with. Now i know cars but not boats and im not real familure with 2 storke type engines So thats why im posting here. I need you guys help!!! Please.* I know i need to order a new timing belt damn it was hard to find but got one for 31$. Now heres where you guys come in. What should I do before I attempt to crank. Clean the carbs and lines and what else should I do or pre check before attempting to crank? Is there any good part sources out there or even other websites and comunitys?
*
If you guys will have me i plan on sticking around here for quit some time now. This is my first ever boat and im very excited. with haveing a 85hp engine on my 17foot boar is that a good combanation? anyone know what a 17foot should have on it? is 85 over or under power for this boat?
*
I need a ignition mine did not come with one is there anyway to connect the wires and start it without a key ignition?* I know I will have a thousands questions for you guys to come but i will let you guys stair me into the right direction on prechecking the engine trying to crank and trouble shoot. One thang i noticed in workshop book is the fuel pump.. I dont see any pressure spec and or anythang showing or telling how to test the pressure can anyone help?* gosh thank you guys so much btw i live in middle georgia
 
well if the motor has been stored for a long time,you need to change water inpeller,which should be done atleast every two years anyway.and also carbs ma need to be rebuilt,especially if somone stored it with gas in them.Always run motor out fo gas at boatramp after each time you use it.also your two stroke has to have oil mixed in gas, you probly know that,just making sure you do being your first boat.My boat has 50;1 mix ratio,and yours might be the same.Hope this helps!!!
 
Ciscokid has given you a great start... and yes, mix your gas at 50:1
Start off with the basics, check compression first... no point throwing $$$ at an engine that doesnt have good compression...
If you have good comps, check your spark, then if all is good, strip and clean your carbs...
Change your lower unit oil, and also check your waterpump, and replace the impeller at least...
If you get this far, then you should be ready to put fuel to it and start it up...
You can temporarily start it by puting a jumper wire between the red and blue wires for ignition, and another between red and yellow for the starter... You ll find these on the terminal strip... When trying to start it like this, just push the choke plunger by hand to manually operate the choke...
 
Back
Top