TOPIC: Old is New again

I've been a Looong time member of the Glassic forum many years ago. Since then lots of water has gone under my dam. I got out of the glassic restoration a few years ago because difficult times losing the admiral to Alz. I'm re-entering hoping to advance the glassic disease. Just purchase a '71/72 Chrysler 16' (I believe) with a Chrysler 105 hp motor. I have worked on so many of the old motors, Johnsons, Evinrude, Merc but never a Chrysler so I hope there are some members here that can help me out in the coming months with the restoration of the hull and getting the motor running again. My old bones are sure to slow down progress. I gave all my old manuals and info to Nautilus many years ago so I'm pretty much starting from square one again.
Wish me luck
Sabre

Great to hear from you again. So sorry to hear about " The Admiral". We went through that with my dad. That is a long, sad road.

Thanks for the reply, How's my nephew's Merc working out for you, still running?
I keep in touch with Dr. Go quite a bit, he and his admiral have been support.
Looking forward to getting back to restore projects. I'll probably be posting mostly on the Chrysler strings. Actually bumped into Andrias Rhude three weeks ago at the Door County show, looking good and permanently living in the cities again.
Looking forward to seeing you guys at some shows again. I see Terry posted a flyer for the Lake Geneva show next month, thinking of going and maybe see my old Century Sabre since it was sold to a gal who cruises there.
Cal

Welcome back Cal. Sorry to hear about the Admiral.
You're in Green Bay area right?

Not much ever happens here now, just about extinct. You can see that from the months between posts.

I can't believe the Chrysler motors are very complex. Parts are probably a bit difficult to source.

I see your pictures on the engine forum. It looks complete and a good solid place to start. Any mice damage?

Thanks. Yup Green Bay, just a little north in Suamico.
That motor actually looks really simple, lots of room to move around, no jumble of wires, hoses that aren't easy to get to. I eBayed a manual for it. Funny the PO actually lives about 5 miles from me. His father was the original owner bought new so I can get lots of history.
Looking forward to digging in on the motor and get it running so I can then remove it from the rotten transom.
Great to hear from some of the old salts here on the site. I'll be participating more.
Marineengine.com has all the parts I would need if I can't source them on eBay.

Forgot to add...no mice and 130 compression in all four so things are looking up.

Are you thinking of removing the deck or cutting it for access then splice it back?

I've replace at least 8-9 transoms and only did one where I actually cut the outer shell/skin off. I was not happy with the results. The transom turned out great but cosmetically I could not get cut skin to blend back in without the seams showing. This one I'll chip out from the inside, it's not rotted in pieces like some but it is wet. I'll have to order some 5300/5200?? you know what I'm talking about.
I'll start taking pictures tomorrow (Saturday) and maybe start a string on a combination of the engine and interior combined. Today I gutted the inside, remove seats, panels, etc. The shifter was completely rusted tight, never in all my years have seen anything like that. Rawhide where I got it said the compression was 130 I didn't check it myself yet, the boat sat for over 24 years so I hope they didn't turn it over dry without spraying some lube in the cylinders. Underside of the dash is a complete rat nest of wires, homemade repairs and splices, I'm sure you've seen some of those. I'll start the string tomorrow maybe label it Chrysler rebuild.

I was referring to gaining access to the top area of the transom where it is sandwiched between the splash well & outer skin.
I didn't think about cutting the outer skin....
I have seen the rear deck cut open & removed maybe 6"....
I think removing the whole deck up & forward would be the best but did they glue it between the layers of fiberglass on the inside?
I'm thinking that hull is solidly built & won't turn into a Gumby Doll & flex into an unrecognizable new shape.

I have done two transoms from the top down chipping out the rotted stuff. The corners and edges were problematic though. I'm going to begin cutting from the inside with a multitool to see how much damage is really there. I've never seen a transom damaged like this one. Usually they are cracked on top by the motor well and flex with the motor. This one is quite different and looks more to me like over the years ice might have forced the transom away from the hull. There is no flex on the transom when I try to lift or shift the motor. There is/was no bilge pump in the boat and no signs of one ever being in there, holes, wires, switch, etc. Here's a pic and give me your opin. Either way it will be a relaxing job laying down and doing some "explority" surgery. Also A pic of the one I cut open from the outside. The wood literally fell out as I opened it up.

Hey Cal, I burned a piston in the 115 last year, so I picked up a '79 Mariner 90 for a good price and painted it black to make it look better on the boat. Looks like you have a nice project on your hands that should keep you busy for a while. That will be a nice rig when you get done.
Bill

Hey Bill, good to see you here. Visited Burned a piston? Only time I ever did that was with my old Ski-do sno-mobile, always kept running it lean so I could get more speed. Burned two pistons with holes the size of a dime. Met with Dr. Go a few weeks back at the Door County show. He said he hasn't been on the site for quite a while and since I've been back I see that things have really slowed down. Seems the younger generation is not interested in old boats and motors. there are a few but far and few between.
The boat is a "project" for sure. I gutted the interior while waiting for manuals and parts to arrive. Now ed-mc and Jimandros are helping me out with advice. All info is welcomed. Bumped into Andreas at the DC show also, he's permanently living in the cities again, moved out of Marinette, disolved his business.

Wow! No more Sentinal Structures? I thought that business would have a nitch for a long time to come. I suppose he ran into the same problem as any other business that relies on skilled labor, you can't find anyone that wants to work! And ya, that 115 ran great right up to the end. That is one thing about them, they run best when you let them run fast!
Bill

All 2 cycles run great when lean, right up to the end!

Totally agree Got so I could change pistons in about an hour just to burn another but it sure did run wild.