Question:
A guy at the launching ramp told me that I can ruin my water pump impeller if I start my boat out of the water… is that true?

Answer:
That is 100% true for inboards that have rubber impeller pumps. Just running your engine for a few seconds can turn your rubber impeller into a ball of half-molten rubber. This is also true for outboard and I/O's.

Question:
I bought an old Chris-Craft that has not run or been put in the water since the early 80's. What should I do to the engine before I try to start it?

Answer:
This is an area that should be left to the professionals, but if you feel you have the expertise, then there are some procedures that should be followed:

a. Using compressed air -- blow out all dust and loose rust off of the engine.

b. Squirt a little penetrating oil round the spark plugs & let it rest a day. Remove all the spark plugs.

c. Put 3 or 4 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder and let it sit for a couple of days. Check the crankcase oil for proper level. Disconnect the fuel line from the fuel pump & make sure you close the valve on the tank.

d. With the spark plugs out, turn the engine over with the starter. If it is a 6- cylinder flat head engine, put a towel over the head otherwise the oil is going to be on the ceiling. If it is a V-8, drape a towel over the side to catch the oil before it's on the wall or you.

e. Turn it over until all of the oil is out of the cylinder bores. Now do a compression test. You want to see approximately 125 PSI compression with all cylinders between 10% of each other.

f. Install new spark plugs, points, condenser, rotor & cap in the distributor.

g. Hook up a temporary secondary fuel source from a small gas can that will not fall over, use a rubber fuel line from the gas can to the fuel pump. If it is a 6- cylinder engine, the fuel pump has a manual handle to actuate the pump. Do this until the fuel bowl on the pump is full & gas is not being pumped through.

h. Run a 3/4" hose from the water pump inlet side into a full five-gallon bucket of water in the boat.

i. Pull the choke all the way out, then using a new, fully charged battery, start the engine. As soon as it starts, push the choke in.

j. After it starts, immediately check the oil pressure gauge. Next, check to make sure it's picking up water. You may have to stick your garden hose onto your water hose while in the bucket to pick up the prime.

k. It will smoke for a short period of time. Check crankcase to make sure you are not getting water in the oil. If the crankcase oil turns real "milky," it is getting water in it. If all is well with the oil and the engine is running good ~ we can then carry on.

l. Check water flow out the exhaust. It should be putting out a decent amount of water. Check for water leaks, fuel leaks or oil leaks.

m. Redo your compression check.

Items to replace on old engines that have sat a long period of time:

1. Water pump impellers

2. Fuel pump

3. Overhaul carburetor

4. Replace plug wires

5. Overhaul generator

6. Replace all hoses & use stainless steel hose clamps, & replace generator belt.

7. Now, remove fuel tank & have it cleaned thoroughly.

Question:
What is the proper gap for my spark plugs in my Chris Craft V-8 1959?

Answer:
This is an easy one - .028 on all 6 & V-8 Chris Crafts.

Question:
I plan to keep my Century Resorter in the water ~ Does anyone make a good anti-fouling copper bronze bottom paint?

Answer:
Yes. Pettit #1933 Anti-fouling copper bronze bottom paint. It is very ablative and is self-cleaning on the bottom & on the sides. It cleans up with a soft scrub brush.

Question:
Some people tell me to change my oil in the spring of the year ~ others say the fall of the year. What is your answer?

Answer:
I say the fall of the year and this is why ~ Besides lubricating, your engine oil cleans the engine including the cylinder walls. One of the byproducts of combustion is it is very acidic. With that in mind, I'd rather change the oil in the fall to eliminate having that acidic oil lying on all of those bearing surfaces for 5 or 6 months when the boat is put up for the winter.