TOPIC: 1959 Mark 78EL

Picked this up this weekend. $50.00
It was on the back of a boat the I had been driving by for 5 years.
From the roads around it, you could not see if the boat had an motor on it or not. Curiosity got the best of me and I stopped and knocked on the door. I asked him if he would be interested in getting rid of the boat and he said he had bought it from his sister for $100 and that it ran. He was just letting it sit and rot down and if he could get his money back he would sell it. As we walked around the boat, this is what I saw for the first time. I told him I was not interested in the trailer or boat 'cause it was too far gone, but would he sell the motor for $50 bucks. Well, it is home in my shop now.
Compression is
1. 125
2. 128
3. 130
4. 125
5. 130
6. 118
After shots.
Home with the gang.
The morale of the story is, if you see one, go knock on the door!
I got the controls also.
Neil

Neil, that's a great deal. Ouch didn't mean it to sound corny! Nice looking motor.

Bob

Thanks Bob
I should have trimmed my mustache and tucked in my shirt though!
Neil

Nah, don't want to give anyone the wrong impression. Just kidding of course. Great pics, makes it some much more personal.

Bob

Neil, there's an old saying down here in the south that goes "that dog was born to hunt!". (It's a compliment.) I gotta hand it to ya buddy, you're getting pretty darn good at "sniffing out" those classics!

Your right Mark, Neil has this classic hunting thing down!

I'm beginning to think I'm living in the wrong area. Don't/can't find deals like that in this area. Everyone seems to think they're sitting on a gold mine or something.

Bob

As I am "beatin' the brush", looking for old Mercs I notice alot of Fiberform and Bayliner boats from the 70's. I/O's. There are VERY few finned boats.
Central Idaho has rivers, whitewater, and the lakes are spread out.
The biggest percentage of boating locally is recreational fishing. Salmon, steelhead, and Sturgeon. Pleasure boats are of the newer varitey. The sparse population is also against me. But--There are a few. I WILL FIND THEM!
My bride says that I drive with my hand on the door handle. She says the three most important things in my pickup are a pair of binoculars, my camera, and the checkbook. I've loved her for 25 years. VERY tolerant.
And Bob, I run across the folks that think their stuff is gold plated here also. I just try to find out what works for them and they are generally open--but not all of them. I can take the yes's and the no's, but the maybe's are the killers. So I just put them in the no column, and keep movin'.
Long Post, no pics. Sorry for blabbing!
Neil

Was that old Merc that good looking before your brought it home?

The first two pics of the old girl laying on the pallet truck are just how I pulled her off of the boat.I just cleaned it up on the outside. Under the hood she is pretty filthy yet, but I'll get to it soon.
Neil

Neil,
It's your thread, make 'em as long as you want. I'm hoping my wife will start to be a little more open to more toys to work on. I think I can get away with another motor or so but she keeps saying no more than one boat at a time. We'll see how long that lasts. I'd like a g3 for the 800 if it turns out to be good. Still really want to restore and old woody of some type.

Bob

Bob
I think I divide my time at around 70% gathering and 30% fixing.
Thank goodness for the big shop!
But I have the Sabrecraft to be out on the water in, so thats good.
She's a 17' 120 Mercruiser I/O. It does OK. The old girl is just proud as a peacock to have made January in the calendar.
Go get the g3 even if the 800 is toast.
Neil

I second that emotion!

Thanks guys. I might have a line on one with an old Rude 60hp that I can use with the Clipper.

Bob

Go Bob, do not pass go, do not collect $200.00, just go.
Neil