Rebuilding a 1982 COBALT Boat - Part 8!! First Time on The Water in YEARS!

[@scottsmith2869]

Great job with the rebuild! I have a 1985 Cobalt CM9. Mid engine with MerCruiser out drive. I did everything that you did to yours. Plus’s re did all the upholstery and new carpet. Now I have a 1982 CS7 to redo the upholstery and carpet. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. And one more thing, check your thermostat housing, it may have old impeller pieces in it. I had this issue with 2 other boats I got to restore. The temp will creep up at higher rpm.

[@bensboats]

It's quite the conversion for sure. Thanks for sharing and the tips!

[@gca259]

Well done! Thanks for sharing the joy 🙂

[@chopsontop5994]

Just sold my 1982 CS7 and thus is making me miss it already! I’ve got a 19BR cobalt you need to fix up like this one

[@christianwalker7313]

Great video! Your my favorite KZbinr!

[@bensboats]

Thank you!

[@nicholashaynes1982]

Just watching in the uk...loving watching your joy. I've rebuilt a 92 Maxum from a bare hull and its really nice to see someone saving another lovely boat. Well done. I am having to address hot starts by fitting an opening top level to the dog house.

[@bensboats]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you may be fighting vapor lock.... is your Maxum carbureted or injected?

[@nicholashaynes1982]

@@bensboats So originally the engine was deemed un-savable by an engineer so the owner put it up for sale. I bought the picture of the pallet with the disassembled engine on, rebuilt it with the original fuel injection (MPI/vortec heads) but turns out the ECU was toasty so Quadrajet supplied, Cliff Ruggles contacted and spec'd, rebuilt by me. All new intake and hei distribution. Cool fuel module was removed and a simple electric pump used suitable for V8s. It seems to me that the heat that builds up after in the dog house after running is the culprit. What do you think?

[@bensboats]

@@nicholashaynes1982 That's an interesting issue.... Have you checked spark when the condition occurs? I've seen some of those HEI dizzys build up heat and the top-mounted coil lose function until it cools back down.

[@nicholashaynes1982]

@@bensboats I'll check that for sure and let you know. I'll still do the new version of the dog house as the quick check/monitoring access is really bad.

[@jacquespoirier9071]

I'd say : check the raw water pump impeller, a few paddles broken on the impeller is enough to have a near overheating problem excellent result after such an important job on that boat 20 years ago, I done a Doral boat of about that size, it have been a huge project as I had to redo all the structure and a general cosmetic job. You done an excellent job and it is so rewarding excellent video

[@bensboats]

Thanks! I'll likely install a new impeller this season and check the thermostat housing. Hopefully that's the issue. Cool story about the Doral its a labor of love for sure

[@yoster77]

I'm coming into this series late, but out of curiosity, are you the one that repowered it with the current outdrive? That drive didn't exist in 1982, so kind of cool/interesting to see that someone repowered it with a different drive. Something people talk about a lot but rarely do! If you don't mind me asking, what is the gearcase ratio? 1.60? Also, 54 is smokin' in a boat of that vintage. Well done! [edit] - Just saw your original video. WOW it started as a stringer drive. Well done sir!!! I will say it hurts my heart a bit to see another stringer drive leave the water, but, you kept the boat itself alive, so awesome job!

[@bensboats]

Glad you enjoyed the series! it was a fun build. Those old stringer drives are SO hard to find parts for, that's the main reason for the upgrade to Volvo SX-C. The OMC 800 had a 1.77:1 ratio, the new SX-C is 1.6:1, 21p prop. A very fast combination for a pre-vortec 350!

[@Roper-wn1xu]

hi ben i love boats and seadoo

[@Roper-wn1xu]

and just a head updont get any copied right music my playing music

[@MARKLOCKWOOD2012]

on these old girls cold. after a tune up. Don’t rev it disengage the throttle idle up 1,500 let it just sit before cutting back to idle. They like heat. Make sure your bilge blower fan works. And as as bilge water pump. One tune up trick. You can wash the air filter that sits on top of the carb with gas. Swish around or use a strong carb cleaner. Usually to with project boats carb jets are clogged. Why they don’t run. Two pump forward out of gear least the one we had 20-30 times after a winters nap. Make sure you do a service before trying to run em. fuel filters etc. Most owners are lazy or abusive about not draining the block. Fogging ehh depends on your area heated garage not needed. Hoses cracks water pump. Hydraulic push arms are tight. Two those should have a rubber gasket between the ends of the rod. Do not attempt to raise or lower outdrive before checking fluid levels. As i’ve seen in your videos you didn’t check. Or cranking the engine with dip stick check. Lower unit needs to changed every spring one it checks for bad seals. Filter changes gas/water filter and an oil change it keeps fresh oil circulating. Do winter water drain and leave pet cocks open and remove water hose trim lower unit down so any remaining water gets drained. Remove and charge the battery Any lube points zerks trailer bearings Re attach block water hose wipe. up excess water. Re fill fuel tanks prevents water. Tires are up wax the boat,paint out drive teak oil the wood. Wipe the interior so future selling get more for her.

[@deksea]

Ben, It looks like youd be able to get even more speed out of her if you backed off on those trim tabs

[@bensboats]

I hadn't thought of that....Good idea, I'll give it a shot!

[@johnelser9256]

I would put a 180 thermostat 160 is cold most small block v8 engines like 180 to 195 Fahrenheit

[@bensboats]

Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out