Inherited my dad's 2100sr, need help

[Buckeyemaxum]

Hey everybody, my father recently passed and I inherited his 1992 2100sr. I want to get it up and running again. I know it has been winterized for about 3 years now and he kept saying the bellows need repaired. I am pretty mechanically sound as far as autos, and I was wondering how hard it is to do a complete tune up on the engine and replace the bellows myself. Should I try to do it, or take it somewhere to have it done? What's would the cost be if I chose the latter? Thanks everyone!

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard and sorry to hear about the loss of your father.

What engine and drive is on the boat, 5.7 Alpha?

I recommend that you watch a u-tube or two on the job to determine if you think you can handle the job.

Not that hard IMO but a few special tools required. While doing the bellows I would also replace the gimbal bearing, water hose, trim and limit switch, and lower shift cable.

Since the boat has been sitting the impeller should be replaced, this includes changing the gear lube.

Tune up is like a car and change the oil. Oil has to be sucked up the dip stick tube after warming engine.

Hard to quote price as labor varies and I have no idea where you are but if you figure out material cost labor will be about equal so double for total cost.

[mmwjr]

Once running use a IR temp sensor to check temps on exhaust manifolds and elbows as these are water cooled and clog over time.

Is this a fresh or salt water boat?

[Buckeyemaxum]

It has the 4.3l. I am located in ohio and this has been a freshwater only boat

[mmwjr]

Ok so exhaust will probably be ok but I still like to take temps to know for sure.

So 4.3l with an Alpha Gen 2, correct? If yes the impeller is located in the drive.

I would recommend you get an aftermarket mercruiser manual or try to down load an actual merc one to learn.

[Buckeyemaxum]

Ya, I was planning on doin that...I just hope sitting winterized for 3 yrs hasn't damaged it...he always took good care of it. How hard is it to change the bellows? From what I've read it's a PITA

[capn_billl]

My recommendation. Take a few days off of work, and schedule the repairs with an experienced mechanic.

Watch him do the repairs.

If you are mechanically inclined NOW you've seen an experienced mechanic do it right.
Ask lots of questions.
Next time try it yourself.
This is the method I use. SO far it works pretty good. It is much easier to maintain a working boat, than bring one back from the dead.

[mmwjr]

What capt suggest is good as long as the mechanic does not mind.

It's a day job if you have experience turn bolts on cars.

I have performed this task on all boats I have owned. Hardest one is my current boat with a bravo II as the drive weighs about 300 lbs.