New Maxum Owner! - Maxum Boat Owners Club

WBubble · 06-24-2013, 02:38 AM

Hello All!

2 months ago I had the opportunity to purchase a 1997 1900 SR with 4.3 at a great price. The only CATCH was that the PO believed the boat to have suffered a blown head gasket while underway 2 years ago... It hadn't run since.

So taking a risk, I purchased the boat and brought her home, excited about the prospect of cracking the engine open, replacing the head gasket and putting her in the water for years of family fun. After removing the heads and intake manifold, I saw the crack in the block. And rust. Everywhere.

I will not be deterred. Purchased a running 4.3 from a 1998 Chev S-10 Blazer with Vortec heads. Found a pair of rebuilt Vortec heads. Removed the old motor from the boat and set about rebuilding the donor motor. The only parts I reused from the old merc motor were the camshaft, for which I built an electrolytic rust remover and hand polished the lobes (saved me some serious bucks) and the intake/carb.

New motor went back in 2 weeks ago, I tidied up and replaced some wiring to get the starter cranking strong. She runs like a top! Now just waiting for a nice Seattle day to slide her into the water!!!

I'm thrilled to be part of the community and hope to give as much as I receive.

Cheers!

CountryME · 06-24-2013, 04:10 AM

Welcome to the club Wbubble. Sounds like quite the project. Hope you get years of enjoyment out of your project.

-JP

mmwjr · 06-24-2013, 12:33 PM

WBubble,
when a head gasket goes water will end up in the cylinders and freeze the engine up after sitting 2 years. The crack may have been caused by this water sitting in the cylinders and freezing over the past 2 years or the crack may have been the real failure.

In using a street engine are you raw water cooling it? If so did you replace the freeze plugs with brass ones and did you use marine head gaskets? Both are required to operate in saltwater and achieve normal engine life

Good lick and enjoy!

vffb507 · 06-24-2013, 07:14 PM

Welcome to the club!! I'm sure you will get a lot of fun and enjoyment out of your boat!

WBubble · 06-25-2013, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmwjr

WBubble,

In using a street engine are you raw water cooling it? If so did you replace the freeze plugs with brass ones and did you use marine head gaskets? Both are required to operate in saltwater and achieve normal engine life

Good lick and enjoy!

I did indeed replace the freeze plugs although the reality is that I will never, ever have this boat in salt water, a subsequent owner may. Everything recommended for marine application was used. A master mechanic told me that the crank was identical so I reused the crank from the donor motor. Nearly everything in the original motor was garbage from the salt water exposure.

ZoNiE · 07-09-2021, 09:23 PM

The engine water pump impeller is also stainless steel on a marine engine.

mmwjr · 07-09-2021, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoNiE

The engine water pump impeller is also stainless steel on a marine engine.

Rather old thread to be responding to. I’m assuming you’re referring to the circulating pump impeller being SS. If closed cooling is used it won’t matter.

ZoNiE · 07-11-2021, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Rather old thread to be responding to. I’m assuming you’re referring to the circulating pump impeller being SS. If closed cooling is used it won’t matter.

Sorry new to the Maxum world. Read all the threads. Didn't realize closed cooling system.

NBO · 07-12-2021, 12:12 PM

Hello, I recently got a 97 2100sr, but it is missing the fiberglass motor cover . Any thoughts on where I can get one?

Thanks

NBO · 07-19-2021, 06:00 PM

Sorry, I was wrong, it is a 91 2100sr, and it is the molded plastic engine hatch. Any thought on where i can find one?

donald · 07-19-2021, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBO

Sorry, I was wrong, it is a 91 2100sr, and it is the molded plastic engine hatch. Any thought on where i can find one?

Best to start a new post.
Don

mmwjr · 07-19-2021, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donald

Best to start a new post.
Don

As Don said a new thread with your spefic question in the title may get you better results. I’ll be surprised if you can fined one. Have you consider making one?

NBO · 07-20-2021, 05:06 PM

I am making one now, but it would be nice to find one that is designed for it. Maybe someday....

LeeBry88 · 08-06-2021, 03:39 AM

This is funny. I just did the exact same project and the exact same boat! Mine had a completely blown out cylinder and two cracks In the valley. The S10 was the same block number.

My heads were salvageable. I had a head shop redo them. I even had them shave a couple thou off.

I’m not in the process of fixing the broken through ski cubby and I’m doing the seats in the garage.

I hope yours turned out!