TOPIC:

The motor (Merc 25 4-stroke) is about 140 lbs, about 15 lbs more than a ‘57 35 hp

Muddybrook, just curious as to why you're adding all that reinforcing, are you adding a heaver motor or more horsepower?

Very helpful! I have removed all garbage and old rusty steel screws and am banging out dents and preparing to weld up all the many screw holes. I was planning to run the inner wood low enough that the braces I’m scheming on can bolt against the wood and through the transom and outside wood. Those braces will be 1/8” aluminum channel sitting over the innermost floor supports and an upright piece of channel welded to the floor channel and bolted through the transom. Diagonal pieces of square tubing, sized to sit just inside the upright channel and welded in to reinforce the transom. Seems easier and stronger than the folded over thin aluminum shape with tons of rivets that I’ve seen in original boats. Will post photos when I get that far.

Seal finally arrived from Spokane, Washington. eBay $20+$20 shipping. Bought 2 more from Michigan $3 + $7 postage.

 

Dropped the lower unit to service the impeller.



Upskirt.




 

Water seal is junk. Ordered a new one.

Scott a little wax on those and that merc will be ripping you through the water in no time

Ran another leak test filling the boat up to the top of the stringers. All watertight except rear lower seam running along transom width. Filled with POR15. Also the drain hole dripped continuously but will wrap some plumbers tape on the plug and should be good.

Bought some vintage water skis in anticipation.

Yesterday fired up the merc. Would turn over but no spark. Today on advice removed magneto and filed/sanded the points since motor had been sitting for 5 yrs. Reassembled tested spark and she fired off first start.

Telltale is a bit of a trickle so will be replacing the impeller next.

The bulbs pump fuel very well, air not too well, if the bulb is near the tank it will pick up fuel faster and it will prime everything down stream. 
An air leak anywhere is a problem.

It's about the check valve in the primer bulb.

The sooner it gets fuel the sooner it functions properly. Mine hangs off the bottom of the fuel filter/ water separator with the arrow pointing towards the separator.

I have the clear bowl with a floating red ring that has a specific gravity between water and gasoline. It floats on top of any water in the bowl. The bowl has a valve at the bottom for draining off water. 

The filter/separator on two Cummins I have do not have clear bowls but do have the water drain valve and a dash light indicating water in the filter.