SUNKEN BOAT HELP!!!!

« **on:** May 05, 2009, 03:17:15 PM »

Man I have bad luck! The girlfriend sunk the boat this weekend on it's first real lake trip the wed before was it's maiden voyage and no problems besides to much oil in the pan. After all the work I've done for 3-1/2 months day and night everyday!

My question is is what are the chances of getting it running again? It went down in Saguaro Lake, AZ on sat. and they can't get it out till this comming sat. thats a week

We have located it and the diver said its about 50 feet deep where the oil and gas was still comming up on sun. The motor was running, but just at idle and it happened so fast that it just choked the motor out and went under! (I'm crossing my fingers that it didn't hydrolock it) but with my luck that's probably not possible. I've heard that it's ok to be under the water for a while but when it comes out is when it's crunch time on the motor. I don't even know where to start nor what it may look like when it comes up. it's a ford 460. And any help would be much appreciated!!!!

« **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2009, 03:21:34 PM »

Hopefully Ralph will speak up on this one. He Sunk his boat one day and won a race the very next day, so he obviously know what it takes.

Good Luck

« **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2009, 03:22:40 PM »

last year at parker Ralph sunk his boat on Sat. and won the race on Sun. 460 ford. whoes pulling it up?

« **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2009, 03:32:22 PM »

I was just out there Sunday, where did she sink it?

Ray

« **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2009, 03:37:24 PM »

Dang that sucks, I have no personal experience here(knock on wood) I'd drain the oil, drain the carb, pull the plugs, turn it over, fill it with atf, put new plugs in, and cross my fingers. If it fires and runs , drain the atf and fill her up with oil. Details?

« **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2009, 04:16:02 PM »

I have done several sunk engines, if you can't get to it right away, pickle it in diesel fuel, just fill it right to the top of the valve covers and through the carb, it won't hurt anything and is lighter than water so it keeps the air from getting to the exposed parts, which = no rust....I have let them sit like that for weeks and never had a problem (other than they stink like hell when you pull them apart)

Sucks to hear this kind of stuff, hopefully it shut down do to water on the ignition and not water in a cylinder or three. $:-\$

Good luck!

GT

« **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2009, 05:26:51 PM »

Quote from: GT Jets on May 05, 2009, 04:16:02 PM

I have done several sunk engines, if you can't get to it right away, pickle it in diesel fuel, just fill it right to the top of the valve covers and through the carb, it won't hurt anything and is lighter than water so it keeps the air from getting to the exposed parts, which = no rust....I have let them sit like that for weeks and never had a problem (other than they stink like hell when you pull them apart)

Sucks to hear this kind of stuff, hopefully it shut down do to water on the ignition and not water in a cylinder or three. $:-\$

Good luck!

GT

Right, that's the old school way I always learned too, if you can't do something with it immediately. Don't forget to pull the spark plugs and fill the cylinders too, after getting the water out. I just pulled apart an engine yesterday that had sunk, been drained but apparently they forgot about doing anything to the cylinders,, lots of rust.

« **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2009, 05:37:30 PM »

Just me, but I'm guessing guys he plans to have it on the water like immediately! (Needs to get out to open water to dump the g/f's body! lol).

I'm at a loss here, these guys have dealt with this, only nearly sank one, myself. Personally, I would listen to GT.

Ray

« **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2009, 05:45:38 PM »

What if i take it straight home, drain the oil and water out of the cylinders and air out the carb, put new oil or atf in it right away? What about the distributor and the starter are they gonna be shot? Also, they are not marine products! What about the thru the transom wet headers do they have to come off also?

« **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2009, 06:17:24 PM »

when you get it on the trailer do not remove water until you are ready to complete the job. get it home pull the plugs, exhaust, valve covers and carb. crank it over by hand to get the water out of the cylinders. use wd-40 immediatly in the cylinders because you have no oil in them. you can also remove the intake man to sop up all the oil and water. change oil and filter, then re-asemble the engine. remove the drive line so you can run it on the trailer. start it up run it for a couple of minutes and change oil and filter again and repeat until the white in the oil is almost gone. the last time get the engine hot to burn off the rest of the water/condensation.
of course you will have to dry out the electronics and carb, shop air would be best.
hope this helps ralph

« **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2009, 06:24:06 PM »

GOOD ADVISE RALPH

« **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2009, 06:41:26 PM »

Thanks Ralph that sounds good I'll have to do all that. What about the starter will I have to replace that first? And how will i know if it has a bent rod or valves, it just wont turn?

« **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2009, 06:45:15 PM »

Hey Cadillac - I feel for you bud. I'd like to chime in on a related matter if you don't mind. Life has just thrown you the obvious curveball which is the sunk boat. But is also threw you a rare opportunity to strengthen or weaken the relationship with the GF. I never recognized them at the actual time they occurred, but looking back I could always say "yeah that was the day our love for one another took a turn for the ------ (whatever)."

In the middle of all the energy you have to throw at recovering the boat, take a minute to decide what and how you want to do with the unexpected relationship energy this has created. If you have strong positive feelings for her, then let her know that you forgive her and will eventually move past it. This is a kind of gift you can give her that will pay off huge later on. Or, if you really don't care that much for her then you can harness this event to clarify what is or isn't working right. Either way, I'm just saying you should harness it as long as it happened.

Sorry for maybe putting myself into something I shouldn't. Good luck with the recovery!

« **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2009, 06:53:09 PM »

I'd flat out pull the motor, tear it down along with the carb, distributor and starter. Clean and check everything. Make sure you don't have a bent rod or 3.

I hate to think of the crap in the valve cover area and pan... not to mention the issues with electronics.

I would not want to pump that crap up through my bearings. It's in the oil pump too.

It's not a 2 cycle, if you try to cheap it and blow it up where will you be? This would cost you more now but may save you a lot later.

Just my 2 cents. Better safe than sorry, and I bet you'll sleep better too.

« **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2009, 07:08:29 PM »

Que

« **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2009, 07:38:17 PM »

you will know if it has a bent rod the first time you fire it and it will have cost you some time and an oil change. the starter may work and it may not

get it out and blow with shop air

i know your pain

« **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2009, 07:52:50 PM »

X 2 Ralph...Lube up an fire up....then change,change oil

« **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2009, 08:24:05 PM »

Yup, bent rods and valves will show their ugly face the minute you try and fire it up, I would think.

« **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2009, 09:28:18 PM »

I am by no means trying to jamb my opinion down anyones throat...But, Ralph's boat was in the water for mere minutes, this thing sounds like it will have been in the water for three or four days, there is a difference.....It sounds like it is sitting on the bottom too, water and sand will be everywhere.....

IMHO a tear down will save you some grief in the end. Maybe try to get it running first, then a teardown? I dunno $:-\$

GT

« **Reply #19 on:** May 05, 2009, 09:35:08 PM »

Quote from: Stevecat on May 05, 2009, 06:45:15 PM

Hey Cadillac - I feel for you bud. I'd like to chime in on a related matter if you don't mind. Life has just thrown you the obvious curveball which is the sunk boat. But is also threw you a rare opportunity to strengthen or weaken the relationship with the GF. I never recognized them at the actual time they occurred, but looking back I could always say "yeah that was the day our love for one another took a turn for the ------ (whatever)."

In the middle of all the energy you have to throw at recovering the boat, take a minute to decide what and how you want to do with the unexpected relationship energy this has created. If you have strong positive feelings for her, then let her know that you forgive her and will eventually move past it. This is a kind of gift you can give her that will pay off huge later on. Or, if you really don't care that much for her then you can harness this event to clarify what is or isn't working right. Either way, I'm just saying you should harness it as long as it happened.

Sorry for maybe putting myself into something I shouldn't. Good luck with the recovery!

When did Dr. Phil sign up for the site?

« **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2009, 09:37:32 PM »

Quote from: Marcsrollin on May 05, 2009, 09:35:08 PM

When did Dr. Phil sign up for the site?

« **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2009, 09:43:58 PM »

Quote from: Marcsrollin on May 05, 2009, 09:35:08 PM

When did Dr. Phil sign up for the site?

I just cannot stop laughing...

« **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:16:32 PM »

Quote from: povertyjet on May 05, 2009, 09:43:58 PM

I just cannot stop laughing...

same here X2

« **Reply #23 on:** May 06, 2009, 12:00:28 AM »

Quote from: povertyjet on May 05, 2009, 09:43:58 PM

I just cannot stop laughing...

X3

« **Reply #24 on:** May 06, 2009, 12:35:31 AM »

Umm Mu HA HA Ha

Now I say from absolutely no experience

with sunken boats (just dont get me started on falling out of a boat

) but I did fill the cylinders with water through the exhaust

Unplug it, drain oil, remove valve covers and spark plugs, and carb, maybe intake for sand and grime, turn it over by hand, you can see if push rods are bent/not opening enough. spray with oil in cylinders. Dry all electronic parts and carb. drain fuel tanks, maybe even connect a external gas tank . Refill with oil and new filter. Spin it a few times without the spark plugs in. Look and listen and decide if it might be safe to try and start it. Fire the SOB up for a min or 2. Then drain the oil and change the filter again. (basicly the same as Ralph's)

Mine sheared a dist pin when it hydrolocked... got it running at the lake with a cotter pin enough to get back to the trailer maybe a mile away

Cadillac

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