JenniferMarie
New Member
OK so before I go into what I am needing help with, let me give you a little of a background of myself. I did not grow up around boats. I had a deep interest in them before I had ever even been on one. At 17, I joined the Navy. I started as a Hull Technician and went on to be an EOD. SO I got away from repairing ships and ended up blowing things up. Needless to say, my passion for boating only grew from there. I have helped my friends work on their boats and had a business with a buddy for a while of restoring boats, but I really only did electrical wiring, hull repair and restoration tear out. He did all the motor work and most of the actual restoration stuff. I have a background in construction. I have a friend that does painting and upholstery work and 2 other guys that can work on motors. Now that that's out of the way let's move on.
I just got my hands on a 1978 Formula Thunderbird 255 Liberator. I got it for like $250, but really I got if or nothing because I traded something I don't use anymore for it. The hull is in perfect shape, just needs paint. All of the wood parts of the interior were wet and soft and I have ripped it all out. It's basically an open design hull now. The motor is in it, but it hasn't been run, started or winterized in 5 years. It originally had twin V8 motors and twin props. The previous owner converted it to a single engine with a shaft drive. The motor is a Chrysler Marine 290. So here is what I want to know...
1. Is the Chrysler Marine 290 worth rebuilding?
2. If I want to repower the boat, should I leave the shaft drive or convert back to the outdrive?
3. If I do repower, what motor should I get? I want fuel injected, more power and better mpg?
Thanks for all your help in advance.
I just got my hands on a 1978 Formula Thunderbird 255 Liberator. I got it for like $250, but really I got if or nothing because I traded something I don't use anymore for it. The hull is in perfect shape, just needs paint. All of the wood parts of the interior were wet and soft and I have ripped it all out. It's basically an open design hull now. The motor is in it, but it hasn't been run, started or winterized in 5 years. It originally had twin V8 motors and twin props. The previous owner converted it to a single engine with a shaft drive. The motor is a Chrysler Marine 290. So here is what I want to know...
1. Is the Chrysler Marine 290 worth rebuilding?
2. If I want to repower the boat, should I leave the shaft drive or convert back to the outdrive?
3. If I do repower, what motor should I get? I want fuel injected, more power and better mpg?
Thanks for all your help in advance.