351 commander help

Congratulations! First off, do you have the title clear and in hand? Otherwise this could turn into a he said she said battle with terms of grand theft thrown in. I've seen it happen. Parts are common and can be through supporting businesses of this site. Make sure your starter is for the correct rotation, right hand presumably. Stay away from places like auto zone, the guys here will rip you a new one. Always remember there's a difference between a marine part and it's look-similar twin auto part that cost half as much.

Nice find Rob,

Free is always extra sweet. I already have a couple concerns.

First off, I hope you know that an '84 American Skier would not be a Correct Craft. So, you ether have a typo on the model year or you own an American Skier. Fantastic boat I might add. You'll love it. I own an '86.

If indeed it is an American Skier that boat never had a RH rotation engine installed in it. They all came out of the factory with LH engines so you have the wrong starter on it if you installed a RH.

You mention Christen's Marine and waiting for a call. I assume you mean Christines' Marine and are inquiring about new upholstery? Christine's Marine will only cater to Correct Craft so if you're talking about American Skier, they won't help you. I've already tried that.

Lastly, post some pics. I would love to see some and if it's truly an American Skier, I can turn you on to another Skier specific website. The guys here however are awesome and they might give you a little grief but it's all in good fun. Stick around, you'll learn a lot that can help you in maintaining your boat from them.

thanks ! i like the baby blue, going to look nice when she gets all buffed out
might be a dumb question but will it be ok if i use pcm parts for there 351 or do i have to find commander specific parts.

Gary S wrote: You'll have to get rid of those pvc exhausts and duct tape clamps too

Yup, I agree! Someones been doing a "back yard hack job" on it!!

wow...heard this story while me & Eddie were footing this am. Very nice looking boat-you are gonna love it. Keep the pics coming as you clean it up!

john

The distributor has the screw down cap,I think with that info and the info you posted above will get you the parts you need for it. Maybe even a NAPA will have them in their marine catalog,Prestolite marine distributor with screw down style cap. The pump picture looks like a fuel pump pic to me,take another from a little further out getting the whole thing in the pic. That whole boat should clean up real nice,great find!

Here is a pdf on the pump,it also shows it apart so you can figure how to take apart. Don't lose that pic you took so when you put it back on you do it right,it will fit back on 2 different ways,but only one will work correct. Genuine Sherwood impellers are best.

pdf for pump

right on ! il try nappa tomorrow theres a shop real close to me.

and yes i took a picture of the fuel pump lol

here is the water pump, it is a sherwood pump.





and I'm guessing my impeller will be inside here Actually, that's your tranny cooler. Your impeller will be in the Sherwood mentioned above -Brian





thanks for the help !!

rob1911 wrote: i noticed the bench seat upfront is glassed to the dash... i don't want to have to cut it out and reglass it in, but i can't think of any other way to get to the rotten floor out and replaced from under the bench seat ???

The observers seat base is a part of the deck. The only way to properly remove it is to remove the deck. It really isn't difficult. The rub rail cover strip comes off and then there are about 100 stainless screws that attach the deck to the hull through the rub rail.
Unplug the wiring harness from the engine and pull the plug harness back up to the dash so that comes out with the dash when you lift the deck off. The steering, throttle and shift cables need to be disconnected from the helm and throttle control. You'll also have to remove the rear seat back and disconnect the gas tank fittings (filler and vent tube) and sender wiring as well as the anchor light wiring. Undo the speedo tubes from the top of the brass oscillation tubes mounted on the transom right behind the gas tank as that tubing is run through the deck gunnels. Unscrew the observer seat base screws from the floor and with two or three other guys the deck will lift off really easy. You can set it on four saw horses then and have easy access to the floor and hull.
I know it sounds like a lot but it really isn't that bad and sooooo much easier to work on then.