New 'toon owner

[Boatally Insane]

I just picked up a Harris 240 with an 3.0 litre OMC I/O....

Needs some TLC but the price was right!! $750.00





Haven't had it in the water yet and just wondering what to expect speed wise....

Would adding a 3rd pontoon help much with speed / handling?

My last boat ran 85 mph so this is DEFINATELY a change for me.. just wondering what to expect....


Thanks,

Doug

[HandymanHerb]

A whole lot slower and yes a 3rd pontoon will do you wonders as you can see by the water line it's riding low.

Oh and welcome to the nut house, we can see you will fit right in.

[jim454]

wow, It's worth that!

I too had a speed boat but there's nothing like a lazy chug on the water with a cold beer and good friends.

Have fun with it.

[tkrein]

nice find remember tol change all fluids and the water pump as who knows what shape it is in nice boat though

[mikeherb]

Looks like a great project boat. Should be a lot of fun for you, especially for the price.

Keep us posted on your restore and Welcome to the Club!

[Boatally Insane]

Thanks for the welcome.


I got the rotted "stringer" boot replaced today....



Got it started, but it didn't like the 3 yr old gas too well...

I'm gonna' pull the gas tanks and clean 'em out... also I'll have to replace all the fuel lines as they're all dry rotted and leaking....


There's a couple soft spots in the floor I'll have to take care of, but the majority of the floor seems solid....
Thankfully they had covers on the seasts or it would need a BUNCH more work by now....





Doug

[tkrein]

still nice find, have fun that what they are all about

[badmoonrising]

Excellent motor, same as the proven Mercruiser 3.0. Replace all fuel lines, change the fluids and filters, tune her up and maybe a carb rebuild if needed. I'd replace the drive water pump, motor water pump, belt and fuel pump if it hasn't been used in awhile as well as clean the fuel tank.

[WaltF]

I see a beer can on the floor, so youre already headed in the right direction!!
Congrats!

[outbox]

Nice score, I'd buy that for 750 any day. After you upgrade everything you want, you will still be way ahead on the money spent. I like the top. Would love to have one. Bet it sounds sweet in the rain! And a free beer can, deal!!

[FloterBoter]

do what bmr said.
and try to sneak a look at the rubber motor mounts.
sometimes one in back wears out. not too hard to replace.
i don't know omc sterndrives. be sure to change the gear
lube and then check it for water after the first hour or two.
the plug wires look pretty good but i'd change 'em anyway.
and i'd run a bottle of techron through with the first tank
of gas.

enjoy!

[Boatally Insane]

Well, I got one of the tanks cleaned out and rebuilt the carburator but it still ran like crap...

I threw my timing light on it and found the timing was jumping all over the place... Especially at idle.. It was SOOO bad I couldn't even set the timing... some one had replaced the original distributer with what looked like an automotive electronic unit.

Luckily I had bought a COMPLETE 3.0L Mercruiser set up (I got the drive and everything for $75.00 ) so I stole the distributer and swaped it out..

It fired right up and ran EXCELLENT!!!!

[badmoonrising]

Automotive electrical/electronic parts are a giant "no-no" on marine applications. Automotive parts are not ignition protected for one thing.

[Boatally Insane]

My original plan was to just patch the soft spot towards the front of the boat by just laying another piece of wood over the existing floor, but the more we walked around while cleaning the more soft spots we noticed, so I figered we may as well get it done now....

We removed the hard top and all the seats...


Pulled the railing...



Pulled the console


Then pulled the rotted deck...

[badmoonrising]

I like how the motor is somewhat above deck, much easier for maintenance. Tracker buries the 3.0 well below deck level.