Heres what I found in my #3 cylinder when I pulled the heads off today.

Thanks for the tips. I had checked out some you tube videos already so that I could get a handle on what I was looking at. I decided that I probably won't need special tools unless the gimbal is bad. Having thru hull exhaust makes thinks a little easier. I do the basics on the snowmobiles and wheelers, and I have others I can tap for knowledge. I do have a helper too. I've always been mechanically inclined, so I should be fine.

The research that I did said that the 5200 was a permanent, and not good for the transom seal in the event you need to replace in the future, so I went with the 4200. The other stuff (silicone) says it's a great gasket sealant, so I'll use that on any gasket type stuff and the cuddy windows that I want to reseal. The transom seal, I'll use the 4200. The bellows, well the bellows adhesive, of course. I don't think that those (bellows) need the gasket seal as well. Just need the weather to cooperate.

Ouch, not good. Detonation cause?

Got some new pictures up at photo bucket. Found a hole in the gimbal housing. Assuming that it is aluminum, I'm going to jb weld it. Tried to get all off the bolts off from inside the engine compartment, couldn't get them all. Take a look and see what you think.

Gimbal bearing is sound.

Bellows are all off.

I'll add the picture link in a minute.

http://s1052.photobucket.com/albums/s446/KL2222/

I had the same issue with my transom plate. I have OMC cobra drive at time could not find good replacement. had a hole about the size of a quarter. used jb. to prep I left the finish rough. I wire brushed with stainles brush, then cleaned with acid type mag wheel cleaner. when filling I made sure it protruded on both sides of hole then smoothed leaving a generous thickness. final note. make sure to use the slow dry jb as it has much better strength and adhesion. good coat of epoxy primer then acrylic type paint. my repair lasted over 5 years

Good point. When I was at Home Depot I spoke with this guy who worked at the Chris Craft Factory in Sarasota, Florida. I couldn't believe it. He was really friendly and knowledgeable. He pointed me in the direction of JB waterweld. It's a specially formulated epoxy stick according to the label. I did some research and headed there originally for the epoxy kind with the two tubes. They didn't have that one. He gave me a lot of history about my particular boat. It was really cool.

Were you able to locate a replacement? I know eventually I'll need to get one. There aren't many shops that have the capability of welding aluminum.

Awesome!! What did this man say about these 23' stingers?? Would love to know the history behind these boats!

I found the Brother---> http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/3073789623.html

Damn, same paint as mine! How many were made with that paint scheme?

Got some new pictures of the progress to post. Got the shift cable bellow on and the water pump hose. The gimbal housing is a little sketchy in places so I'm going to go to Napa tomorrow and get that aviation gasket replacer stuff. I figured it would be better to get that on and let it cure, then put on the u joint bellow. The transom seal got a second coat of 5200 tonight. The waterweld stuff worked awesome. I think that it will last quite some time. Maybe I'll replace the housing when I get it repainted.

Sam- I'll have to send you an email. He pointed out that on the Chris Craft that all of the screws were perfectly true horizontally and vertically. It was neat to see him light up when speaking about the Chris Craft Vessels. He told me that my (our) particular boat he didn't build, but he was familiar. He was responsible for a lot of the different processes of assembly on the vessels. He did say that it is a very sound design, simple build ideas. He told me to come get him out of Home Depot when I launch so that he can see it. Must have spent at least a half hour talking to him. We covered the alignment, and bellows seals and such. When I go back, I'm going to ask him what years he worked there.

Sunday will be u joint bellow and reassembly. Then, Wednesday will be run the boat with the muffs. If all is good, it will be plop it in the water for my birthday!

http://s1052.photobucket.com/albums/s446/KL2222/

My fiance was like smile, I was like errr. lol