1984 242 sr1
 

Hey Guys,
New to the forum. Just bought a 1984 242 SR1 w/ Twin Stock Merc 260's. Bit of a project, but hopefully nothing too scary (fingers crossed!). Starboard motor is seized up, so that will be the first thing to get right. Will probably pull it, strip the accessories, and get it off to the machine shop to put it back to factory specs. Id do a build, but will reserve that for later when I can build or replace both engines.

Once I get the engine off to the MS, Ill start on the interior. The bolsters and bench seat have been recovered, but the carpet on the deck and in cabin is gone, and the headliner will need replaced.

Anyone have the same boat that would be willing to send me detailed pics of the deck and cabin, so I have a better idea of what im building back to? Im sure im missing some pieces that will need rebuilt.

Also, need to know what size/type/model fridge these came with originally, mine is gone and I will need to source a replacement.

Anyway, here is how she sits now. Will post more pics once I get her home next weekend and cant start tearing into her. Hope to have her up and running in time for the season to start here in Ohio. With my old Sea Ray 260 DA, I used to boat on Catawba with an occasional trip to Cumberland. Since the "new" boat is a lot more trailerable, look forward to bouncing back and forth to both lakes more often with a sprinkle of the Ohio River in Cincinnati thrown in there.

Thanks in Advance for your help, Im sure I will have lots of questions over the next couple of months!

Billy

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I was just looking at that boat on craigslist about 10 min ago. Whats the inside look like?

I didnt know Formula made a 24 foot boat with twins...Cool boat!

Did you have the boat surveyed? Did the transom and stringers look ok?

Ha! Yeah I went down and bought it last week, must not have taken it down yet! The inside needs some work, new carpet, headliner, put back together etc. Shouldn't be too bad as its fairly small, well compared to my old Sundancer.

Billy

I did not have to boat surveyed. Mainly because even if I have to do the transom and motor mounts, I would still come out ahead for what I paid for it. The transom looked ok from what I could tell, but I bought it knowing it was a project. I plan on pulling both the motors anyway (one needs rebuilt, mys well pull the other while I'm at it) to repaint the bildge and replace a lot of parts etc, so if I have to do the transom at the same time it wont be a huge deal at that point.

Thanks,
Billy

Cool Cool boat!!! I gotta ask how much did you pay for it? Just curious. Just say no if you dont want to say how much.

No worries. He was asking $3200, I payed $2800. Figured worst case scenario I could get my money back out of the Trailer and Engine/Outdrives, but the plan is to restore it completely.

Billy

Billy...congrats on the purchase and welcome to the Formula family...lots of help here. First of all ...you have a rare boat in that there were very few 242's built with twins. That being said, you can get a look at the 1984 Formula Brochure here
http://www.formulaboats.com/document...20Brochure.pdf

That will give you pics of what it looked like. I am 90% finished with the restoration of my 255 Liberator which was the predecessor to your model. This is a link to my thread that will give you some ideas. http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...or-update.html. I'm doing an engine upgrade with twin 400 plus horse 355's and Bravo drives.

You picked a good one to restore. With twin 260's expect 65 MPH as a top speed and 55~60 as a cruise. There is a lot of good info on this site.

Consider buying a marine long block replacement and simply swap the accessories over to the new engine...probably cheaper in the long run than paying a machine shop. You probably want to get the drives checked also. You may as well plan on pulling them both since you need to in order to pull the engines. While you have them off take them to a drive shop to have new seals and water pump impellers installed.

Post some pics as soon as you can...we would love to see your progress.

Hey Thanks Sprink! Ive read your entire thread, awesome job!

Yes still debating on rebuilding the block I have or buying a long block, guess ill get quotes and compare the numbers. Would be nice to have a spare block to slow build while I run the stock 260's.

Ill post up pics this weekend when I get her home and start tearing in.

Thanks
Billy

Are those the original two piece rear main, non roller engines? If so, I have the two motors that I pulled out of my boat that I will need to unload. If you may be interested, I can review them and even pull a couple of bearing caps to inspect the cranks. Would be a way to replace the siezed one and get back on the water quickly.

By the way, you got a hell of a deal.

Brian

Billy, Nice project and a great deal! Hopefully we will see you on the water... come hang with us at buckeye ocean or lake erie. Quite a few Ohio guys on here.

Artie

Hey Brian,
Yes I do believe that they are the original Merc's. I may be interested in your engines, let me know what you find and how much you are looking to get out of them!

Thanks!
Billy

Hey Artie!

I will for sure be on lake erie! I used to dock at Gem Beach on Catawba, so I will probably go back to that area when I get her running, although I will NOT be leaving this boat in the water. My trip to PIB will be a lot quicker :D

Thanks,
Billy

WOW Great boat at a steal You will love it Cant wait to see it at PIB

Oh i'm sure she will be a staple at B dock this summer ;)

Cool! We'll see ya there!

GFuess I gotta stop in at PIB... I maore of a Kelleys guy, huge group of regulars there with offshore boats.... I am over PIB big time, but stop in once in a while...

The 242 with twins is a sweet ride! it's SR1? not LS? SR1 shouyld have bolsters... but I was not aware they made the SR1 in 84...?

I like anchoring at Kelly's on Sunday mornings and swimming all day. Plus the ride over from the Bay early in the morning is usually smooth as glass. That was great for my last boat, but the more I read about these type of boats is they actually like a little chop? Should be great for normal Erie conditions. lol

Im pretty sure it is, but who knows. It does have stock bolsters. No holes in the deck for post seat mounts. Will inspect more when I go grab her from Cincy on Saturday. Is there a way to tell definitely from the Hull ID?

Thanks,
Billy

Anyone had any experience with Atlantic Marine Inc out of Florida? They look to be the most reasonably priced for a long block, if I go that route.

http://powersourcedist.com/Atlantic_Marine.html

Still need to swing by my machine shop and ask for an estimate but I doubt they could beat the $1600 that this would be shipped.

Stand up Bolsters were an option on all 242 LS in '84 & '85.Also optional was thru hull exhaust and trim tabs.There was no SR-1 designation in those years ...only SS/SF or LS. The only SR-1 model was the 302. Whoever ordered your boat new checked those options off along with twin 260 V8's.

That boat will eat Lake Erie up and know this...it will withstand more than you will!!:evilb:

I think my friend Diego bought his Stainless Marine exhaust from them. I almost bought from them until I found my engines. You might want to Google them to check for negative press.

They are in Hialeah/Miami Lakes...there are several builders in that area that sell nationally. What ever you do...DO NOT use A & L in Miami.(http://www.alengine.com/) They build junk and screwed my brother on a long block they said was .030 over that turned out to be .060!! The cylinder heads were two different part numbers and had different sized combustion chambers and the water jacket/cylinder wall corroded thru in less than a year and they would NOT honor the warranty.

Power Source has a decent reputation but look around online for negative feedback.

See...we watch out for you here!!

Thanks for the info! Guess I can't really call it an SR-1 then!:lolhit:

Also good to know about withstanding Erie Conditions, I was originally worried that a 242 would be too small. My old 260 got very scary when I would get caught in 6-7 footers. Having an extra engine should help significantly.

The 242 is a great Erie boat for 24 footer... I have to admit after having a 20, 24, 32, and now a 35... I am spoiled and will never have anythuing less then 32ft ever again in Eire... lol

Hey Guys,
Finally got the boat home and got some work started. All of the cabin cushions are with my mom, who is pretty good on the sewing machine, although I still have to pick a color material.

Having the boat in the driveway is great. This morning I got both motors pulled, and I did it all by myself lol. Who says you need a buddy to pull a couple of engines.

Rented this towable hoist from a rental place here in Columbus.

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When I went to pull the first engine, I was about 4 inches short of the transom. Grr

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So I let the air out of the tires and removed the bell housing. Gave me just enough to get em out.

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Never been so happy to see a motorless boat!

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...24DE57F528.jpg

And a garage full of parts lol

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...24F850DA7B.jpg

Now the real work can begin. This thing is dirty! So I will strip everything out of the bildge and power wash everything from the cabin aft, and then decide what wood needs replaced in the bilge. I will for sure do the engine mounts, probably the center stringer, and Im considering doing the transom just to know its done. Some jackass tried to move the thru hull and just filled it with silicone. Grrr Even if the transom is dry, Im worried about the lack of strength from not having wood in those four holes. Anyway, thats all for now, hopefully it dosn't rain tomorrow and I can get everything clean and stripped.

Thanks,
Billy

You're doing great!!! I tried to use the "Tilt and tow on mine but my 255 has too much free board...had to use a fork lift. Get a couple of gallons of that Bio degradable Purple Cleaner after your bilge...big time saver.

Yeah definitely going to need some powerful cleaner! I'll grab the purple stuff. I was glad I was able to make the tilt work, I didn't know how the hell I was going to set the engines back in place by myself if I had too!

Now I just need a couple of good sunny weekends to really make some progress and start glassing.

Cheers!

A 24 with twins is gotta be stearn heavy. Might want to think about k-planes while it's apart. Just a thought. I know I wish my 292 had em.

That`s a goods days work love to see a good project like this take place. The 242 is a great boat would love one with twins, keep the pics coming all this will be worth it.

masi

Your third pic gives me a question. I know what I had on mine, wondering if others were the same.

My first guess is those are not the original engines, but were swapped out. The ONLY reason I say this, is the drain plug on the oil pan. My marine pans had the drain right in the middle of them on the flat section. That one pan shows the drain plug on an angled section the same as all the standard truck engines.

You know what that means? Absolutely nothing. :party-smiley-004:

Actually I am just curious of what others have found. Are all mercruiser pans for 5.7L motors the marine ones with the drain in the middle? Or did I just get three motors all with center drains by chance on mine. (bought a spare also) First guess is those are not the original motors, but really just a WAG.

I am also having flashbacks to my rebuild. you sound just like me..... :lolhit:
Brian

Looks good. I'd look at remote mounting oil filters. That would be no fun to change in boat. Lol

+1...you can't even see the filters with the engines installed much less change them. Get the remote kits for sure!!!

Will do, as well as the fittings for the oil pans to drain the oil with a pump hook up.

Now you're talking...if you want them to live you have to keep good clean oil in them...especially important with Flat Tappet motors...a lot more friction on the cams and lifters.

Not too much going on today. Did get the trim pumps out of the bilge, all the wiring labeled, cleaned out all of the bilge drain holes, and vacuumed pretty good. Too cold to be power washing, and Im a little sore from pulling the engines yesterday lol

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At second glance, the wood in the engine bay all seems solid. Ill take some core samples to be sure, but I may have got lucky. I will address those extra set of thru holes for sure tho. Im thinking about filling with peanut butter and then glassing in some wood overtop of them on the backside for structural support. That sound good enough if the transom turns up dry? Also will probably fill the holes in the motor mounts with PB as well so when I go to reinstall the motors the lag bolts have more bite.

Next up will be cleaning up the wiring and running it thru PVC as high as possible to hide it, adding some wood to mount the trim pumps on the gunwales, cleaning and painting the bilge, and installing LED lights, possibly a hydraulic hatch lift in between the center engine mounts.

Then I have to get my engines stripped down and off to the machine shop to see what kind of shape they are in. The one that was supposed to be locked up, didn't have a starter on it. Wondering if thats why the guy before me couldn't get it started. If both only need a freshening up, that would be tits! Would like to get the blocks painted red if they hot tank them. The "good" motor has a holley intake on it. Im gonna try to trade it for a RPM Performer. I already have one to replace the stock merc on the other engine, so having both motors with the same intake would be good IMO. Not sure what Im going to do about carbs yet. Have quadrajunks on them now, may have them rebuilt for the time being and get a set of edlebrock's next season.

Also been somewhat working on my sink thingy (don't know what to call it lol) I stripped it down, and covered the exposed side with white vinyl. Had to use a 1/8 mat backing to hide the imperfection in the wood. It will be trimmed with teak refinished with Sikkens Natural Teak and Gloss Top Coat. Im going to put the water tank underneath it, and replace the pump sink with a DC run water pump. The counter top lower door and front face will be done with Teak as well, and Im going to do the floor in the cabin all in teak so it will match. Can you tell I'm a teak guy? haha My old DA had a TON of teak, love the look of it. Gonna bring that mid 80's teak look to this boat as much as possible. Anyway here's some pics of the current sink enclosure thus far.

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Thanks!

Billy

Thats is a good idea, then I can use the bennet pump to run a hyraulic hatch lift. I like it ! Ill keep my eye out for a good used set.

Thanks
Billy

Honestly I have no idea whats going on with these motors. Gonna have them looked at to be sure. The one that was supposedly locked up (Starboard) is probably the original. The other (the one you saw the drain plug on) is most definitely not. It has brass plugs and marine accessories, but I really hope they didn't just throw a truck motor in there. We shall see I suppose!

Hey did you ever get a chance to look into your motors at all?

Thanks,
Billy

The stock motors are the same as the truck motors, just a different cam for the long block. All the truck motors I have seen have had brass plugs in them also. do yourself a favor and put a breaker bar on the harmonic balance bolt and see if you can spin it over. Shouldn't take a huge amount of force, don't want to strip out that bolt. But it is a fine thread bolt also.

No, we have not even opened them up yet. Mechanic at work has actually been working on work stuff, not much time for baot stuff. My SB motor is back together, so we need to get it moved and pull out the old motors and inspect them again. If I recall, one is original mercruiser bored .040 over and basically new. Except for one cyclinder had a melted/chipped corner on it that put a faint groove in the sidewall of the cylinder. Otherwise it looks great. Would probably run like it was on 7 3/4 cylinders.

The other motor was a newer Jasper engine that I thought had a crack in cylinder #1, but once out it looked fine. I think it was a rust line from water that drained out of the heads when we pulled them but I need to inspect again. Just one of those things....

Brian

Got a little bit of work done tonight on the original Merc. Got it almost all the way tore down. Can't turn the harmonic balancer with a pry bar, but that might be because the engine coupler is sitting on the jack stand. Ill move it under the oil pan tomorrow and see if I can get it to move. Need to get a stand so I can flip it over and see whats going on inside. Valves and Springs look good from what I can tell, but then again I'm far from an Engine Expert. Just want to see if I can spot any obvious things wrong with it before I take it to get looked at.

Here's how it sits now.

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Billy

Billy... Congrats brother! Once all the work is done you will enjoy that 242!!! I rand an 84 242 LS on Lake Erie for the past 4 years. As others have said, it will handle the chop very well!! I have had mine out in 6 + footers... as it's not really enjoyalbe (at least with 2 heriniated discs) she will handle it. Being so stern heavy you will have a much longer time getting out of the hole.. I suggest running 4 blades.. I was only running a single screw but man...when i made the switch to a 4 blade, I poped right out of the hole!!! only lost 4 mph top end too...for me it was worth the trade off as LE can throw some crap at ya.. I completely restored my 242, follow the link below. Just traded her in, moved up to a 312 fastech. Good luck withe everything!!! Hope to see that sweet float on the water!!

http://s1073.photobucket.com/user/rossman4040/library/

Wow! Great 242 Man! Really well done, love the Bird on the Engine Hatch! Gonna have to do something like that when I re-do the vinyl, probably after this season. Lot of detail in that boat, what a nice job! Hope mine turns out as nice!

I will def be more worried about getting on a plane quickly then top end speed. From what I can tell 19 pitched props are good for the hole, 23 is for the top end. Will probably try to go somewhere in between, maybe 21 pitched 4 blades? Cant wait to start worrying about prop pitch problems :) Still LOTS to do!

Thanks for the pictures, those will be a HUGE help when I start on the interior.

Billy