Exhaust, intake, valve covers, heads, and oil pan coming off. Too much sludge to clean without doing so. Mike suggested intake gasket as a possible culprit. I'm hoping it's that simple but I'm going to thoroughly clean all sludge and replace all gaskets. Plan to make new oil lines to place the filter in an easier location to change. Install a quick drain valve with hose to exit through transom drain plug for clean easy oil changes.

Originally had thought to replace all bearings since it was salt water that intruded. More and more machinist are telling me with this low of hours it would be a waste. Thorough cleaning and fresh oil flushes and it will be fine as long as the heads arent hurt.

A few cylinder walls have some rust on them. Its stripped down, on a pallet, in the dually, ready to go to machine shop tomorrow for them to clean ans check all tolerances before I rebuild.

Dropped at the machine shop yesterday. Ive been tossing the idea of a 26 pc around for the overnighters and event weekends. Better for the kids and what not. Looked at a 29pc today that was super cheap but was just beyond my desire in need of work. Found a nice one just north of Knoxville Tenn. Spent over an hour on the horn with the guy. He is 2nd owner. His good friend bought it new in 89. Planning to load up the old dually tomorrow night and take my trailer. 8 hours later should be there. If it's as nice as the pictures show I will then be the owner of 2 1989 formulas.

Its supposed to be in good shape. We will know in the morning. Depart tonight around 8 or so.

Good luck

Came on home with an empty trailer. Boat was nice. Just not the level of nice that I expect out of a formula owner. Had a few issues: wont wrap over 4100rpm, wont plain, trim tabs not functional, the whole time barging, trim funky, bilge had oily water sloshing around",been here as long as I have had it" biggest and most important was the ac not cooling. The compressor would get hot, you could feel it vibrating, the evaporator never cooled for cool air to be drawn across it by the fan.

To make a long story short. I absolutely love the 26pc layout. This one was a flop but I'm not discouraged to look for more. The 26pc is the perfect family cruiser. It is just right. If this doesnt make sense ask anyone that owned or owns one. I want twin 4.3s but the alpha drive part sucks and the closest one I find on line is 850 miles from me. Also alpha is not something I want.

The single 330hp 454 s more common and seems like it would be a good choice if it acts better than the one I drove today.

Pros of duals= better docking, a backup plan to limp home if one poops out, more hp than single

cons= 2 oil changes, 2 impellers in lower units, alpha drives, twice plugs, wires, cap, rotor, carb cleaning, and not within 500 miles of home.

Sorry it didn't pan out. Hope the drive was otherwise un-eventful.
As they say, one mans opinion of "Excellent Condition" is just that.
I'll keep my eye open around the Houston area.

Thank you sir. This trip didnt include any traffic stops. It's a shame what your 272 has become. That would make me sick to see one of mine like that.

Machine shop called yesterday. Turns out the engine(8.2) was assembled with 454(7.4) head gaskets. That means the sealing ring had less than .01" of surface contact between the heads and block. They found 3 cylinders where the water was flowing from water jacket to cylinder. Tomorrow they will get the crank and rods out and determine if the cylinders need any more attention than just a hone.