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What’s it worth? 1990 242ss
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...420a727e8.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9fb94361e.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...062796381.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d02e17fd9.jpeg Hi guys looking at buying a boat. 1990 242ss supposedly mostly fresh water boat. 200 hours on rebuilt 454. Says it’s in pretty good shape for the age but boat has no spark so can’t hear it run. Says it ran fine last year. Comes with a cover Bimini top and a roller dual axle trailer. What do you think a fair price would be based upon what he’s stating? Of course I’d like to figure out the no spark issue while looking at it but not sure if I’ll be able to if it needs a part. Just not sure what a good price would be if worse case scenario motor was junk. Any thoughts? thank you |
I just bought a 1988 242ss with a newer double axle trailer.
the boat needs some vinyl repair and the engine is a tad tired, but i paid $7000 for it. |
and mine had no bottom paint.
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Also included a full camper enclosure.
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i will post a pic
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as soon as i get to 10 posts
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Has the seller listed a price? If it won’t run, then there is no guarantee that it ever will (from a buyer’s standpoint) so that puts a heavy burden on the price. NADA retail is about $7k average not including the trailer. The boat doesn’t run so you’re looking at perhaps as low as 50 cents on the dollar. If the seller can get it running, $7k is probably fair. If not, maybe $5k. That’s assuming the transom, stringers, bulkheads all check out. |
Don't overlook the roller bunk trailer. What are scrap metal prices these days? I am with Tom, probably all in around 6K.
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Thank you for all the responses. Very helpful. Makes me feel a bit better. Going to look at the boat tomorrow and bringing some ignition parts so hopefully can get it running while there but this gives me an idea on pricing. I’ll update after looking at it |
I serviced that boat years ago
It originally owned by an Asian dr. That slipped it on the Charles. I did a sea trial for the next owner who was a mailman in billerica that kept it at a slip in east boston. I told that guy he needed risers one year and he didn't want to do them and he wrecked the motor a year later. He had another shop do the motor for him.... never saw the boat again except when I drove by his house in the winter where he stored it... anyhow. I had an 88 242ss bravo 7.4 on nice trailer no bottom paint ran mint. No salt sold cheap for 8500 3 years ago.
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So I bought the boat tonight. Just brought it home. Wasn’t able to get it running but will try this weekend. It needs a good cleaning. Motor looks great. Very little rust. Spins over nice. Oil is clean. Took breather out of valve cover. Heads looked really clean. All electrical works so need to get it fired up this weekend. Ended up getting it for $3000 with trailer. The guy had tons of receipts for work done |
Congrats! And cannot beat the price! |
Congratulations and welcome to the 242 group. When you get to sorting it out, look in the direction fo the timing module first. I had a few weeks of tracking my brain on mine and almost changed the whole ignition when it was as simple as plugging in a new timing module and setting base timing.
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Sweet boat for sure have fun with it |
I’m hoping to mess with it tonight. The guy I bought it from put an msd distributor in it when he couldn’t get spark but it came with generation 4 ignition parts so I will probably reinstall those and diagnose from there. I also noticed the the engine alarm is disconnected. The 2 tan/blue wires. Hoping that maybe has something to do with it if it might have an oil pressure cut out switch. I will let you know what I find. Can’t wait to drop it in the water |
No LOPCO on these, the tan/blue wire is only a dash alarm oil pressure/water temp/low outdrive reservoir oil level (if equipped), no shut down.
The ignition trouble shooting guide has been posted many times, once within the past couple of weeks but I cannot remember the post. I think if you start at the beginning of RedNeck's thread it is in there also. When redoing the ignition back to Merc Thunderbolt (the only way to go) remember ground, ground, ground everything and together. Of course check the ignition switch and through the kill switch first for 12 V. You will love the 242SS as they are Fairley rare compared to the LS and the cockpit is the size of most 32-35' boats. You will soon learn to HATE working in the bilge, the double stringers and raised false floor makes it a true PITA. Congrats on the acquisition and keep us posted with your progress. Always feel free to ask questions the 242 family here is pretty tight., Good Luck |
The MSD set up is simple. Is it using a ready to run distributor without the MSD box? If so, you just need power and ground. If using the MSD box, it may be bad. The system is easy to test. The TB-IV is about the most reliable of all though. |
It is a ready to run MSD. TESTED AND have 12volt at positive on coil but that’s all the time I had so far. Hopefully have time tonight to work on it. I will keep everyone posted when I figure it all out. And your right not much room in the engine bay and I’m 6’4”. Lol. I did find the test procedure for the gen iv ignition and few days ago and will run down that list |
I wanted to swap to something simple like an hei. Once I figured out the Tb iv I really like it. Simple, find the curve that fits your engine and never look back. I keep a spare module, cap, rotor, plugs, and wires in the berth just is case.
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We have the same boat! I don’t see many other SS models and have never seen another with my paint scheme. I only had one picture stored on the iPod but I wanted to share it and say congrats.[img]webkit-fake-url://9d5a267f-1922-4d3e-ab5e-d28b2e23b823/imagejpeg[/img]
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Roscoe, is yours for sale on craigslist??? I saw one in niceville the other day that has a similar scheme.
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Nope not mine. Niceville craigslist? I’ll check it out. The wife may be trying to curb my spending and I don’t know it. Thanks |
Hi ph. That is cool. We do have the same boat. I like the paint scheme too. I only had about a half hour before dark to try and get it running. No luck but figured out the MSD distributor does need an ignition box so that makes sense why it’s not getting spark this way. Hopefully I will have some time tomorrow to put the gen iv distributor and brain back in it. After looking at those parts my guess is the brain and pick up for the distributor is bad after looking at them but I have a friend that has those parts and I have coils so if I have the time I’m sure I’ll be able to get it running. Can’t remember the last time I needed a timing light. Lol. But will keep everyone updated with progress and hopefully next one I’m saying it’s running and running good |
Good luck Skirby. Might not be a bad Idea to pop in a fresh impeller just so you know it’s good. They are MUCH easier to remove in one piece. |
I think I will be doing that as I found one in one of the compartments. Never done one before but I’m sure I can find a video online somewhere. Really hoping to get it in the water this weekend at some point to test her out |
Don't put in a used impeller, if you are going to replace use new. The used is for emergency fix and replace the stainless wear ring also. Only use Mercruiser NOT Sierra. IMO
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The one I have in the boat is brand new in the package but it is a Sierra. |
I run sierra, lifetime warranty at oriellys. Replace it before the season every year for free and keep a spare in the boat.
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Just an update. Swapped back to the gen iv ignition. Bought new cap rotor and distributor sensor. Cleaned all grounds. Have 12v at the coil and still no spark. Thinking it must be the module but I do have 12v coming out of it at the white/red wire. Kind of stumped and I can’t find another module to test. Ugh!!! |
What’s the part number of the MSD distributor you took out? |
I will check the part number tomorrow and post |
Msd part # is 85551 |
Found a module. It’s a v8-22. Mine had a v8-24. Put it in to test and boat is running. Have to replace raw water pump though. Not pumping but at least I heard it fire. Thanks everyone for all the help |
That’s great you got it running. Hope you can get out on it soon. |
I want to go out tomorrow. Did the water pump. Replaced one side of the exhaust between riser and transom. Have to find a piece for the other side. That’s all that’s holding me up from going out tomorrow. Hoping to find one. |
Does anyone here have the procedure for timing this engine? It’s a 454 I believe 330hp. Thunderbolt IV. Don’t know what timing should be at idle and one of my friends said I have to pay careful attention to base timing. Not sure what that means. Right now I have a v8-22 module until I find the v8-24 so that I’m sure will make a difference with timing. Looking for a good starting point so I can take it out and test it |
Start with about 10-12 deg at 750 idle. That is base which really is not that important, it is the total that matters most.
you have 22 degrees advance from the module and 10-12 at idle should put total to 32-34 deg total. 10 + 22 = 32 or 12 + 22 = 34 run the motor up to about 4000 rpm and check timing with digital delay timing light fine tune to 32-34 degrees. Now it is set correct. Go back and check base (750 rpm idle) for future reference to make next time easier. Do NOT readjust the idle timing, it is the TOTAL that is the one you set to. Congrats on getting it going and how much blood did you loose replacing that raw water pump on that boat?. |
Sorry for all the questions. Set it to 10-12 at idle that’s after zero on the balancer right? Also can you run a boat on muffs at 4000 rpms? Just don’t want to screw it up. As far as blood lost a little bit not as much as I thought after seeing where it was |
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