I bought my prowler (stock 502, bravo 1) in late august and had a great end of the season with it. Got it with 335 hrs now has 380 hrs on it. last run of the season (Destin Florida to Orange Beach Alabama) I broke some gears in the Bravo 1. found a refurbed one and thought I was going to get out pretty easy, not my luck. Once the drive and bell housing came off I noticed pieces of the gimbal housing had been broken off, so much that it will have to be replaced. So to put the new transom assembly on I will be pulling the engine. With only 380hrs on the motor I hate to rebuild but since it is out I said what the he!!, lets tear it down. I dont really have any questions, just asking for some suggestions on what to look for and odds and ends to take care of while I have the boat apart. I thought it would be fun to share my winter rebuild with you guys. I'll be posting pictures and updates as progress is made. This is my first power boat so i am getting a good taste.

I would replace the bilge pumps, maybe paint the bilge.

Added it to the list. I'm so focused on the motor and drive it's little things like that I forget about doing while its easy. Taking the motor out today and getting into the shop. Ill have some pictures tonight and hope to have it broken down by mid week.

kwooley how long of a trip is it by boat from destin to orange beach

We left from Brooks Bridge in Ft. Walton running the ditch, ran around 55's to 60 and it took 1.5 hrs to the no wake zone in perdido Key. That is a long no wake zone but once you are through it you are basically there. I want to say it was 65 miles oneway.

Six hours of non stop work last night, engine is torn down to the bare block. Just a few problems; one cylinder had water in it, one piston had a frozen ring, Three pistons had hit valves. So it's out with the "what the he$$ let's rebuild it" and in with "I had some problems". I had time to do a quick magna flux on the one head that had water problems, came up clean but still am going to pressure check it. The other thing to figure out is why the starboard side of the engine was getting hotter than the other, you can tell just by looking at the head. I'll get pictures up of the damage as soon I can get home before midnight.

Kwooley is the ditch the intercoastal? You can go from destin to there without going into the gulf?

Yep, thats what we call it. I'm not sure if it runs any further West than Mobile Al, but as far east as you can go is Appalacacola, Fl.

pictures

See the head bolts in the previous picture. Think I had some water and heat damage? I knew that side always ran warmer than the other but not so much that it was doing that kind of damage. Took about 45 minutes to get three head bolts out on that side, lucky they came without drilling. Pressure tested the head today, no leaks. I have my theory as to why it was running hot, lets hear yours! As for the cylinder with water, I will add no water in the oil. I took another look at the riser on that side and gasket seems to be responsible. I'll get some pictures of the pistons later this week. As much as it sucks to find damage I have to admit I am having fun with it and learning a ton.