1998 Air Nautique with a bad Engine/Trans

[Tmosely1]

I am going tomorrow to take a look at a 98 air Nautique with a bad engine and possibly a bad transmission. Story is that the boat sat outside for 3 years uncovered and the oil is creamy. Tried changing the intake and refill and creamed right back up. The transmission was also possibly run a couple quarts low for an unknown amount of time. I'm sure you can also imagine that the gelcoat and interior are also lovely.
I would like to hear opinions on drivetrain. Anyone have a recipe for a good carb'd engine? Or should I try to retro a fuel injected motor in? I would need to stay 302/351 for the bell housing to mate. I know about the Open loop /return line / ecm issue with street engines, but would a stock PCM marine harness and ECM plug in to a street engine, or are there differences in the senders?
The boat has nothing going for it other than its name right now and I would like to give it some glory, but my budget is not without it's limits. Let's hear some opinions.

[a0128]

There is a guy on the CFF forum (Treybizttu) who has done exactly what you are considering. http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum...uy-newish-boat

You may want to reach out to him and have a discussion as to what is involved, how much time and money he has invested and get a general idea of effort involved.

[Treybizttu]

I could write you a novel at this point....

Check out my CCF post linked here when you have time and PM incoming from me as well.

And just as a note I'm putting my boat in the water sunday for it's first full lake test and fingers crossed its headed to the lakehouse for the summer within a few weeks.

[shag]

You might be surprised. If the motor is locked up, try pulling the spark plugs and squirting some PB blaster in each cylinder. Let it set over night then get a long bar/ratchet and a impact socket for the crankshaft nut. Try slowly working it back and forth. You might have to pull hard a few times, but it might loosen up. I have freed up a couple motors like this. Once you get it free, turn the crank by hand/ratchet a few times, change the oil, then try to start it (assuming the starter isn't toast. You will need to change the oil/filter several times to be sure you get any contaminants out. Good luck!