Bernie

The last of that model line Dan. I have a slow leak in a rear tire I have to fix. Other than oil changes absolutely nothing else has been replaced in the last 2 years. Did some body work on it 3 years ago ,and honestly I can't remember the last mechanical repair I had to do on it. Thank you Lew. That means a lot coming from you. You will love that truck.

I work on them all, day in day out. About half of the vehicles I get in my shop are pickups, all breeds, mostly domestic. This is solely my opinion and I will try to remain impartial. Nothing is infallible. You can run into problems whatever you drive. Imports are generally more reliable but often are not designed to carry or pull like domestics (there are exceptions,I know) Parts were once quite a bit more for imports but that isn't so true anymore. So my advise is buy what suits your requirements. You don't pull that boat every day (well most of us don't ) You could make do with something a little less powerful in most cases and save fuel in the long run. Whatever brand you like, shop not only price but the dealer too. They should have a good service department with technicians that know what they are doing. You may need to have good dealer relations in the future. A diesel may sound cool to some but I believe the diesel designs in domestic pickups were meant to run day in day out to make them pay for themselves (as long as the turbo stays together). What you pay extra for the diesel and the higher maintainence costs you can buy a lot of gasoline. And the much heavier engine also takes a toll on front end suspension and steering components. So basically what I am saying is unless you really NEED a diesel why put up with the noise, stinking fuel and exhaust, sometimes hard to find good fuel and the issues I mentioned before? Personally from what I see and if I needed to buy a new truck it would be a Ford with the 5.4. They do have their issues, yes, but they still on average are less problems than the others. My personal pickup at this time is a 96 F-150 4x4 with 270,000 km on it and still runs great. Been the best truck for me ever, and believe me, I have driven many in the past. I also have a Honda CRV that I have been running since last March. I also really like this one. Not great for a long trip but for booting around town it's a lot of fun and easy on fuel. Take my words or leave em'....Just speaking my piece.

Regardless of the plow, this is supposed to be a truck more than capable of pushing a plow. And we all know the plow isn't the cause of the failure. Was the plow on the truck when it was brought in for the original engine noise complaint? Something just doesn't seem to fit right here. Are we getting the whole story from both sides? What about maintainence records? And proper engine oils used?

Top of the morning to you Lew. I was just happy everyone spent the day together here. It is so good to have them all here at the same time ! Forgot just how noisy it can get !

Cliff, that was beautiful. That is one of my favorite Christmas tunes. And you made it sound like it needs to be heard. Thank you for putting it on here for us.

I take it all back....

Now that was a good chuckle.

Thank you Jeff. I think by Boxing Day I will make the trip over to the island.

Jeff. Were you in Hunters Bay?

You are right Paul. not a 4 cylinder. Mine is a V6 175. Smaller and lighter than the 130 Honda I ran a few years ago. I get to run a few of the Mercs too. Quiet, reliable, and very smooth are their great attributes. But they are harder on fuel, or at least they were two summers ago when we did a little real world test down to the French River and back. We argue back and forth in our shop about this same subject. Some guys are die hard Merc fans and others the 'Rudes. I was raised on Johnson's so old habits can die hard.

I like mine. It has been a great engine. And it's better on fuel than the Honda was, plus 45 more horsepower. And Paul....No way the Verado is better on fuel. The Verado is a great engine though. Just big. Sorry to disagree but I speak the truth on this one.

If you can't find a rewind, let me know. I think there should be a few of those kicking around somewhere. Might even have some mounts for that hood. You may need to wait until the snow is gone though as many of them are presently buried with it.

When my dad was a kid in school he took his gun and hunted on the way home. Try that now.

Got to agree the registry is a colossal waste of time and money. Criminals that want guns can get them easily unregistered. Handguns have long been required to be registered. Long guns used for sport are used just for that purpose. In non urban areas a larger percentage of people have guns than not. I also have police friends and around here they tell me that they always treat every situation as if there are firearms there anyway. There is no way to know for sure is there? So it's mostly baloney what you are hearing. All the money wasted could have been used for more policing, or healthcare, bet more lives would have been saved doing that.

Welcome to the territory Arty. Ben asked me the same question a couple years ago when he passed through. The guys have given you some good advise so far. I fish the other side of the Nipissing pond but rarely in the winter. Only when a few rowdys drag me out for a weekend.

Great old engines. Lots of good advise given so far. I would look at the lower unit parts and the water pump before spending a lot of time and money on it first. No point in getting it running if the lower unit is bad. End up being more than what it is worth.

Fish Bay on Nipissing had 3 or 4 inches this morning, less where the snow was drifted.

It is quite rare for your situation with the failed water pump to take place. The reason they do not warrant them is because of the situations previously described. Running them dry is the most common problem, sand and debris will also accelerate wear. Auto manufacturers normally do not warrant wear items such as tires, brakes and clutches for very long after purchasing.

Now you are raising the bar a notch Chris. I would be happy for you to come and try it out next summer.

I'm going to hide a nitrous-oxide kit under the seat for those acceleration runs.

I haven't been out or talked to anyone on the lake for a couple of days so I don't know the ice status. A friend on the lake recently bought an enclosed cab airboat, wants me to put a block heater in it. I'm looking forward to a ride in that one.

Brrrr. Boating and below freezing temps = frozen body parts. If it keeps up another week or two and the sleds will be on the lake up here.

Dunner, the most common parts for those engines are still available. Your local marine supplier should be able to get you most of those parts. If you can't find them let me know, I can get them for you and we have several of those 9.5 in the derelict pile for parts. Sinker, yes those seats will have to go. This project is being done in the memory of my Grandfather who was still around in 1949, he passed away in 1950. Never met him but the stories that I have been told I sure wish I had.

That is the plan Roy. I also am in the process of restoring a 16 ft cedar from around 1948- 1952. I had it in the water this past fall. It's in the shop drying out now.

Thanks guys. I would prefer a late 50's engine as they are probably some of the best little outboards ever made, but I am going to try to get this one tip-top.