The preserving factor for the inside of the engine was the lack of oxygen. The mud, oil, and seals, prevented new oxygen from being introduced into the system, once any existing oxygen was used up, the engine was essentially mummified. Great Job guys, Love the brotherhood, and adventurous spirit. much respect for the can do attitude! ❤💯
100%, plus a bit of sacrificial corrosion from some of the external components protecting the rest of the engine. Worst thing for a flooded engine is letting it sit once removed from the water.
Also not only that but the water moving around the outside of the motor helps to peel off loose rust allowing the rust to penatrate deeper but the water in the motor sat against the cylinder walls statically which preserves the steel. Leave clean metal in a cup of fresh water and seal it with a lid and put it on a shelf and it will come out new as the day you put it in there
Totally agree and hope Merlin and the Fab Rats guys do it and make viss of it and then the motor in a boat or car and why not refurbish the boat it was in and run it on a lake again.
Honestly, i want to see it rebuilt, but not super pretty. I also kinda hope they just gelcoat over some of the patina on the hull. I would love to see it all stay together, boat and motor, but still look the part of the "Yellow Submarine"
Ok. Hold up everybody. My name is Rich. I used to work for a man named Mel at 68 Auto in Golden Valley Arizona. I rebuilt that engine in 1989. I recognize the boat. The paint on both sides of the head gaskets is Krylon Dull Aluminum. If I remember correctly, that distributor is a Mallory dual point unit converted to single. If you pull that oil pan, you'll find that a mig welder was used to add weight to two counterbalances. No load, no structure. It worked. Everything else is kind of fuzzy. That 460 would turn 7000 rpm! Definitely needed more impeller.
@@Bryanja81 Hate to say it. Pennzoil straight 40 wt. I don't like Pennzoil, but the owner was adamant about using it. There is a possibility it's not the same boat. Many similarities lead me to believe it is. An oil additive was also used. Morey's engine oil stabilizer. I believe the same as Lucas. After some quick research, it appears Morey's is a product native to New Zealand. Today I learned! Second edit Also, by owner was adamant, I was referring to shop owner Mel.
There is nothing more satisfying than being with your mates ( brothers ) in the back yard doing mechanical repairs , all chipping in , having fun and getting it done . Good one guys . This one was so good I had to watch it twice .
I had my doubts but very impressed to see it going You have inspired me to pull out a 351 v8 engine I have had in the shed for years and get it started
I've built a couple small block GM motors, and remember how careful we thought we had to be with cleanliness & precision, so I'm flabbergasted! Watching this is the most fun I've had in weeks. Thanks.
I have built my ford engines in the not so cleanest of places, and they all run like a top. Just a regular dirty shop, and no issues. Just run the engine a few hundred miles and drain the oil. Hence, why i will only mess with ford engines.
Merlin is crackin' me up! I always learned that you had to keep the "deck height" within a certain range of "flat." Here's Merlin wailin' away with his 60 grit Milwaukee grinder taking off whatever will come loose. Rounded corners abound and he don't care!! 🤣👍 That scene around the engine when they're ready to try firing it up... that's a real live "Redneck Operating Room... wrenches and all!!" 👍👍
Two things, oxygen and galvanic protection. The inside filled up with water, some stuff corroded a little bit but once the oxygen is used it can't rust any more unless that water is replaced, hence the ones where the valves were open would be worse and where there's no water flowing it will be fine. You also have aluminium components on there that will act as a sacrificial anode, also helping protect the steel.
This^^. The other comments saying that there's no oxygen at 120 feet are wrong. Water is one hydrogen atom and two oxygen atoms.... Just look at the rust on the outside of the engine. If there had been no oxygen at all there would have been no oxidation. The dissolved oxygen content in the water around the engine probably got depleted due to the lack of turbidity (there was little water movement to replace the depleted oxygen rich water surrounding the engine). Couple the lack of turbidity with the decaying organic matter that sinks to the lake bottom and you have your answer.... But there's definitely o2 in H2O at 120 feet (pressure doubles every 33 feet but that has zero effect on o2). I've seen plenty of living fish at 120 ft depth while diving.
@@sharplessguy Reckon you meant two hydrogen, one oxygen. In any case, that oxygen isn't available for the metal to react with. It's the oxygen dissolved into the water that's needed. However, once depleted that's it until the water is replaced. On the inside with no water flow, no more rust.
@@somebodyelse836 There's really no water flow in the combustion chambers. So once that water and the aluminum/steel had balanced and used up all the O2 in that small amount of surface rust it was just preserving the pistons in O2 free water.
Sorry Daniel the oxidation is caused by free oxygen in the water NOT by the oxygen in the water molecules. H²O is a strong ionic bond that isn't broken by Iron (Fe is much lower in the reactivity series than Hydrogen) Water its self doesn't corroded Oxygen does. No dissolved Oxygen no corrosion
First, a BIG congrats on "sparking" the life back into a truly deserving engine. As a machinist who plays with mechanical devices, I was just as amazed you folks. I think a big part of the survivor status of the engine is the high nickel content of the castings. Marine components are (were) built to a higher standard. Plus a lot of luck with the oil coating the parts as it initially sank in 100' of water. That motor deserves a rebuild so it can stay with the boat. It EARNED it.
I'll second that. I know you don't like Fords, Paul, but I think you should rebuild this one. I want to go for a ride in your boat when I finally get down to see you. By the way I'm a Ford lover after Willis Jeeps.
Paul, I imagine you were thinking a different engine would go back in this boat. After the minimal effort it took to get this engine to run, and what a surprise it was, this engine deserves a blue print rebuild and reinstalled in the "yellow submarine".
I'm truly amazed by the conditions of everything in that boat, even the upholstery is still good, truly incredible! Every piece earned itself the right of being reconditioned and put back in place. This boat did not want to die! 🖤🏴☠️
This has been the most satisfying video I have watched in a long time. A bunch of good old boys doing good old boy things!!! Now tear that motor down rebuild it and let's see it in the boat. That motor has got to go back in. Good job guys.
Wow that's a well built motor the fact that everything sealed up for 30 years & it runs quite well is mind blowing 🤯 if Merlin, Paul & Ben can't get an engine running even an old Ford then she's dead I'm flabbergasted this belongs in the Smithsonian of engine revival great video thank's for sharing ❤😉👍
See miracles happen & I knew you guys could do it . I never thought it would sound & run that good . Pure amazement. Hunter don’t under estimate these guys you work with, they are the best of the best.
Dave I agree with you Sir these gentlemen are the best of the best. I have watched Merlin on TV for ever and then to find Paul @TheFabRats and now Ben too. Then to find out they're related it all comes full circle.
I am shocked! I presumed that all of the oil passages would be clogged with whatever is on the bottom of Lake Powell. What a powerful testament to the power of family. I appreciate the way you guys engage with each other. I can see you playing touch football together as young ins.
I'm thinking it would have been more like Paul's kids and "look we found an old skanky free riding mower so lets make a race car or off roader out of it" and then mayhem commenced
Well I can hardly believe it! Excellent episode! I have been tinkering with motors for over 40 years, doing rebuilds modifications and all. Several practices had me cringing and I would never do them but I bow to the masters. They did what I thought was impossible with techniques I would never consider using but like they said it's only metal! And they have the skills to fix anything they break so whack away! I'll be waiting for the next episode!
It's amazing and a miracle that the old engine started after being under the lake for 30 years! Merlin, Paul, Ben and Jimmy got it taken apart steam cleaned fired up simply awesome! Hunter did a good job with the camera on the video!
Several comments covered the reasons the interior of the engine was ok. Watertight, oiled, sealed, cold water outside etc. My bet was it's gonna run. Nice work guys.
I pulled copper and iron from an arctic shipwreck in Alaska that was more than 150 years old. The Orca project, which consisted of myself and 3 other regular working guys from Barrow. The metals were still in relatively good condition. The Orca was a whaling ship from the mid 1800s. Fascinating stuff. Theory is the water temps combined with the reduced oxidation rates from water vs air exposure literally 'pickle' things.
I was starting to doubt this until Paul pointed at the front pulley. This is unbelievable but super interesting. Really glad to have found your channel. I appreciate you guys
If someone told me this story without seeing the proof I would have never believed it. That was incredible what you guys accomplished. How did the internal parts survive being underwater and in that environment for 30 years??? I will be following this project as you bring that boat back to life. Great work by all of you!!!
All you men foolin' around with that motor worked hard for the surprise ending. It actually runs! It was so much fun watching ya'll work together. I laughed a lot.
I have spent my entire life around engines and this is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I wish I could see more boat engines recovered and torn into.
This boat adventure is some of the best content I’ve seen on this channel or Fab Rats. If you have a chance to do more crossover episodes with Fab Rats you should.
I have been a carpenter for 54 years and always turned the mechanicals to mechanics. It has always been a mystery to me. I was always so happy to have magicians like you al look after my mechines.
Thermal cycling can drive corrosion, the boat and motor were below the thermocline of the lake until a couple years ago, colder dark water helps to preserve. The differences in the atom binding energies within a metal provide the driving potential for corrosion. Ion concentration gradients in the electrolyte can also provide a potential, maybe the lake was helping save the boat for Paul to find. As Merlin said, the 8 quarts of engine oil is trapped and will float up helping to protect the internals. Really cool video, that engine just wants to live!
@@gordonrichardson2972 Yup, all corrosion is electrical in nature and keeping the energies low (no moving water) can help reduce the conversion. Rust never sleeps!
If i hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it. Outstanding crew, you guys rock. At this point I’d say it deserves the gold nugget treatment and maybe reunite with the last owner.
I am a retired master mechanic and restorer who has been into cars literally since I was a toddler. I believe it's condition has to do with the water because the lake is mountain stream fed. The water is very pure. That, I think is why there wasn't much corrosion. There was a catalytic action between the steel butterflies and the aluminum baseplate which sealed the motor. It is still amazing to see regardless. My nickname is Rusty (originally cuz of red hair - now bald).
That is. Sweet seeing the family . together. Fixing a mind boggling out come. Again sweet I said sweet. Paul back in 73 in Daytona. And it still is the word. Keep it up. All of you. Thank you all.
The silver mines in my area flood the mine shafts with water machines and all until need later down the road. Cold dark fresh water preserves the machines better than leaving them dry.
Great 👍 content and great advice on mechanical issues Found you though your cousin Paul at Fab Rat's Enjoy both of your videos and now a Subscriber to your channel!
Gentlemen congratulations for your very entertaining video.....good to see that great team work.....with a mission. Also, thanks for sharing mechanical knowledge and stories. Keep on.
If you talk to the manufacturer about this they may pay for a complete rebuild for the advertising about the dependability! Might give it a try! This is AWESOME!
The odds were small enough that the engine was still free, and you actually got it to run, but the fact that it did not seize or blow when it buzzed immediately to @ 4000, is absolutely mind-boggling! Lady Luck was smiling with you but don't push your luck!
I am a military trained mechanic , 75 years old , the only thing I can think of is the motor had fresh oil in it and was not running at the time the boat sank . And sometimes Old School works .
There's a junk yard in Erie, CO that stores engines in a shallow pond of water about 3' deep. Where there's no oxygen, there's no rust -- so long as the engines have a light coat of oil or grease, they stay rust-free. A few years ago a similar thing was reported when logs that sunk in a storm 100+ years ago and sat on the bottom of Lake Michigan were hauled to the surface by a salvage team who found them perfectly preserved!
I agree the oil floated and coated the top end and kept everything from corroding. BUT the even larger factor might have been the lack of Oxygen at that depth but since we can see the external rust that must not be true. So the Oxygen was very low in the internal part of the engine because it was all used up by the minor rusting inside and the water was stagnant therefore not producing more Oxygen from Oxygen rich Water. It must be in the presence of Oxygen molecules (dissolved Oxygen) to Rust. As mentioned the mud may have sealed it,
New to channel from following Paul’s channel. Makes me really wonder what was in the Lake Powell Water? Great job….No one would believe this story unless they watched it…. Great Video.
I’m so glad you guys took on this boat when it first surfaced I saw it in a video on immediately, commented on the video saying on this weeks episode of Will it run lol
My guess about it not rusting is that an engine is with it's various compartments, oil pan, cylinders etc would stay relatively free from flowing water depending on how it settled on the bottom. Upside-down would be ideal coupled with the other side of the equation being that it's coated with oil,and at that depth the cold temperatures close to freezing in the low 40's I'd imagine, the oil coating would be thick as molasses going absolutely no where preserving it from oxidation/scale and pitting. That motor must be rebuilt with GM parts😁. Absolutely awesome you guys are the right amount of frugal to rescue that motor from the bottom. I .issued the story of what happened, and how you guys wound up with it. Twas a joy to hear that old ho purr. Has me in the mood to start my day adding my new light set to my Yukon SLT 5.3 that's purring like a kitten might I add,and about to crest the 300k mark. I'm gonna drive that one till it won't no more. Enjoyed the the video,and commitment y'all have. Especially enjoyed the side grinde machinist at work resurfacing those headz😂 keep up the good works as well as the videos coming🖖I'm subscribed
The only thing that I can think of is the lack of oxygen inside the motor at the bottom of the lake. The engine is sealed so to speak, water pressure @ 150ft. held a positive pressure internally, like a balloon it kept water out, there was oil in the engine. Gotta have o2 for corrosion, H2o was all around the motor, that caused corrosion. " I don't know - maybe"??? That was the most fun I've watch! I guy had to watched that twice! Thanks Fella's
You have a strange understanding of physics. The inside of that engine is completely open to water through the vents and the intake and exhaust. You're right about the lack of o2 inside the engine. Once the dissolved air in the water in the engine ran out, the rusting stopped.
I have to agree with the other mechanics leaving messages in here. I'm an agricultural diesel mechanic been doing it for a long time and I have to say that I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it. Can't believe nuts, bolts, covers and other stuff coming apart so damn easily. Crazy. I know what it takes to take apart stuff that's had moisture on it for a few years, but 30 years underwater?
@@jackboyer9010 I'm not a fan boy, but my f150s have never let me down and for the most part are simple to wrench on. Never had one newer than 2000 though. My favorite cars have been a 72 Dart with the slant 6 and a 99 Cavalier with the 2.2. Growing up in a household of a steel miner in the 80s keeps me from looking too hard at vehicles not made in North America. With the recent declines in quality of Japanese cars (JATCO Transmissions, new cars burning oil) the cost benefit analysis doesn't work out for me. I drive old beaters and the prices of used Toyota and Honda cars are way more than I want to shell out. They were definitely reliable though.
The oil floated as it filled with water providing a protective coating. Additionally the softer metals (aluminum magnesium) acted as sacrificial anodes to protect the main components. The interior was also protected by the stagnant water as some of the corrosion processes need well oxygenated water to cause damage. The nuclear industry has dealt with these issues in a variety of ways to keep their piping and pumping components healthy and operable!
This ^ ships and locks use the same system to keep the steel from rusting by using a sacrificial anode to rot away first before the steel. I think the Starter would have been the anode in this case. This only works while under water as the system is closed once the water dries up the only corrosion is from the water and air.
This is why I watch TH-cam, not the marketing, not the BS, just good old fashioned fun for the audience and the film makers. PS, let us not forget the talent these gents have.
That's nice and all, but youtubes days are numbered. It was made way before censorship became all encompassing, and has woken way too many of the peasantry.
Well said. I agree It's all devolved into mr beast and TikTok imitation TH-cam would make so much more money if they stayed closer to what they used to be instead of trying to be everything they are not Why do people need to be able to make something like a Facebook post on a video platform? All the biggest creators are (generally) really fake Typically trending is what they are pushing Altering algorithms so you have commercial content as well as advertising on your recommendations And the numerous things like animal abuse videos (just saw one trending recently) and twisted things directed at kids That is still going on I might add Censorship etc
![[TH] FS vs BME - VCT Ascension Pacific - Lower Bracket Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wnygqsR2Fig/mqdefault.jpg)
The preserving factor for the inside of the engine was the lack of oxygen. The mud, oil, and seals, prevented new oxygen from being introduced into the system, once any existing oxygen was used up, the engine was essentially mummified. Great Job guys, Love the brotherhood, and adventurous spirit. much respect for the can do attitude! ❤💯
Fact... all of that.
100%, plus a bit of sacrificial corrosion from some of the external components protecting the rest of the engine. Worst thing for a flooded engine is letting it sit once removed from the water.
Totally agree.
Also not only that but the water moving around the outside of the motor helps to peel off loose rust allowing the rust to penatrate deeper but the water in the motor sat against the cylinder walls statically which preserves the steel. Leave clean metal in a cup of fresh water and seal it with a lid and put it on a shelf and it will come out new as the day you put it in there
Yup. This. Got to have some O2 to corrode.
This engine is a fighter and a survivor. I think it earned a full restoration.
Totally agree and hope Merlin and the Fab Rats guys do it and make viss of it and then the motor in a boat or car and why not refurbish the boat it was in and run it on a lake again.
Amen to that!! And I don’t even LIKE Fords!!
It'd be a crown jewel stuffed into some kind of beat up rat rod.
@@TobbeVijlto I hope they are able to get in contact with the original owners and let them drive it again
Honestly, i want to see it rebuilt, but not super pretty. I also kinda hope they just gelcoat over some of the patina on the hull.
I would love to see it all stay together, boat and motor, but still look the part of the "Yellow Submarine"
Ok. Hold up everybody. My name is Rich. I used to work for a man named Mel at 68 Auto in Golden Valley Arizona. I rebuilt that engine in 1989. I recognize the boat. The paint on both sides of the head gaskets is Krylon Dull Aluminum. If I remember correctly, that distributor is a Mallory dual point unit converted to single. If you pull that oil pan, you'll find that a mig welder was used to add weight to two counterbalances. No load, no structure. It worked. Everything else is kind of fuzzy. That 460 would turn 7000 rpm! Definitely needed more impeller.
Get a hold of merlin!
@FabRats
Quality rebuild my man
What oil did was used in that engine?!
@@Bryanja81 Hate to say it. Pennzoil straight 40 wt. I don't like Pennzoil, but the owner was adamant about using it. There is a possibility it's not the same boat. Many similarities lead me to believe it is. An oil additive was also used. Morey's engine oil stabilizer. I believe the same as Lucas.
After some quick research, it appears Morey's is a product native to New Zealand. Today I learned!
Second edit
Also, by owner was adamant, I was referring to shop owner Mel.
I can thank Pau for leading me to Merlin. Matt led me to Paul, Rory, Rudy, Holly....
Thanks yall
Amazing Deepwater recovery 👏 ❤
This engine must have had very good seals
Yeah the lake had good seals too
Good
Foarte frumos
👍🙂
Good
Love this project and collaboration between Merlins and Fab Rats.
Built Ford tough! Great job guys unbelievable! Congratulations
There is nothing more satisfying than being with your mates ( brothers ) in the back yard doing mechanical repairs , all chipping in , having fun and getting it done . Good one guys .
This one was so good I had to watch it twice .
Merlin.......I've been a mechanic for over 40 years and what you have accomplished is unbelievable. Oh boy thanks for sharing and stay safe 👍
I had my doubts but very impressed to see it going
You have inspired me to pull out a 351 v8 engine I have had in the shed for years and get it started
I've built a couple small block GM motors, and remember how careful we thought we had to be with cleanliness & precision, so I'm flabbergasted! Watching this is the most fun I've had in weeks. Thanks.
well no way those rings escaped without considerable damage. i say it wont last long before atleast burning some major oil.
I have built my ford engines in the not so cleanest of places, and they all run like a top. Just a regular dirty shop, and no issues. Just run the engine a few hundred miles and drain the oil. Hence, why i will only mess with ford engines.
All I can say is whoever put this engine together took their time and did it right, that motor was a labor of love.....
Merlin is crackin' me up! I always learned that you had to keep the "deck height" within a certain range of "flat." Here's Merlin wailin' away with his 60 grit Milwaukee grinder taking off whatever will come loose. Rounded corners abound and he don't care!! 🤣👍
That scene around the engine when they're ready to try firing it up... that's a real live "Redneck Operating Room... wrenches and all!!" 👍👍
The engine builder posted an hour or two ago
Torches, a hammer, a breaker bar, and a pry bar, in the yard. This whole thing reminds me of my childhood.
Two things, oxygen and galvanic protection.
The inside filled up with water, some stuff corroded a little bit but once the oxygen is used it can't rust any more unless that water is replaced, hence the ones where the valves were open would be worse and where there's no water flowing it will be fine.
You also have aluminium components on there that will act as a sacrificial anode, also helping protect the steel.
This^^. The other comments saying that there's no oxygen at 120 feet are wrong. Water is one hydrogen atom and two oxygen atoms.... Just look at the rust on the outside of the engine. If there had been no oxygen at all there would have been no oxidation. The dissolved oxygen content in the water around the engine probably got depleted due to the lack of turbidity (there was little water movement to replace the depleted oxygen rich water surrounding the engine). Couple the lack of turbidity with the decaying organic matter that sinks to the lake bottom and you have your answer.... But there's definitely o2 in H2O at 120 feet (pressure doubles every 33 feet but that has zero effect on o2). I've seen plenty of living fish at 120 ft depth while diving.
@@sharplessguy Reckon you meant two hydrogen, one oxygen.
In any case, that oxygen isn't available for the metal to react with. It's the oxygen dissolved into the water that's needed.
However, once depleted that's it until the water is replaced. On the inside with no water flow, no more rust.
Pistons are aluminum?
@@somebodyelse836 There's really no water flow in the combustion chambers. So once that water and the aluminum/steel had balanced and used up all the O2 in that small amount of surface rust it was just preserving the pistons in O2 free water.
Sorry Daniel the oxidation is caused by free oxygen in the water NOT by the oxygen in the water molecules.
H²O is a strong ionic bond that isn't broken by Iron (Fe is much lower in the reactivity series than Hydrogen)
Water its self doesn't corroded Oxygen does.
No dissolved Oxygen no corrosion
First, a BIG congrats on "sparking" the life back into a truly deserving engine. As a machinist who plays with mechanical devices, I was just as amazed you folks. I think a big part of the survivor status of the engine is the high nickel content of the castings. Marine components are (were) built to a higher standard. Plus a lot of luck with the oil coating the parts as it initially sank in 100' of water.
That motor deserves a rebuild so it can stay with the boat. It EARNED it.
I'll second that. I know you don't like Fords, Paul, but I think you should rebuild this one. I want to go for a ride in your boat when I finally get down to see you. By the way I'm a Ford lover after Willis Jeeps.
th-cam.com/video/lCzm23fgQD4/w-d-xo.html
Such an amazing roar to hear after 30 years! Congratulations!
Giving it away before the ending
I don’t know how the inside is not junk but I agree with Ben It sounds really good. Thank you for refreshing that and making it run.
Paul, I imagine you were thinking a different engine would go back in this boat. After the minimal effort it took to get this engine to run, and what a surprise it was, this engine deserves a blue print rebuild and reinstalled in the "yellow submarine".
This engine must go back in!
FORD ! That’s why ! Full grown Men workin on there knees in the driveway. Seems to never go away ! Great video as always ….
I'm truly amazed by the conditions of everything in that boat, even the upholstery is still good, truly incredible! Every piece earned itself the right of being reconditioned and put back in place. This boat did not want to die! 🖤🏴☠️
Smiles are contagious, and u guys all were smiling ear to ear on this 1. Can't wait to see this rip at the lake.
This has been the most satisfying video I have watched in a long time. A bunch of good old boys doing good old boy things!!! Now tear that motor down rebuild it and let's see it in the boat. That motor has got to go back in. Good job guys.
Wow that's a well built motor the fact that everything sealed up for 30 years & it runs quite well is mind blowing 🤯 if Merlin, Paul & Ben can't get an engine running even an old Ford then she's dead I'm flabbergasted this belongs in the Smithsonian of engine revival great video thank's for sharing ❤😉👍
I thought the same… everything was sealed!!
That is absolutely insane! Had no idea what the inside looked like and you still got it to run. Very impressive. Nice work.
See miracles happen & I knew you guys could do it . I never thought it would sound & run that good . Pure amazement. Hunter don’t under estimate these guys you work with, they are the best of the best.
Dave I agree with you Sir these gentlemen are the best of the best.
I have watched Merlin on TV for ever and then to find Paul @TheFabRats and now Ben too. Then to find out they're related it all comes full circle.
I am shocked! I presumed that all of the oil passages would be clogged with whatever is on the bottom of Lake Powell.
What a powerful testament to the power of family.
I appreciate the way you guys engage with each other. I can see you playing touch football together as young ins.
Touch football? Like some sissies?
It was smear the queer
I'm thinking it would have been more like Paul's kids and "look we found an old skanky free riding mower so lets make a race car or off roader out of it" and then mayhem commenced
@@alexislaisney3404 A game loved by those who deep down fear they ARE queer.
Well I can hardly believe it! Excellent episode! I have been tinkering with motors for over 40 years, doing rebuilds modifications and all. Several practices had me cringing and I would never do them but I bow to the masters. They did what I thought was impossible with techniques I would never consider using but like they said it's only metal! And they have the skills to fix anything they break so whack away! I'll be waiting for the next episode!
It's amazing and a miracle that the old engine started after being under the lake for 30 years! Merlin, Paul, Ben and Jimmy got it taken apart steam cleaned fired up simply awesome! Hunter did a good job with the camera on the video!
I love how much fun everyone is having working on this.
th-cam.com/video/lCzm23fgQD4/w-d-xo.html
Several comments covered the reasons the interior of the engine was ok. Watertight, oiled, sealed, cold water outside etc. My bet was it's gonna run. Nice work guys.
You have to save that engine now, that is truly incredible.
I pulled copper and iron from an arctic shipwreck in Alaska that was more than 150 years old. The Orca project, which consisted of myself and 3 other regular working guys from Barrow. The metals were still in relatively good condition. The Orca was a whaling ship from the mid 1800s. Fascinating stuff. Theory is the water temps combined with the reduced oxidation rates from water vs air exposure literally 'pickle' things.
Not so much pickle as the reduced amount of free oxygen in the water means oxidisation cannot occur.
I bet you have some darn cool stories !!
That was so cool start that thing up. Just the right set of conditions to save that engine.
I was starting to doubt this until Paul pointed at the front pulley. This is unbelievable but super interesting. Really glad to have found your channel. I appreciate you guys
If someone told me this story without seeing the proof I would have never believed it. That was incredible what you guys accomplished. How did the internal parts survive being underwater and in that environment for 30 years??? I will be following this project as you bring that boat back to life. Great work by all of you!!!
Mind blowing. I don’t really even comprehend how it was possible for it to be that decent inside. Cool video, glad we got to see it opened up
All you men foolin' around with that motor worked hard for the surprise ending. It actually runs! It was so much fun watching ya'll work together. I laughed a lot.
I have spent my entire life around engines and this is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I wish I could see more boat engines recovered and torn into.
I'm amazed it fired up. How cool was that. She the boat has been waiting for some one like you to rescue her. Good job
My face is hurting from smiling so hard.🤠 Thanks, that was great! Pre eletronics!
This boat adventure is some of the best content I’ve seen on this channel or Fab Rats. If you have a chance to do more crossover episodes with Fab Rats you should.
I have been a carpenter for 54 years and always turned the mechanicals to mechanics. It has always been a mystery to me. I was always so happy to have magicians like you al look after my mechines.
All I can say is unbelievable. Would love the opportunity to have been there when y'all started that engine. Great job!!!
I never would have thought it would start
She deserves a good rebuild.
Unreal, I'm blown away at how good the inside of that motor was. Cant wait to watch this yellow submarine rebuild.
Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year guys!
That was so cool, I did expect you guys to be able to fire it up but I was just surprised how good it sounded. Great Job you guys.
Awesome video guys. Unbelievable that this would run. Can't wait to see the restoration complete.
Looking good, Subscribed ! Greetings from Durban, South Africa
welcome 🙏
Thermal cycling can drive corrosion, the boat and motor were below the thermocline of the lake until a couple years ago, colder dark water helps to preserve. The differences in the atom binding energies within a metal provide the driving potential for corrosion. Ion concentration gradients in the electrolyte can also provide a potential, maybe the lake was helping save the boat for Paul to find. As Merlin said, the 8 quarts of engine oil is trapped and will float up helping to protect the internals. Really cool video, that engine just wants to live!
Also very little movement in deep water, with little influx of fresh oxygen. A river would be totally different.
@@gordonrichardson2972 Yup, all corrosion is electrical in nature and keeping the energies low (no moving water) can help reduce the conversion. Rust never sleeps!
Great job guys, absolutely unbelievable!!!
I’m totally amazed. Great episode and many thanks for presenting it to us. You’re all experts and are to be congratulated for your success here.
If i hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it. Outstanding crew, you guys rock. At this point I’d say it deserves the gold nugget treatment and maybe reunite with the last owner.
Old Fords never die
That is totally amazing I don't know what to say but I'm glad it runs . That is a crazy crazy story that if it wasn't filmed nobody would believe it
This was awesome. I love seeing all you guys working together. Also I love ole Mater the tow rig. Look forward to more of this. Thanks Merlin.
now, THAT was impressive! Well done!
Been looking forward to this! Keep up the great work!
Cold still water doesn't move oil around much, so everything that had oil on it, stayed that way! Sooo awesome!
That's insane, well done getting it going again!
That is simply insane! How that thing could run after sitting in a lake for so many years!
Its fake
Fascinating. Love this series! A must watch for every jet boat owner that has been to Lake Powell or not. Great job guys!
Great!👍 Text to claim your Xmas Gift 🎁⬆️🎁⬆️
I am a retired master mechanic and restorer who has been into cars literally since I was a toddler. I believe it's condition has to do with the water because the lake is mountain stream fed. The water is very pure. That, I think is why there wasn't much corrosion. There was a catalytic action between the steel butterflies and the aluminum baseplate which sealed the motor. It is still amazing to see regardless. My nickname is Rusty (originally cuz of red hair - now bald).
Mystery solved!
Makes sense, the carb was pot-metal which is rich in Zinc, they make anodes for corrosion protection out of Zinc.
Great Job guy’s unbelievable that 30 years under water and she runs ❤❤❤ MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎄🎄
That story about the forklift is honestly incredible. What a small, small world we live in.
That is. Sweet seeing the family . together. Fixing a mind boggling out come. Again sweet I said sweet. Paul back in 73 in Daytona. And it still is the word. Keep it up. All of you. Thank you all.
Wow, never would have believed this could have happened!!!
The silver mines in my area flood the mine shafts with water machines and all until need later down the road. Cold dark fresh water preserves the machines better than leaving them dry.
Great 👍 content and great advice on mechanical issues
Found you though your cousin Paul at Fab Rat's
Enjoy both of your videos and now a Subscriber to your channel!
Gentlemen congratulations for your very entertaining video.....good to see that great team work.....with a mission. Also, thanks for sharing mechanical knowledge and stories. Keep on.
If you talk to the manufacturer about this they may pay for a complete rebuild for the advertising about the dependability! Might give it a try! This is AWESOME!
I wasn't running when it went down helped a lot. It didn't actively inhale water. that went along way to protecting the interior of that engine.
The odds were small enough that the engine was still free, and you actually got it to run,
but the fact that it did not seize or blow when it buzzed immediately to @ 4000, is absolutely mind-boggling!
Lady Luck was smiling with you but don't push your luck!
That was totally awesome 30 years underwater and it runs wow
Love it all you guys ! I enjoyed the whole story, FROM Junk to Running on Lake Havasu 😊
I love you guys!!! That was freaking wonderful - it sounded great!!! Yahoooooieeeeeeeeee! One of the best "miracle" videos ever.
Great job guys... couldn't help but chuckle every time you guys walked over to that "rolling" tool chest. Lol
Unbelievable. This is incredible.
I am a military trained mechanic , 75 years old , the only thing I can think of is the motor had fresh oil in it and was not running at the time the boat sank . And sometimes Old School works .
Under water for 30 years, safer than being in Paul's derby car for a weekend
WOW!!!!! Great work guys!
This is such an awesome story and video. I'm just amazed it ran.
There's a junk yard in Erie, CO that stores engines in a shallow pond of water about 3' deep. Where there's no oxygen, there's no rust -- so long as the engines have a light coat of oil or grease, they stay rust-free. A few years ago a similar thing was reported when logs that sunk in a storm 100+ years ago and sat on the bottom of Lake Michigan were hauled to the surface by a salvage team who found them perfectly preserved!
The only problem with that is there is dissolved oxygen in pond water - that's how fish breathe.
I agree the oil floated and coated the top end and kept everything from corroding. BUT the even larger factor might have been the lack of Oxygen at that depth but since we can see the external rust that must not be true.
So the Oxygen was very low in the internal part of the engine because it was all used up by the minor rusting inside and the water was stagnant therefore not producing more Oxygen from Oxygen rich Water.
It must be in the presence of Oxygen molecules (dissolved Oxygen) to Rust. As mentioned the mud may have sealed it,
New to channel from following Paul’s channel. Makes me really wonder what was in the Lake Powell Water? Great job….No one would believe this story unless they watched it…. Great Video.
I love the 8 Tape measures
all the more easy to find one my freind😊
I’m so glad you guys took on this boat when it first surfaced I saw it in a video on immediately, commented on the video saying on this weeks episode of Will it run lol
This is impressive. You guys got what should have been junk cranked. Good job.
My guess about it not rusting is that an engine is with it's various compartments, oil pan, cylinders etc would stay relatively free from flowing water depending on how it settled on the bottom. Upside-down would be ideal coupled with the other side of the equation being that it's coated with oil,and at that depth the cold temperatures close to freezing in the low 40's I'd imagine, the oil coating would be thick as molasses going absolutely no where preserving it from oxidation/scale and pitting. That motor must be rebuilt with GM parts😁. Absolutely awesome you guys are the right amount of frugal to rescue that motor from the bottom. I .issued the story of what happened, and how you guys wound up with it. Twas a joy to hear that old ho purr. Has me in the mood to start my day adding my new light set to my Yukon SLT 5.3 that's purring like a kitten might I add,and about to crest the 300k mark. I'm gonna drive that one till it won't no more. Enjoyed the the video,and commitment y'all have. Especially enjoyed the side grinde machinist at work resurfacing those headz😂 keep up the good works as well as the videos coming🖖I'm subscribed
That was totally awesome loved it
The only thing that I can think of is the lack of oxygen inside the motor at the bottom of the lake.
The engine is sealed so to speak, water pressure @ 150ft. held a positive pressure internally, like a balloon
it kept water out, there was oil in the engine. Gotta have o2 for corrosion, H2o was all around the motor, that caused
corrosion. " I don't know - maybe"??? That was the most fun I've watch! I guy had to watched that twice! Thanks Fella's
You have a strange understanding of physics. The inside of that engine is completely open to water through the vents and the intake and exhaust. You're right about the lack of o2 inside the engine. Once the dissolved air in the water in the engine ran out, the rusting stopped.
Just Brilliant Guys , How that Motor was Not Seized Solid I will never know
it's very simple its a Ford if it was a Chevy it would be an anchor
Well Merlin was a magician. Probably the purity of the Colorado river kept it from rusting.
Judging from Merlins tool cart, he has found every tape measure I have ever lost.
I can’t believe it ran!!!!!!!
I have to agree with the other mechanics leaving messages in here. I'm an agricultural diesel mechanic been doing it for a long time and I have to say that I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it. Can't believe nuts, bolts, covers and other stuff coming apart so damn easily. Crazy. I know what it takes to take apart stuff that's had moisture on it for a few years, but 30 years underwater?
I believe being in the lake for 30 Years, she’s worthy of restoration, a full engine rebuild.
Amen
It definitely deserves it, it refuses to die
Hmm, maybe Ford isn't so bad after all! Just saying...😁
@@jackboyer9010 I'm not a fan boy, but my f150s have never let me down and for the most part are simple to wrench on. Never had one newer than 2000 though. My favorite cars have been a 72 Dart with the slant 6 and a 99 Cavalier with the 2.2. Growing up in a household of a steel miner in the 80s keeps me from looking too hard at vehicles not made in North America. With the recent declines in quality of Japanese cars (JATCO Transmissions, new cars burning oil) the cost benefit analysis doesn't work out for me. I drive old beaters and the prices of used Toyota and Honda cars are way more than I want to shell out. They were definitely reliable though.
I wouldn't touch it. Change only what's needed, put it back in and run it.
The oil floated as it filled with water providing a protective coating. Additionally the softer metals (aluminum magnesium) acted as sacrificial anodes to protect the main components. The interior was also protected by the stagnant water as some of the corrosion processes need well oxygenated water to cause damage. The nuclear industry has dealt with these issues in a variety of ways to keep their piping and pumping components healthy and operable!
That's it, what Bill Nye here done said!
I should have read down. I commented something similar.
I agree, sacrificial metals and lack of oxygen. We make those scenarios on water and wastewater plants to keep the good equipment from oxidizing
this may be true, but why only this motor. Any other engine that sits under water for 30 years is gonna be scrap metal. T
This ^ ships and locks use the same system to keep the steel from rusting by using a sacrificial anode to rot away first before the steel. I think the Starter would have been the anode in this case. This only works while under water as the system is closed once the water dries up the only corrosion is from the water and air.
This is why I watch TH-cam, not the marketing, not the BS, just good old fashioned fun for the audience and the film makers. PS, let us not forget the talent these gents have.
100+ plus years of knowledge in 3 men
Because you could
ok
That's nice and all, but youtubes days are numbered. It was made way before censorship became all encompassing, and has woken way too many of the peasantry.
Well said. I agree
It's all devolved into mr beast and TikTok imitation
TH-cam would make so much more money if they stayed closer to what they used to be instead of trying to be everything they are not
Why do people need to be able to make something like a Facebook post on a video platform?
All the biggest creators are (generally) really fake
Typically trending is what they are pushing
Altering algorithms so you have commercial content as well as advertising on your recommendations
And the numerous things like animal abuse videos (just saw one trending recently) and twisted things directed at kids
That is still going on I might add
Censorship etc