1974 24' Chieftan Express project

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project



I've been working on getting the new engine out and winterized before leaving for deer hunting. I noticed 2 small spigots, one on the rear lower side of tbe exhaust manifolds. The pic is of the port side, it can be seen on the lower right corner. A pinkish fluid came out... did not smell like normal antifreeze but looked like it. Are these the only 2 plugs to drain the exhaust for winterizing?

 

[64osby]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Pink would be RV antifreeze. Can't say much more than that 'cause I'm an O/B type.

Have a great time at deer camp. Knock 'em dead.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Head over to the IO forum and do a little reading eh. Some good info should pop right up for ya. I'm not positive on that vintage but I'm thinking you have a couple more on the lower manifold, few hoses too maybe....

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

It's been forever since I posted anything, but I finally got a small milestone done. I finished pulling the last bit of the drive train off poor Slam the donor. The transom assembly was a major pain so I had to resort to the Stubborn Part Removal Technique... aka a chain saw. But now I only have to take the swim platform off and Slam is ready for her final voyage to the dump! I know it's a small deal to y'all who make I/O removal look easy, but it took me about 25 hrs total time so far... I'm quite a newbie to I/O's!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Great news, congrats!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

I thought you froze dood, glad yur back!:snowman:

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Hey....welcome back. Was it an extended deer season? Successful?

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Yes, got 2 does and a 4 point. I was gone for a couple weeks, then the holidays. I spend an hour here and and hour there but it sure was a pain disconnecting the seemingly dozens of cables. I don't know if it will all go back together right, but now I can get the scrap boat out of the yard and move on to taking the engine out of the SC!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Good to see you back Chief and able to work on the SC again. Don't forget we will need some pictures of the demise of SLAM.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

I see you took some pointers from Jason for IO removal. I think Thumper's power section was removed in a similar manner. Two does and a buck - Good eats.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project


This is as she sits now, I'm going to remove the swim platform and aluminum rub rail before scrapping her.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

She looks ready for an OMC Stringer set up now, Chief. :laugh:

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project



And this is just after I got the engine and shift out. That mid engine placement made the task much harder

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

View attachment 222253

And this is just after I got the engine and shift out. That mid engine placement made the task much harder

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

That mid engine placement made the task much harder

Wha?? No kidden, I didn't know you were working on that kind of driveline. So what the heck do you do with that!?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

When I saw that driveshaft hangin' off the end of Chief's motor, my Google fingers tingled. I have never seen such a contraption. Until now! Merc offers a jackshaft kit that puts a driveshaft between the motor and transom plate, along with some hardware. The motor ends up as a mid-engine. I think it's for larger boats where the motor is under the deck. Might be a nice re-power option for a Marinette. BTW - It costs around 4 grand for the kit. Might be worth some $$$ to you, Chief.

Here's a diagram of the whole thing - http://www.*****************/parts/...o/0m300000-thru-0m614999/jackshaft-components

Well that was blocked, how about this, installation drawings from M/C. http://www.mercurymarine.com/media/mercury/drawings/864695A-1.pdf

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Wha?? No kidden, I didn't know you were working on that kind of driveline. So what the heck do you do with that!?

I cut the exhaust tube since I could not get them off. Then disconnected that 5' shift from the rear since I could not get at it in the front. There were tons of wires running everywhere too. Then I had to cut the two main seats out for enough room for the engine to come out. It was a bit tricky lifting with all the weight of the shift hanging off one side!

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

View attachment 222250
This is as she sits now, I'm going to remove the swim platform and aluminum rub rail before scrapping her.

What are you going to do with the swim platform?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Trim tabs? perhaps a few other odds & ends. But if it's gotta go, it's gotta go.....

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Craig, my plan is to fit it to my Chief after the re power and new transom are complete.

JB, I'm not sure if the trim tabs even work... not sure they are worth bothering with. But if they come off readily I'll keep them. I'm just getting stoked to see the glasser gone and to start prepping the trailer for a paint job. Im thinking it will look nice under the Chief!