1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

[ShellBack89]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Glad to hear the good news about your dad! Hope he'll be ready for some fun on the CC soon! Here is a pic of what I bought on Ebay. Looks like the controller is the same but I'm not sure about the lights. Looking at your picture, I'm assuming I just clip the black connection off, strip down the wires and then run them into the controller and then hook up to the house batter with an inline fuse or a fuse block. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I know less about wiring as a I do rebuilding a boat and I don't know anything about rebuilding a boat :facepalm:

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Glad to hear about your father, and good to see you making more boat/trailer progress!

Thanks man, I'm hoping to maybe have the boat in the water next week.

Glad to hear the good news about your dad! Hope he'll be ready for some fun on the CC soon! Here is a pic of what I bought on Ebay. Looks like the controller is the same but I'm not sure about the lights. Looking at your picture, I'm assuming I just clip the black connection off, strip down the wires and then run them into the controller and then hook up to the house batter with an inline fuse or a fuse block. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I know less about wiring as a I do rebuilding a boat and I don't know anything about rebuilding a boat :facepalm:

Thanks man.

Haven't seen that type of clip before, looks like you have one on either end. Probably for running more than one strip in series.

But you have it right, As far as the end going into the controller, you are correct, just clip the end off, strip back a little and install the color coded wires in there right place on the controller. The black wire will go where it is marked V+. Your positive wire will come from the battery to the controller with a inline fuse or inline fuse block. I ran a seperate fuse block so it was easy to see and all my lights and electronics run to that fuse block. You will need a ground wire also from battery. I ran a ground strip also to make things easy.

That green top of the control box is removable just by pulling on it. May make your install easier when wiring up. Looks liike you bought the resin incased lights, they are great for water proof but be careful not to crimp the lights by bending or something, it can cause a break in the copper strip in there. I've had this issue with on of the strips and am getting a replacement. Good luck.

These are very easy to install, so don't get intimidated, I'm no electrician either, but 12 volt systems are fairly easy to work with.

 

[BSnB]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Outstanding news about your Dad, CC! Our prayers continue for a speedy recovery.

Sweet trailer jack!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Outstanding news about your Dad, CC! Our prayers continue for a speedy recovery.

Sweet trailer jack!

Thanks man, went and saw dad tonight, he is recovering well, but is fighting a fungus though. There hoping to pull the drainage tube tomarrow from his lung. The black spot ended up being black mold on his lung. They seem to think some of what he has been battling all along was from this. for those that don't know, pretty normal, we breath some mold in the air everyday.

On another note the trailer jack is just awesome, should have done that 3 years ago.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Ok, so I pulled the outdrive today. I had to pull it because there was a plug that I pulled off when winterizing that I wasn't suppose to remove. It supposedly had a clip on the back of it that I need to remove the outdrive to get to and put the plug back on.

Well, I said supposedly because when I removed the outdrive, the water jacket that had the plug in the side had nothing in it, no clip!!!! Now what?

Here is a pic of the outdrive gimbal assembly, I think everything looks good.

Here is the hole the clip should have been sitting in!

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

congrats on pop again , hope they pull the tube today, how is he feeling?

as far as the drive goes, post a pic of the screw you removed, in relation to the hole as well. that clip could be down in there deep( just pick up the boat and shake it), it'll fall right out,,lol. is that the water intake?
seriously though i thought you loosend the screw in the lower unit gears. i didn't realize it was up there. if it's deep in that hole try a coathanger with a wad of duct tape secured on a hook in the end so it doesnt come off in there:facepalm:
before you tear deeper into the gimbal make sure you have the right hole,lol.
did you run water and the boat after the said clip was loosened? if so you mayby playing a little wheres waldo trying to find it.if it was ran it could be in the power steering cooler, lots gets stuck there. or even at the thermostat. i hope you find it without tearing into too much.
lots of luck

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Hey Budd,
Since our last conversation, I have been dong pretty much nothing but working and sleeping and very little of the second one... ugh

This is the first I have looked in on this thread for some time.... WOW sounds like you've been through quite a roller coaster ride lately. I'm sooo relieved to hear of the positive outcome.

The deck and boat are both coming along very nicely and that jack is awesome... I had the exact same model on my carver... It's STRONG as heck.

I still haven't dealt with my computer issues so I have a REAL hard time loading the pages of this thread that are picture heavy.... As such I have skipped quite a bit of it.... Have you ever run the engine since the sound deadening project?

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

congrats on pop again , hope they pull the tube today, how is he feeling?

as far as the drive goes, post a pic of the screw you removed, in relation to the hole as well. that clip could be down in there deep( just pick up the boat and shake it), it'll fall right out,,lol. is that the water intake?
seriously though i thought you loosend the screw in the lower unit gears. i didn't realize it was up there. if it's deep in that hole try a coathanger with a wad of duct tape secured on a hook in the end so it doesnt come off in there:facepalm:
before you tear deeper into the gimbal make sure you have the right hole,lol.
did you run water and the boat after the said clip was loosened? if so you mayby playing a little wheres waldo trying to find it.if it was ran it could be in the power steering cooler, lots gets stuck there. or even at the thermostat. i hope you find it without tearing into too much.
lots of luck

Hey man, here is a link to the thread with pictures. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=523194

I am at this point going to guess there was no clip on the backside of this plug, and if there was, it is stuck in there somewhere. Not sure what the ramifications are of that, but the plug will get underwater jb weld so it can never be removed again, screw the clip on the backside.

I said in the other thread, this should be a sticky for all the other cobra owners out there. This has been done by many in the past here, and evryone after the fact, goes o'no you didn't remove that one did you,like I was suppose to know or something. anyway, just venting and very frustrated, I have tossed this outdrive around like 50 times trying to get something to come out, nothing!!!! Last ditch effort was high pressure water to flush out,nothing. Pretty clean in there now though.

Anyway, I do think I am just going to reinstall the outdrive, jb weld the plug if I can find where I put that and hope for the best. It is very possible that someone did this before and there was no clip on it to begin with. Or maybe the clip had corroded off,or maybe it is just stuck in there and I will have to buy a ssie outdrive conversion someday. Who knows

Hey Budd,
Since our last conversation, I have been dong pretty much nothing but working and sleeping and very little of the second one... ugh

This is the first I have looked in on this thread for some time.... WOW sounds like you've been through quite a roller coaster ride lately. I'm sooo relieved to hear of the positive outcome.

The deck and boat are both coming along very nicely and that jack is awesome... I had the exact same model on my carver... It's STRONG as heck.

I still haven't dealt with my computer issues so I have a REAL hard time loading the pages of this thread that are picture heavy.... As such I have skipped quite a bit of it.... Have you ever run the engine since the sound deadening project?

Good to here from you smoke, yeah been a rough go here lately on all fronts, but were gonna whip it no matter what.

Glad the project is keeping you busy, but get some sleep so you don't get burned out.

The boat hasn't been dropped in the water yet for the above reasons. But hope by thunder. We shall see. The water is sweet here right now with no real substantial rain before next weekend so I hope to be out there. Should be a good year for thunder. You know how that can change. worse case I will be here working on the boat next weekend.

Anyone know what a little aluminum clip can do to the outdrive if its still down in the water jackets? There very thin clips. I'm guessing if it got into any gears they would chew it up pretty easy, but I'm no mechanic.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Actually had a pretty productive day. I installed the outdrive. pitb but its on there. Cleaned up all the transducers and the rear stern gunwale storage boxes. Also installed some 1 hour silcone to the thru-hull fitting that the transducer wires/cables were run through. Now when I am beached and a wave hits the stern, water won't go through the fitting into the engine compartment

Cleaned up alot of the boat today, cleaned all the dust from the interior ripout and sanding under the helm where I failed to cover the wiring. That was a job but it is all cleaned up and the rgb wires and some misc wiring is cleanly ziptied together and routed where I want it. Reinstalled all the stuff I had removed for wiring, the side gunwale rod boxes, the plano storage under the helm chair and then cleaned the helicopter seed that had filled the boat from the tree next door. I swear I'm gonna lay that tree on its side when no one is looking.

Also got the starbright deck/hull cleaners out and scrubbed the decks. It amazes me how well this boat cleans up every year.

I ordered a FX-16 Fortress anchor today. Got a really good deal on it from a individual on ebay. Noone else bid so I got it for his lowest starting bid.

These anchors have mixed reveiws but have the strongest holding power per its size over any anchor on the market.

Also have worked out a resolution with the company that sent me that last strip light. new one should be on the way soon. I will splice the one that is there for next weekend I guess.

Anyway, things are moving along. Hope everything goes smooth when dropped in the water this year.

Dad had the tube removed and may be going home tomarrow.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Just repeating myself here, but best of luck and lots of fun on the upcoming wet day...

Even better...Great news on Dad! God Bless!

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

ok did a little hunting. if you cant find the flat retainer plate, others have used a bilge plug, check the link
http://www.marineengine.com/boat-fo...p-with-a-screw-on-an-OMC-engine-Have-pictures
sounds like you should really trace that water passage to find the retainer. it could get wedged and cause further issues. if it was tight when you took it off it should be close
hope it helps.

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

wahoo another step for pop, sweet. positive steps Budd! heck in 2 weeks he can be right beside you for all the fun.

you are rip roaring along now. wireing and all sweet, dont forget the business cards you'll need them.
not sure if you jb welded that plug yet but the bilge plug seems like a quick answer
best of luck, we are all rooting for ya

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

not sure you can see it but thats the offending clip

came from here
http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?171317-Milky-oil-in-out-drive

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Ding ding ding!!!! LIGHTBULB!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

not sure you can see it but thats the offending clip

came from here
http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?171317-Milky-oil-in-out-drive

LITTLE BUGGY

I owe you BIG TIME!!! Seriously thankyou soooooooo very much!!

Now the story. I use to have a jeep cj-7 that I restored from the ground up. Part of that restoration was getting these backing plates that held on the hardtop when I finally got one. They installed under the lip of the rail on the jeep to hold the nut that came fromt he top side of the top when sitting on the jeep.

Wow, now whats that got to do with today. I told you I had shock this outdrive every which way but loose trying to get a clip out of her. Well, by the pics you posted, a lightbulb just went off.

My freind cameover today to help me put the drive back on. Needed an extra set of hands. we battled witht he outdrive for atleast a half hour, then it slid in like butter.

We were both sweating are arses off because it was like 80 degrees. anyway, we high five, then he heads to his house to get some beers. when he comes back we celibrate with a cold one, note, I have not drank a beer in about 2 years. Anyway, while were sitting there bullshihting, he reaches down and grabs this small plate with a hole in the middle of it. He asks me where he can get some of those for his jeep, I said you can order them online.

Didn't even occur to me that this could be the retainer for the plug. I thought at the time,man, thats weird, I haven't had that old jeep for almost two years and parts just keep showing up on my driveway.

LIGHTBULB!!!!!!


When you posted those pics, I was about to type, man, that thing looks thick like a plate, and wham it hit me. That thing must have flown out of the outdrive when I first removed it and set it down on the drive standing up. By the time I got around to have a looksy, it was already gone.


Again, thanks soooooooo vvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrryyyyyyyy much!! Now I can rest assured that that thing is not in there to screw something up. Holy crud, what a day!! If you were here right now I would kiss ya!!! lmao

 

[sam60]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

I have not drank a beer in about 2 years.

That was the real problem, so how easy it was once you did...

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Budd,
youre welcome.
glad i could help ya out.
did you jb that sucker in allready or is it round 2 with drive removal? lol
from what they say it's a real pita to get that sucker back on. just make sure either way that that sucker is in good, if it falls out your engine will not cool down.

nooooooooo kisses here!

but make sure you post tons of pics from thunder

and i bet the beer tasted great
cheers

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Budd,
youre welcome.
glad i could help ya out.
did you jb that sucker in allready or is it round 2 with drive removal? lol
from what they say it's a real pita to get that sucker back on. just make sure either way that that sucker is in good, if it falls out your engine will not cool down.


nooooooooo kisses here!

but make sure you post tons of pics from thunder

and i bet the beer tasted great
cheers

Here is the culprit! You can see that calling it a retainer clip to me just isn't correct terminology. It should be called a threaded backing plate or a nut because it is threaded. It is identical to the backing plates that hold down a hardtop to the body of an old jeep.

It is thick, like 1/4 inch

I think for this weekend, I will just use a drain plug and then when I have time, pull the drive back off and reinstall this sucker. Or i may just jb weld the damn thing so this never happens again to me or another owner. Though, i do see a ssei conversion in my future. would really like to have a duo prop but not sure thats possible. .

I have also been advised that I should always use an alignment tool when installing the drive, so hopefully nothing bites me in the azz this weekend.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Got closer with the teak today, I had to strip all the varnish back off the trim. It had to come off because I was not happy with the color of the teak. It was just simply to light of a color and matched non of the other teak. really weird actually. i am thinking maybe it wasn't even teak, but who knows.

Anyway, removed the varnish with and random orbital, then painstakingly sanded off the top edge by hand. Then applied a honey mahogany stain. i think the color looks perfect to match the gunnel pads and the bow pulpit.

Still needs lots of varnish, this is just stained.

You can see here, the color should match really well especially after varnish goes on.

Notice how ugly the teak around the doors in this pic looks, still needs to be sanded down and varnished. Hopefully start that tomarrow. I may be varnishing while watching fireworks come saturday,lol

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Also installed the transducers trim tabs and under water light on the strboard side transom. They grey spots you see around these items are old screw holes that previous owners filled with grey marine tex or epoxy. They will be redone at a later date to match the hull color. Sanding of the bottom paint revealed a few surprises like this, but atleast they are sound and water proof.

Led under water light was cleaned with bar keepers, works great on this type stuff. Transducers also. All screw beaded in 5200, holes completely filled with 5200 then screwed.

Here is the thruhull filled with 1 hour silocone around the cables going through. going to fill tell its even and water tight.

Here is the pic of the cleaned up wiring and rgb controllers installed.

And after foot rest was reinstalled the eyes for the controllers just stuck out above the insert.