73 Sea Ray restoration

[todhunter]

Gotcha - that's a bummer.

 

[GSPLures]

Gotcha - that's a bummer.

Yeah, moving the filler isnt the worst thing in the world. Right now its in a bad spot, not easy to get to from the side or the windshield opening. At least when I move it i will have an easier time filling it up. For now though I have it in and will go through that headache in the off season. I just got used to not being itchy, sticky, and smelling like resin .

 

[Reserector_]

I'm not getting a mental picture of what you're describing, but there must be a way.
I found aluminum elbows from 30 to 120 degrees. Mine has a 120.

 

[GSPLures]

I'm not getting a mental picture of what you're describing, but there must be a way.
I found aluminum elbows from 30 to 120 degrees. Mine has a 120.View attachment 344478

I have a buddy that owns an exhaust shop I am going to have him bend me some up that will work. None of the stores around me had anything outside of 90s and 45s. I am to impatient for ordering anything.

I didnt take any pictures but the filler went lower than the horizontal run almost like a trap for a sink but without the U bend.

 

[GSPLures]

Well I spent the last 2 days playing with the trim pump. Was not getting it to do anything, so I had to rewire the switch. Then was getting power but nothing. I ended up tearing the motor apart and cleaning it out and using some 00 sandpaper to make her all shiney on the inside. Hooked it all back up and she ran great. Well except for the line leaking on the ring. At least that is an easy fix.

For now its back to smoking a pork butt and getting ready to make things go boom.

Happy 4th to all of you. Have a great holiday,

 

[GSPLures]

Not much to update. I had to install a new trim hose manifold on the gimbal to fix the leak. The threads were to far gone to get a good seal. Once that was installed I was good to go, or not. When I ran the pump I saw a steady stream shooting out of the ram, so need a new one of those unfortunately.

Other than that I was fighting the outdrive, the alignment was close enough to let the drive in except the last inch. Unfortunately it would not let it go without a lot of wrestling and a few of my favorite words. I fixed the alignment issue and jacked the back of the boat up to get a better angle and she went right in.

I planned on doing the carpet today but we started getting hammered by storms. So that is tomorrow's fighting match.

And I thought the glassing was the bad part

 

[GSPLures]

I haven't been getting to much done. Im back on overtime at work so im slowly plugging away at some of the stuff after work.

Right now I am working in the interior. I have the carpet glued down and am working on getting the edges all cleaned up and trimmed. I have the port side done, hopefully will have the starboard side done today. I put the trim panels back on the port side and was less than excited they are worn and ugly so I will be making some new ones hopefully this weekend.

I picked up 2 used trim cylinders from a marina yesterday $200 for the pair, sure beats the $600 for new ones. I plan on rebuilding the bad cylinder so I have an extra set.

The outer tube has a crack in it so I am hoping I can take it to the local fab shop and they can tig it once I get it apart and cleaned. If not I found the part for $60.

 

[GSPLures]

I installed the used ram that I got and finally no more leaks! I have some other issues with the controls not working properly that I am trying to sort out I have a thread about that in the mercruiser page.

Other than that I built new panels for the sides. I wanted to get a lot more intricate with the design and gel coat them but I got lazy and just rebuilt a copy of what was already there and put white vinyl on them (the captains choice) it looks good now, until the first fishing trip.

Eventually I am going to redo the dog house and the console that goes under the dash (winter projects) more than likely when I paint the cap white.

 

[GSPLures]

Well I got the shift cables adjusted and the tilt/trim adjusted. Got her fired up with the drive on. Everything seemed to be in working order. Got scared for a minute when I saw drips of water in the bilge, luckily I just forgot to tighten the drain plug on the elbow. Other than that it seemed to shift good, I know on the water will be a different story. She idled nice although a bit high on the rpms according to the manual. They have around 600rpms I was around 1000. I dont think the choke fully opened though so when I go to tune it in right I will run with the flame arrestor off.

The water coming out of the exhaust seemed dirty, hopefully it is excess junk that I didnt get cleaned completely. The boat has not ran that long in probably 7 years minimum. So all in all I will take that as a WIN!

I have next week off so if all goes well I think she will be splashed!

 

[GSPLures]

Well doesn't look like a splash is in the future for this week unfortunately (going out of town tomorrow night). The motor was having some issues with valves, carb, and timing. I finally have it dialed in enough to get everything running smooth just needs some tweaks here and there. On a bright note, you can look at the key too long and she will start in neutral, not bad on a motor that is almost 50 years old.

 

[GSPLures]

I got everything tuned in and realized why the motor was putting up such a fight. I am getting a random miss on the #4 cylinder and a quiet popping out of the exhaust. It is definitely the exhaust valve for that cylinder. It looks and has the symptoms of a collapsed lifter from the top so I ordered the part before I went out of town. It already arrived by the time I got back so hopefully that gets her purring and it is not a wiped cam lobe.

Other than that my boys had a great time caught some large and small mouth a few gills and each of them got their first catfish.

 

[Reserector_]

Collapsed lifters often respond well to additives like Rislone. You draw out some oil and replace it with the additive of your choice and run it awhile.
There are several such products.

 

[GSPLures]

Collapsed lifters often respond well to additives like Rislone. You draw out some oil and replace it with the additive of your choice and run it awhile.
There are several such products.

I was going to go that route but I found the lifter for 8 bucks and on the inline 4 they are an easy swap just need to remove the distributor the push rod and a cover on the side of the block.

Doesn't hurt to do some exploratory surgery, that is the only problem I can see or hear but I usually go overboard so I don't have to go overboard. I was thinking about it more last night, and I really do not think a wiped out lobe is the cause. I did not find any metal shavings in the oil or filter. I guess it could still be possible since I do not know the history of the motor.

 

[GSPLures]

Well, I finally got around to putting that lifter in, and it did the trick!!! Ran great got the valve lash, timing, and idle dialed in. Then I noticed it leaking from the push rod cover. Took the distributor back out to get to the plate and realized that it kept moving on me when I go to install it because I have to slide it behind the fuel line. Put a bead of gasket maker on the front and back of the gasket so it does not move on me. Now waiting for that to cure and fire it back up and tune it back in.

Rumor has it I will have the week of the 16th off (got to love the auto industry) so hopefully she will be splashed then!

 

[kcassells]

Well, I finally got around to putting that lifter in, and it did the trick!!! Ran great got the valve lash, timing, and idle dialed in. Then I noticed it leaking from the push rod cover. Took the distributor back out to get to the plate and realized that it kept moving on me when I go to install it because I have to slide it behind the fuel line. Put a bead of gasket maker on the front and back of the gasket so it does not move on me. Now waiting for that to cure and fire it back up and tune it back in.

Rumor has it I will have the week of the 16th off (got to love the auto industry) so hopefully she will be splashed then!

Yup.. keep at it! Good to have motor skills. In that dept I'm a -9

 

[GSPLures]

Yup.. keep at it! Good to have motor skills. In that dept I'm a -9

Luckily I was a master mechanic (let my certifications expire) Went with a stern drive due to the fact that it is basically a car motor and I could work on it. Not to much experience with outboards though. I have maintained my 9.9 so I never really needed to do anything to it. 99% of working on a motor is get to the part, change it, then put back together how you found it. Not always as easy as it sounds though.

 

[GSPLures]

Well, my master mechanic comment came back to bite me! I accidentally blew out my pertronix. I broke one of the wire connections off for the 12v coil so I decided to just jump 12v (had a jumper in arms reach) so it would run and I could dial her in. Had to keep pulling it off to kill the motor and accidentally let it hit the negative side of the coil.

At least this time I cannot blame the previous owner. Have a new pertronix on the way so now its just a i am dumb moment

 

[GSPLures]

Not much to update, still waiting on my part(can only blame myself for that one)

Had a good day though on the lake checking out some bass boats. The Bass Pro amateur qualifier was going on at lake St clair so I took my boys and had a good time. They really want Kevin Van Dams boat (me too), they had a great time and got to watch the weigh in.

 

[GSPLures]

Finally have spark and the boat running again. I didnt do a lot this weekend because the heat index is above 100 where I am at. Got her started again and modified the winch on the trailer so I could install a new strap. The cable that was on mine was falling apart. I still have to weld the bow stop on the trailer than I am going to do a cheap inadequate paint job for the time being so it looks slightly more presentable.

 

[GSPLures]

Sorry been awhile since I have updated. I came in contact with an old family friend the guy who when I was a kid took my dad, brother, and I fishing for the first time on a boat. A week later my dad owned a boat and I have loved fishing ever since.

Well with that said he gave me his boat!!! A crestliner 1850 sportfish!!! In perfect condition and meticulously taken care of! I am still in disbelief and could never thank him enough!