Bought new boat, couple of questions.

JS Machine 1

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Jun 17, 2006
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I have just bought a '73 glastron v-179 with the volvo 4 cylinder and the volvo penta outdrive. I bought it from an old man I work with and he bought it from the original owner. it has been taken very well taken care of, and the only thing that is not stock is the carpet. I mean if you could see the condition of this boat, you would be amazed. The guy I bought it from lives on the lake and he took it out alot, usually to take his kids skiing. He's never had any bad problems out of it. He just recently bought another boat and didn't need two of them. We took the boat out several times before I bought it in the last couple of days.<br />I took it out on the water today by myself for my first run. I took my tools with me because I knew I might have some trouble. The boat just had the head resurfaced and a new head gasket installed. it runs great, but there are some quirks that I have. I build hot rods as a hobby and this boat is just in a mess when you open the engine cover. There are wires everywhere and most of them go to a specific location, but they are just floating around. I have no prior experience with boating or working on them, but I can run circles around cars. I would like to rebuild some of the specific parts and make sure that I have everything running properly to avoid damage. I definitly want to run synthetic oil in it, but I don't know what grade. The guy I bought it from also told me that the foot or outdrive or lower unit (not sure of what this is referred to) also has some oil too. I have a couple of questions. <br />When I took the boat out today, I noticed how hard it goes in and out of reverse and forward. I am so used to a clutch or an auto trans, so bumps kind of freak me out. Maybe it is supposed to be this way, I'm not sure. The bumps are not really hard just a thump. It does kind of sound out of place to me though. <br />It has two solex carbs that seam to run very well and the engine performs great. I have a couple of questions about the trim. <br />As I said before, I have no prior boating experience, and I am learning. I have a very big quirk about not messing things up and I am very careful with things that probably don't mean a thing. For example, I will lift the trim when I get in or near shallow water because I don't want to scar up the prop or break it. I also put it in neutral. <br />Today I had my first downfall.I was coming out of a slew here on one of our local lakes, and I was putting the boat back in gear. I was also trying to get the trim down at the same time. I can't remember if I was doing them both at once, but if not they had to have been right after one another. I heard a loud pop, kinda like a break--thats what it was I found out later. <br />After I got out of the slew i tried to let the trim down, just to be sure it was all the way down. as I did this the boat abrubtly stopped and everything was dead. After careful inspection and one person stopping and offering a tow, I figured out the problem. The hot wire coming from the battery had gotten jambed in between the broken casting pieces of the trim motor casting and flange. The trim motor is attached to a casting, which is attatched to a piece that resembles the bellhousing on a car(again, not sure of the correct name of these parts) and the spindle travels down and through and out of the bottom where it contacts the out drive unit. <br />The casting broke, right around the flange, where it bolts to the bellhousing looking thing. I can easily reweld and re machine this piece for a good repair, but I can't figure out how to get it off. The flange is more than the usual "stuck to the other surface by an old gasket". I have tried prying and everything to get this flange piece off, but it won't budge. Am I missing something?<br />Also, even if I do get that off, I cannot figure out how to get the little pad on the end of the shaft off, so that I can bring it up through the "bellhousing". This pad I am describing, it looks something like the pad that swivels on the end of a C clamp screw. It appears to maybe be swaged in place or permanently attached, but I'm not sure. Hopefully, you can see what I am describing, but if not just ask, I can post pictures. <br />I am a machinist/toolmaker by trade, and I can fix just about anything metal. I am not afraid of dmaging this Trim motor thing further, I just need to know how to get it out, lol. <br /><br />So basically my questions are:<br />1. Can I get this trim unit out..is it worth fixing..I know a new one would be terribly expensive.<br /><br />2. What is the "bump" that I hear when it goes in and out of gear?<br /><br />3. Is it ok to put it in the water and run it without the trim working??( the rest of the boat is fine the trim is just broken). the drive and prop would just be in the bottom posiion at all times. <br /><br />4. Any other suggestions or opinions you guys have about this boat/motor setup or anything else I need to be doing?<br /><br />Rest assured I have two fire extinguishers on board and I am prepared for just about anything, lol.<br />Thanks. Sorry for the long post, just trying to get everything that is on my mind. I really appreciate the help.
 

Gary H NC

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Dec 1, 2005
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

Welcome To IBoats John,<br />The first thing you need is to buy the service manual for that drive system.That will get you started.<br />The outdrive needs to be pulled and serviced every year.<br />Some of the other guys on this forum are familiar with that setup.<br />Question 1- not sure.<br />2- the bump is normal going into gear.Not a loud noise kind of a thud..Don't try to ease it in gear and let it grind,but use a quick shift.<br />Is your idle 700 or below?<br />3-running with the trim down is ok but you won't get the bow up when up to speed for best performance.<br />4-start reading up on service and repair of that drive system,tune up,service,ect..save you alot of money doing those things yourself.<br />Plus learning how to winterize..<br />Welcome aboard..we all try to help!
 

JS Machine 1

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Jun 17, 2006
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

im not really sure exactly where the idle is right off but it does idle good. Will this affect the ease of putting it in and out of gear? <br /><br />Thanks for the quick reply- im going to try and get that engine compartment cleaned up and straightened a little<br /><br />I will definitly do as much of the work on this boat as I can. That way, there is no one to blame but me if something happens!
 

whywhyzed

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Feb 1, 2005
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

re: ques. #1:<br />That's probably not a trim system- most volvo's of that vintage have only TILT, which is for lifting the drive to trailer the boat or putt through shallow water.<br /><br />re: ques. #2:<br />Volvo drives do have cone clutches and generally shift into gear smoother than any other type of shifting drive.<br /><br />re: Gary's answer to #3: I doubt you have trim. I recommend "smart tabs" (google it)
 

bigbrownbuku

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Sep 17, 2004
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

the clunk is normal. a specific drive number such as 270 would help. some drives with dogs for a clutch vs a cone sound far worse and yet are completely normal. <br />dont buy a seloc or other similar manual, find and buy a genuine manual if you can.<br />a coffee can makes an excellent seal for a balancer for when it comes time to setup your twin solex downdraughts.<br />trim on a boat is nice but there are many boats around today without it that work fine.
 

JS Machine 1

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Jun 17, 2006
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

The number on the back is 270. It probably is just tilt, I'm not sure. All it does is cruise the prop up and down for like yall said, trailering or going through shallow water. That's why I'm afraid to drive it period with it being messed up like that because it stays all the way down. Today when we went to put it back on the trailer I had to go out and get the drive and lift it up and tie it with tie downs so it would stay up. The tilt drive is nothing but an acme threaded screw probably (I am assuming-I can't see it) that pushes the drive as it pivots on a fixed point to push it up. when the screw or shaft is all the way up, the drive is all the way down. As I said in my original post, the housing for the tilt system is broken, so it wont work. What caused it to break, I don't know.
 

bigbrownbuku

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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

its just tilt, no trim.<br />do not start the motor with the drive tilted.<br />the crosses can clash with the bell housing neck and the bellows. its absolutely fine to run with the drive all the way down.<br />check that your reverse lock mechanism works. reverse will tilt the drive up if the lock is inop.
 

bamadave

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Mar 24, 2005
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

Welcome,<br />John, what lake do you go to?<br />We all learn something new here, I have never heard the u-joints referred to crosses.
 

Almeja

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May 30, 2006
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

>"I heard a loud pop, kinda like a break--thats what it was I found out later"<br /><br />BenC has your answer.<br /><br />>"do not start the motor with the drive tilted."<br /><br />>What is the "bump" that I hear when it goes in and out of gear?<br /><br />Probably normal. You're simply hearing it go in and out of gear. Most outdrives have Bang-Bang shifting. A common marine engineering [sic] practice is to incorporate a switch to kill the engine briefly while shifting.<br /><br />You will find that a lot of marine technogy is quite primitive when compared to modern automotive/motorcycle engineering. <br /><br />Where else can you still find:<br /><br />Bang-bang shifting.<br />Carburators.<br />Single-speed transmission systems.<br />Engine designs dating from the late 1950's?<br /><br />IMHO: $5.00 a gallon gas is going to be a rude wakeup call for the marine industry. While moving something through water at speed is inherently ineffecient, marine manufacturers have gotta do better than they are right now or they will be out of business.
 

JS Machine 1

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Jun 17, 2006
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

Almeja---<br />Where else can you still find:<br /><br />Bang-bang shifting.<br />Carburators.<br />Single-speed transmission systems.<br />Engine designs dating from the late 1950's?<br /><br />Answer: DRAG RACING, lol..I do alot of that, I have a 66 Chevelle that is a work in progress. I used to own a 74 Corvette too. We don't use many one speeds, but we do use two speeds (powerglides).<br /><br />That must have ben what happenned, I must have started it with the tilt up or halfway up because like I said, I had lifted a little to go into that slew. <br /><br />"check that your reverse lock mechanism works. reverse will tilt the drive up if the lock is inop." Can you explain this in a little more detail please. <br />And anybody have a clue where I could get an original service manual for this boat?<br /><br />I am from central Alabama, and the closest lakes to me are Lake Martin and Lake Jordan. Jordan is the smaller of the two, with more dirty water. Martin is huge and has over seven hundred miles of shoreline and the prettiest greenest water. you can just about see your feet when swimming in it. Alot of stars and singers have had or have houses on it. <br />I appreciate yalls, replies. I would still be in the dark without you guys.
 

Scaaty

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May 31, 2004
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

I would put it on the trailer, and take all the covers and panels off around that motor. Tear out ALL the fouled up wiring and replace and Loom it. Go over, and I mean REALLY go over the entire fuel system. Make sure not ONE drip. Make sure the bilge blower is working. <br /> If this aint done right, you could end up blowing the whole back of the boat off, and that tilt piece will be very easy to get at if ya can find where the rest of the backend went. Get the basics done right first. You CANNOT have pinched wiring ANYWHERE in a motor bay. One spark, in drip and BOOM!<br />Shiftings normal, good thud is a solid 270, You can run without a tilt for now. And Ebay has parts.
 

bigbrownbuku

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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

Originally posted by bamadave:<br /> Welcome,<br />John, what lake do you go to?<br />We all learn something new here, I have never heard the u-joints referred to crosses.
crosses is what they look like before you install them.
 

tjstrike

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 19, 2005
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

The motor oil should be either 10W-30 or 10W-40, the drive takes SAE-30, I have the same drive with busted tilt, I just lower the drive after the boat is off the trailer."WAR EAGLE"
 

tjstrike

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Sep 19, 2005
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

Also, I bought the SELOC repair manual and it worked great for me when I pulled my outdrive off and my motor out.
 

JS Machine 1

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Jun 17, 2006
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

Well sounds like your in the same boat I am lol. Today, we took it back out and we did exactly that. We had the drive suspended with tie downs and we just let it down after we got it in the water. It runs fine and drives good. just the tilt problem. I hate it for you bay bay 1, but it's gonna have to be "ROLL TIDE"
 

bigbrownbuku

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Sep 17, 2004
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

Originally posted by John Sanford:<br /><br /><br />"check that your reverse lock mechanism works. reverse will tilt the drive up if the lock is inop." Can you explain this in a little more detail please. <br />And anybody have a clue where I could get an original service manual for this boat?<br /><br /> [/QB]
it will be an upward facing hook at the front of the drive, it should swivel a little and move up and down easy by hand.
 

JS Machine 1

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Jun 17, 2006
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

I talked to a local marine shop today and the guy I was speaking with basically finished my sentence when I started to tell him about the situation. Apparently this seems to be an all too common happenning with amatuers, lol. <br /><br />I have looked and found several replacement tilt setups on ebay that would easily work but I would like to try and fix mine if I can. I also saw the reason that I cannot get mine out. The guy at the marine place aslo shed some light on why it would not come out. If anybody has taken one of these deals out after a clash like this, speak up and provide some hints. I would like to get it out without having to have to take the setup apart. <br /><br />For the mean time, I bought an adjustable transom saver from walmart. Of course it was a little too long to work for this application, so I cut it down and bent an angle on the end to adapt it for my application. That really took the stress off the back of the boat where the straps that were holding the drive were hooked. I also ordered the serice manual, so that will help a little. Thanks for the help guys.
 

JS Machine 1

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Jun 17, 2006
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Re: Bought new boat, couple of questions.

I got it out guys, thanks. Gene 70 talked to me on the phone and walked me through it. it came right out with a little coaxing with an aluminum rod and a hammer. And good news, the shaft isn't even bent!
 
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