mercruiser 7.4L engine replacement project

[Hoosmatroos]

For sure. Great work. Good you took some time off to finish your boat. Happy boating!

 

[mr300z87]

Just a quick update, yesterday was launch day and although I was excited I was also nervous. Going over everything in my head trying to figure out what I forgot of messed up; LOL Any launch went well and a quick motor at no wake speed across the Toms River to my slip. After getting her tied up and situated at the marina we decided it was time for a nice long cruise to get the cob webs out. She jumped right up on plane and ran smooth for about a solid half hour plus. We then turned back and as we were headed home the RPMs dropped and she started coughing. I was able to make it all the way back up the Toms River to about a 1/4 mile from my slip and as soon as I let off she died and we were dead in the water. Opened the hatch and noticed the carb was all flooded out and dumping fuel. So as long as I had RPMs it would run and burn the extra fuel but as soon as I let off the fuel put out the fire. I very nice guy passing by gave us a tow in (thank whom ever you are) I do have boat US towing but it was not needed.

After this adventure I was slightly dejected my friend and I swapped out the carb for a spare parts carb I pick up, changed the fuel filter and low and behold she fired right up and has been running like a champ. I took the family out this morning for about a 2 hour cruise and ran at all different RPMs. Still might buy a brand new edelbrock replacement carb just be be safe. Here she is tied up at her summer home looking almost as good as she did when new. :joyous:

We are looking forward to a lot of fun on her this summer.

All have a great boating season

 

[Maclin]

Nice thread, great ending, congrats!

 

[Hoosmatroos]

Good to hear. Happy ending!

 

[mr300z87]

So here we are October 8th and our 2017 boating has come to a close. We had an absolute ball on Tik-Tok all summer and after the new carburetor replacement back in June she has ran flawlessly and saw a total run time of 26.7 hours. Since it is raining and gross here today I figure now was a good time to fix all the broken pic links (thanks PB).
Here are some recent photo This was taken a few weeks ago on a spontaneous monday night outing


this was last sunday's afternoon cruise



2 weeks ago it was 85 degrees out so we anchored up in the Seaside Height cove. We were one of 5 boats. During the summer if your not there by 11 there is no more room


Pulling in the driveway yesterday



All cleaned up and in her winter resting spot waiting to be covered up



Oliver all grown up and consoling me, He knew I was sad that boating season has ended for us



Considering that I originally did not want to take on this project I must that I really the boat, with 7.4L Bravo 1 power this is a completely different boat then the 5.7L alpha version my friend had (BTW that boat is finally gone and I hope to never see it again). We have secured the same slip again for next year.

I am planning some upgrades and cosmetic repairs this spring and will start some new threads in the appropriate forums when the time comes. I am also working on getting an engine together to put in the Invader so I can hopefully sell it.

 

[Hoosmatroos]

Great!

 

[alldodge]

Good season, I have another few weeks before I need to do the same

 

[mr300z87]

I want to post an update. Last weekend after dodging crappy weather for most of May at least on weekends and days off I finally splashed Tik Tok for her second season. Although she had been in the water for a week busy schedules, prevented us from getting her out until yesterday. She ran great and after a nice dinner cruise with a friend and his daughter my wife and I spent the night on her for the first time. We are looking forward to another great season on Barnegat Bay. Considering that I was not going to take on this project 5 years ago I am way glad my wife made me do it. Happy boating to all.

 

[mr300z87]

Since we starting using Tik Tok last season on of the things that was on my priority list of repairs was to swap out the gauges since, The gauge lights did not work and some of the plastic bulb retainers were broken from years of baking in the sun. Before splashing a few weeks back I replace the switch panel and while I was in there I was able to repair the connection to the gauge lights. So yesterday the weather was gray and cool with some drizzle I set out to replace the gauges and get the lights working so when we go out for fireworks on the 4th I can see my the gauges on the way back in, My plan is to also make a new gauge panel to match the switch panel but that will need to wait until the boat is back home since is will require some trial and error fitting, Here are some pics of the new switch panel and gauges all lit up. The trim gauge is dark since is seems to have a red lens inside and the blue bulb is not working out. . The photos do not really do it justice since is was the start of the weekend is was raining a bit last night which is the cause of the streaks up on the dash. As you can see the trim gauge does not match so it will need to go once I find a replacement.