William Miller
Member
THIS IS A DISCUSSION TOPIC TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE!
My 2006 Sea Ray 290 Amberjack is in great shape. I have owned and maintained it since it was new. I love to work on it and make it better, reliable and easier to maintain. I plan to hav it a long time.
Fortunately, i have been able to keep it on a lift for its entire life. Unfortunately when i leave the lift the water is very shallow and the silt is ingested. Its been a burden because I've chased periodic overheating issues since i have had the boat. Fortunately that situation has changed but I will now be keeping it at a Marina with deep water.
This winter, I pulled the engines to do a lite rebuild and mostly see if the cooling passages in the blocks were ok. Pulling the core plugs, i found what i had expected. Silt caked in the water jackets. These engines only have 400 hours and except for the silt they are in almost new condition.
Off to the Machine Shop!
After cleaning, magniflux, and pressure testing. All was great to rebuild with little machine work except for a valve job...while we were there. Honed the cylinder, New main and rod bearings and I have one almost back together.
I'm looking over and painting all the acessory items. Replacing some and considering what i should do while i have them out.
First: I have already replaced Mercruisers sea water pump and bravo water intake with a thru hull, big strainer and a Sherwood crank drive pump. (four screws on the front and maybe 15 min to change the impeller.
Second: i was inflicted with a leaking fuel injector and while looking for replacement injectors I came upon an original equipment (made by GM) complete intake manifold with injectors (I mean the whole thing with sensors, throttle body ect.) for $300 each.
I bought 2 and it was for real! Showed up in a GM box with GM part number.
I now have one mounted on my engine.
SO to the topic:
This intake system is used by both Mercruiser and Volvo Penta (so it was advertised) my guess it was part of the Crate Engine Both Mercruiser and Volvo sourced from GM.
I am not thrilled with the design of the Cool Fuel III system and especially the tiney proprietary filters that we are require to buy for an arm and a leg. My blocks (although i have not been plagued by the paint issue) are not in great shape. I am intrigued by the simplicity/the aftermarket cost and the easy to change screw on filter.
The only technical difference i see is that Mercruiser uses return-less fuel plumbing while Volvo has a return fuel line.
I know I will be bashed by Mercruiser Purists. But remember...This boat is MY TOY.
I can do what I want. What I want is to make it Better, Easier to fix and Maintain, and less costly to own.
Let me have it!
Thoughts?
My 2006 Sea Ray 290 Amberjack is in great shape. I have owned and maintained it since it was new. I love to work on it and make it better, reliable and easier to maintain. I plan to hav it a long time.
Fortunately, i have been able to keep it on a lift for its entire life. Unfortunately when i leave the lift the water is very shallow and the silt is ingested. Its been a burden because I've chased periodic overheating issues since i have had the boat. Fortunately that situation has changed but I will now be keeping it at a Marina with deep water.
This winter, I pulled the engines to do a lite rebuild and mostly see if the cooling passages in the blocks were ok. Pulling the core plugs, i found what i had expected. Silt caked in the water jackets. These engines only have 400 hours and except for the silt they are in almost new condition.
Off to the Machine Shop!
After cleaning, magniflux, and pressure testing. All was great to rebuild with little machine work except for a valve job...while we were there. Honed the cylinder, New main and rod bearings and I have one almost back together.
I'm looking over and painting all the acessory items. Replacing some and considering what i should do while i have them out.
First: I have already replaced Mercruisers sea water pump and bravo water intake with a thru hull, big strainer and a Sherwood crank drive pump. (four screws on the front and maybe 15 min to change the impeller.
Second: i was inflicted with a leaking fuel injector and while looking for replacement injectors I came upon an original equipment (made by GM) complete intake manifold with injectors (I mean the whole thing with sensors, throttle body ect.) for $300 each.
I bought 2 and it was for real! Showed up in a GM box with GM part number.
I now have one mounted on my engine.
SO to the topic:
This intake system is used by both Mercruiser and Volvo Penta (so it was advertised) my guess it was part of the Crate Engine Both Mercruiser and Volvo sourced from GM.
I am not thrilled with the design of the Cool Fuel III system and especially the tiney proprietary filters that we are require to buy for an arm and a leg. My blocks (although i have not been plagued by the paint issue) are not in great shape. I am intrigued by the simplicity/the aftermarket cost and the easy to change screw on filter.
The only technical difference i see is that Mercruiser uses return-less fuel plumbing while Volvo has a return fuel line.
I know I will be bashed by Mercruiser Purists. But remember...This boat is MY TOY.
I can do what I want. What I want is to make it Better, Easier to fix and Maintain, and less costly to own.
Let me have it!
Thoughts?