How Do You Get at Stuff in the 320 Engine Compartment

Give me a few days. I didn't say spacious. Just way different from a 320.

I want a picture of you sitting behind the engines. Were you on Willy Wonka? I need some Umpa Lumpas to work around my house and boat. Can you have them contact me?:smt043:smt043:smt043
 
Guys, this is not a big deal. You can get behind the engines in a 340, and there's ton of space to store stuff in front of the genny. You can stand on the floor of the ER in several locations which makes it a lot more comfortable to work on parts. The strainers are all accessible with ease. I can do my own impellers. The genny oil, zinc, filter, and impeller are readily accessible. I can drain the genny oil into a 1-gallon jug by gravity while sitting next to the genny. I can't do any of that in the 320. I'm not saying it's a bad boat. It's a great boat. There is significantly more room in the 340 ER. There is no fuel tank in the ER. The genny sits to the side. It is in no way like the ERs of the big boats, but it is reasonable.

It is what it is. It's not an insult. If a big guy likes to do it himself, he needs to crawl inside the ER of the 320 and that of the 340 and decide for himself. I, personally do not like to dangle my head down as I lay on top of the engines to work on stuff. I don't have to do that in the 340.

I'm sorry if anyone is offended by my impression of the room in each of the boats. Each individual should draw their own conclussions.
 
I cant reach the seacock or strainer for the a/c unit on my 2000 34' sundancer. Any suggestions on cleaning the strainer or shutting the seacock off. I cant even see the handle.
 
I want a picture of you sitting behind the engines. Were you on Willy Wonka? I need some Umpa Lumpas to work around my house and boat. Can you have them contact me?:smt043:smt043:smt043

You will get your picture. Find your own labor. It is true, I am not a tall man. I am short. That too, is what it is. I can't fit my short ass anywhere in the ER of a 320.
 
You will get your picture. Find your own labor. It is true, I am not a tall man. I am short. That too, is what it is. I can't fit my short ass anywhere in the ER of a 320.
RUB_51132_Ca.jpg


Just toying with you. :thumbsup:


[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS4jfbVKIcc[/YOUTUBE]
 
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They can sing and dance, but can they change the impellers? : )
 
They can sing and dance, but can they change the impellers? : )

They fabricate, operate, maintain, and repair every inch of that factory. Have you seen the complexity of the machinery in there and the volume of chocolate bars they produce? :wow: An impeller would be no challenge.
 
They fabricate, operate, maintain, and repair every inch of that factory. Have you seen the complexity of the machinery in there and the volume of chocolate bars they produce? :wow: An impeller would be no challenge.

I don't know about that. I've seen some pretty tough Umpa Loompa's go down over a port-side impeller.
 
Alex - what do you have you bilge heater sitting on?

skolbe,
I don't know what you mean by bildge heater, I don't have anything like boatsafe heater. If you refering to hot water heater, then it's on the port side right in front of the holding tank.
 
I’m betting he is referring to the item on your first picture at the #4 spot, directly in front of the starboard engine starter. I was wondering what that was as well?
 
Oh, I see. Sorry for the confusion guys. I didn't have my own engine room pictures, so I grabbed something that was very close. That small item happens to be exception, I don't have it in my bildge. The rest looked very much the same, but the main focus was on the sots where the feet can be placed. Speaking of, on the occasion I find the need to place my feet on the platforms that hold the muflers, but for that I have to pay close attention since there're some hoses and wires run, but I'm able to find the spot.
 
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Guys, this is not a big deal. You can get behind the engines in a 340, and there's ton of space to store stuff in front of the genny. You can stand on the floor of the ER in several locations which makes it a lot more comfortable to work on parts. The strainers are all accessible with ease. I can do my own impellers. The genny oil, zinc, filter, and impeller are readily accessible. I can drain the genny oil into a 1-gallon jug by gravity while sitting next to the genny. I can't do any of that in the 320. I'm not saying it's a bad boat. It's a great boat. There is significantly more room in the 340 ER. There is no fuel tank in the ER. The genny sits to the side. It is in no way like the ERs of the big boats, but it is reasonable.

It is what it is. It's not an insult. If a big guy likes to do it himself, he needs to crawl inside the ER of the 320 and that of the 340 and decide for himself. I, personally do not like to dangle my head down as I lay on top of the engines to work on stuff. I don't have to do that in the 340.

I'm sorry if anyone is offended by my impression of the room in each of the boats. Each individual should draw their own conclussions.

John,

I think just the fact that 340 is 2' longer adds more room in ER (I know that not all 2' extra is used in ER, but still overall it adds some extra space). I do agree that ER in 320 is tight and any extra 6"-12" would be a huge plus. But, all of this means only one thing, this is no way a show stopper for purchasing the boat, you just have to get used to it and find they way to get around in the bildge. As with anything, everyone has their way to get from point A to point B, but we all manage to get there. Regardless of the tight space the boat was designed to be serviced, so there's defenatelly a way to get to what you need to do. A quick example, If one can't get 1gal can to drain genny oil, just need to use something else or different shape 1gal.

Anytime we talked about a bigger boat be it 340, 360 or whatever we need to aknowledge the fact that they're bigger and things will be different and hopefully slightly better, that's why they cost more. So, as with any boat, if one settles to a model due to budget constrains there're always compromises. ER in 320 is one of the examples.
 
John,

I think just the fact that 340 is 2' longer adds more room in ER (I know that not all 2' extra is used in ER, but still overall it adds some extra space). I do agree that ER in 320 is tight and any extra 6"-12" would be a huge plus. But, all of this means only one thing, this is no way a show stopper for purchasing the boat, you just have to get used to it and find they way to get around in the bildge. As with anything, everyone has their way to get from point A to point B, but we all manage to get there. Regardless of the tight space the boat was designed to be serviced, so there's defenatelly a way to get to what you need to do. A quick example, If one can't get 1gal can to drain genny oil, just need to use something else or different shape 1gal.

Anytime we talked about a bigger boat be it 340, 360 or whatever we need to aknowledge the fact that they're bigger and things will be different and hopefully slightly better, that's why they cost more. So, as with any boat, if one settles to a model due to budget constrains there're always compromises. ER in 320 is one of the examples.

I couldn't agree more.
 
A comment on Hiring the yard to replace impellers, by folks who generally do all their own maintenance, simply because of limitied access.

If you are handy and knowledgeable enough...(heck you can get all the knowledge you need right here).....I would argue just the opposite. Do NOT hire that job out simply because it's a tight fit. Just the opposite. That's the job you should do yourself.

Why? Simple....it's going to be just as tight for the mechanic as it is for you (size of person matters somewhat here)....but the big difference is going to be that he's not going to be nearly as carefull as you are.....and in some cases, even downright pissed off...especially if it's a hot humid day. You, on the other hand, will take the extra time to watch your feet and what your stepping on and pulling on. And, when you done, you get the satisfaction of the doing it yourself, and the experience of how to redo it next time....afteall...it is a 'maintenance' item.

Now, I'm not trying to bash mechanics. I'm sure most are caring folks....but I sure as hell would at least want to be present the day the mechanic is working in my ER.

just saying.....
 
Since I am the threadstarter here I will weigh in on a couple of issues. My primary reason for this thread was how to get to the generator to do routine checks not change impellers or fluids. Alex F gave me that answer with his "twister" chart. Clearly, the 340 has more room in the ER vs. my 320. Not really an issue for me since the marina will be doing the maintenance since I am not yet a boat DIY'r. Maybe when I become a more experienced boater and get tired of paying someone $100+/hr to change my oil etc. I will be willing to get some grease under my fingernails as I did in my teens and early 20's working on my cars.

There is an $80K price difference on a new 340 versus a new 320 which to me is far too high a price of poker for a roomer ER. However, a used 340 vs. and used 320, would be an entirely different story where the price differential is perhaps $10K at worst. I looked at a used 340 and it was not in nearly as good shape or equipped as well as my 320 eventhough it was $10K cheaper. For a die-hard DIY'r, the decision might have been different but no me.:thumbsup:
 
I have a friend with a 280 that loves to "help" work on my boat. He thinks the ER is huge. He works, I open the beers:lol:
 
I have a friend with a 280 that loves to "help" work on my boat. He thinks the ER is huge. He works, I open the beers:lol:

Now this is the best suggestion yet to maintenance in small engine room. Does your friend make house calls to another state!:smt043
 
i had a 29 maxum with twins and the 320 makes its engine room look small. now i have a 380 and thats a real engine room
 

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