280SS/290SS Thread

Welcome to the board.

A couple of questions

Were the battery switches on?

Go ahead and press the CB for the pump it does not pop out very far.

Is it just the pump or are other 12 volt accessories not working?

This thread does not get a lot of views it might be better to ask in the electrical forum.

Thanks for the help guys...

One part of my problem is solved. I checked the water pump and it was making a constant running noise, but no water was being vacuumed from the tank. I took it out and into a marine supply shop and we tested it, poured water in the intake and it just pooled. So I bought a new one and put it in and it runs great. Water system now working!

With regards to my vacuflush, when I press the toilet foot pedal, water now enters the bowl, but no motor sound and no vacuum sound. I did have this thing fully surveyed, but I'm thinking the surveyor never checked to see if the vacuum and motor for vacuflush worked. It appears to be working as water enters the bowl. I don't think the previous owner ever used the toilet (I'm going to call him and ask). I know he probably didn't use the water system... it still had winterizing liquid in it. The water pump was 14 years old (same age as boat) looked in excellent condition (probably not used much). The vacuflush system components appear in great shape, I'm thinking it was rarely used if ever.

So where do I start with troubleshooting the vacuflush? Take off the motor and take it in to see if it works? The users manual says to "short the B wires" as one of the troubleshooting steps, can I do that with a regular 12 or 14 gauge speaker wire? I am a little concerned with getting into the wiring for the vacuflush. It seems to be hard wired in, no switch anywhere for it. Where as the water pump had the switch on the dash so I could ensure the power was cut, before getting into the wires.

Thanks for the help.
 
If I remember right my 280ss had a key switch on the wall in the head to turn on the vacuflush pump.
 
yep the key needs to be moved to the first detent and that will start the vacuum pump. if the pump continues to run that's ok but turn it off when done. the pump running and not stopping means you have a leak or most likely duck bill failure.
 
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I would have thought the SS meant super sport which means FAST , 46 and 49 is slow my 24 Sorrento did 49 with a single 5.7 liter 350 holy cow!!!! Said from a 480 DB owner .


Boltman
 
I would have thought the SS meant super sport which means FAST , 46 and 49 is slow my 24 Sorrento did 49 with a single 5.7 liter 350 holy cow!!!! Said from a 480 DB owner .


Boltman

SS = Sunsport. How much faster than 50 do you really need to go on the water?
 
I would have thought the SS meant super sport which means FAST , 46 and 49 is slow my 24 Sorrento did 49 with a single 5.7 liter 350 holy cow!!!! Said from a 480 DB owner.
Boltman

49 from a single small block is impressive! What's nice about the 280SS/BR though is how easily they plane-out and how many people they can carry while they do it. I've had 12 people aboard with half fuel and full water and the boat doesn't even seem to notice.

Since you wandered into 280 territory to question the performance of our boats, we're gonna have to call you out on your mis-spelling of your engines: it's MAN, not MANS! :grin:
 
Owwww gheez I call it MANS because I have 2 like you , you have 350 Chevys , well they aren't Chevys at all are they they are general motor engines . :) all in good fun my friend I almost bought a 280ss but I wanted 454s in it


Boltman
 
Ah - well then you're just using redundant-plurality. (a term I just made up btw) It could be MANs (diesels) or MAN Diesels...

I've spent a lot of time in the 280 engine compartment lately. I wouldn't mind ONE 454, but I'd hate to see two stuffed in there! As I type this, the inboard port exhaust and elbow are dismantled so a new shift cable could be fished through. I have a bad bilge pump too. I'm thinking it would be easier to remove both engines or cut a hole in the bottom of the hull than it would be to get to that pump.

Aside from ER access, ideally I'd like the 300 HP FI's mated to B3's. I have no performance complaints at all. In the mid-40's, my reaction is "damn this thing is fast". I honestly haven't wanted to go faster. This 280 is a Saltie though, so the carb just offers more vulnerability and parts to worry about. I've never had any love of Alpha's, particularly since they've kept me high and dry all summer with shift issues.
 
My 280ss was a 1997 with twin 5.7 carb'd motors and Alpha drives. I never had a problem planing even with all the tanks full, and two families with coolers brimming. I could cavitate the props if I pushed her hard enough coming on to plane. A steady forward roll on the throttles brought her up and over with ease. Bravo 3's would have doubled the prop bite, and there was plenty of power there to utilize it. I really don't think that boat needed big blocks even if you could get them in there.

Thank god my bilge pump never failed.
 
Haven't been around lately but installed an extended swim platform from Swimplatforms.com for our 280 spring of '13 project and thought I'd share it with fellow CSR members who may be looking for ideas.





 
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This years upgrade was new canvas. Originally we only had the front bimini and the slant back sport camper canvas. We also changed from the brown tweed color to black. Canvas shop built the frame work for the rear bimini and installed it as well. Rear curtain and both side rear curtains have screens installed. I opted for no screens across the front or either side front pieces as I wanted the visibility for night driving with the enclosure up.






 
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nice job on the swim platform my wife loves ours.

canvas is always good looking in black you made the right choice.

who makes the ladder you installed it looks better than mine.
 
nice job on the swim platform my wife loves ours.

canvas is always good looking in black you made the right choice.

who makes the ladder you installed it looks better than mine.

It is made by WindLine I believe..... it was the ladder that was installed from Swimplatforms.com
 
I'm looking at storage options. Has anyone measured how tall the windshield is when the boat is on a trailer? My tri-axle seems to sit lower than some of the duals, so I wondered if I kept the tongue low if I could get her under a 9' door.
 

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