Official 330 Express Cruiser / 340 Amberjack 1997-2003 Thread

Most stereos have fuses on the back of the actual stereo. Pull the head unit and check. What kind of head unit is it. As for the batteries starting to drop power quicker I would 1. Check and fill the water level, 2 load test the batteries.

Sorry for the late response.
 
While I was finalizing that job I noticed what seemed to sound like a knock. Followed it to the trans. Port side. In neutral sounds like some kind of knock. No pattern very random but very often. I just got back from a 2 hour run after changing the t stats so the trans performs what seems perfectly but the sound is disturbing. Can one of u guys stick your head in your er next time your by your boat and tell me if yours has the sane sound? I know it's a reverse gear trans so wondering if it's normal? Praying it's normal? . It also has a louder clunk when going into gear then the very smooth port side but I was told this is normal due to reverse gearing. . Oil is clean smells good and at proper level..

What transmission, Velvet Drive? I've heard it from two mechanics that they are "noisy" and rattle. On my old boat with Velvet Drives the trans was fine but the nut that holds the engine coupler on was loose and made a heck of a racket so we thought the trans was bad.. It's a lock nut that backed off a little. From what I was told is a common problem. Had to pull the trans and put blue locktite on to fix it.
 
What transmission, Velvet Drive? I've heard it from two mechanics that they are "noisy" and rattle. On my old boat with Velvet Drives the trans was fine but the nut that holds the engine coupler on was loose and made a heck of a racket so we thought the trans was bad.. It's a lock nut that backed off a little. From what I was told is a common problem. Had to pull the trans and put blue locktite on to fix it.

Did a tune up and it went away. . Alot of people said that would work and it did. Question. Did u have to pull the motor to pull the trans and did u have to pull the boat to pull the trans? Did u have to slide the shaft aft for clearence?
 
That was in a Pursuit, and I had to pull the boat, drop the rudders, slide shaft to get the trans out. We did not have to pull the motor. I'm not sure if we'd have to in the Sea Ray. Another friend just replaced his trans in his 36 Tiara and did the whole thing with the boat in the water. Said the trans weighed about 100lbs.
 
ok people!!! big problem here!!! felt the tranny slipping (port side) on sunday as I was getting on plane after a day out on the boat, got back to the barn and checked the fluid level and it was down to the bottom of the stick looked around the bilge and notice some tranny fluid in the bilge by the sea strainers (not too) much felt around the tranny and seemed wet on the back side of tranny pretty sure its not the cooler and no milk in whats left. its a velvet drive model 20-01-004 also what fluid do I use??!!
 
ok people!!! big problem here!!! felt the tranny slipping (port side) on sunday as I was getting on plane after a day out on the boat, got back to the barn and checked the fluid level and it was down to the bottom of the stick looked around the bilge and notice some tranny fluid in the bilge by the sea strainers (not too) much felt around the tranny and seemed wet on the back side of tranny pretty sure its not the cooler and no milk in whats left. its a velvet drive model 20-01-004 also what fluid do I use??!!

Are you leaking around the filler? Had that happen to me. The pressure will blow the cap up if not set perfectly in the hole and adjusted correctly with the center bolt. Usually takes me a couple tries to get it right. The fluid is ATF, I use Redline Synthetic.

--Mike
 
not sure where the filter is also my dipstick is not the screw on type you think it pushed up? Im looking now for manual on this so I can familiarize myself


Are you leaking around the filler? Had that happen to me. The pressure will blow the cap up if not set perfectly in the hole and adjusted correctly with the center bolt. Usually takes me a couple tries to get it right. The fluid is ATF, I use Redline Synthetic.

--Mike
 
Alright boys and girls, it looks like it may be time for a full repower and I need some help making a decision. Should I stick with my current power and keep the 454's or should I move up to a pair of brand new pair of 8.1s? I have access to two brand new 8.1s with transmissions already attached along with the whole smart craft system with fuel flow and guages. My game breaking question is as followed.
I'm asking for all the 330 ec or aj guys to shoot me some performance numbers along with prop size and pitch
I'm currently running 2 454's at 3450 doing 25mph (heavy load) of 27.5mph (light load) burning on average (rough est) about 33-35 gph turning a 22 pitch prop. (Not sure of diameter)
What's your numbers?
 
Sorry to hear of your dilemma. What happened?

I'm running 8.1's turning 18x21 4 blade OE HY Torque Props 1.5" shaft. 3300 RPM 26 mph, 4500 RPM 38.5 mph with half fuel, half water, two adults, and LOTS of stuff in storage everywhere. The transmissions are ZF's. Sure would like to know if any other 340 Amberjacks with 8.1's are spinning newer CNC machined props to see if there's a bump in performance...
 
Sorry to hear of your dilemma. What happened?

I'm running 8.1's turning 18x21 4 blade OE HY Torque Props 1.5" shaft. 3300 RPM 26 mph, 4500 RPM 38.5 mph with half fuel, half water, two adults, and LOTS of stuff in storage everywhere. The transmissions are ZF's. Sure would like to know if any other 340 Amberjacks with 8.1's are spinning newer CNC machined props to see if there's a bump in performance...
Thank you very much! Any idea on your fuel burn at your best cruising speed? Let's just say paisleys playpen got into a fight with a 12x12x9ft long railroad tie out in the ocean that was floating about 8 inches below the surface at 3450rpm. Needless to say the railroad tie won big time
 
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Just curious how hitting a railroad tie leads to a repower. Not questioning anything just wondering. I assume your thought is replace the tired 454's while you are replacing your running gear?

Not your model boat but close in weight and same power plants, 3350 i'm looking at 28mph and and 29 gph, 3450 is 31mph with 30 gph. WOT 4600 43mph, ALOT of fuel burn...
 
Well I hit the tie at almost 3500rpm. Both shafts, props rudders and struts look like taco shells . They all need to be replaced. When I hit the tie it completely locked everything up causing my engines to go from 3500 to 0 in a split second. My mechanic us thinking this caused bent rods and further engine damage. The sudden stop also caused both my transmissions to sound like a coffee can with marbles in it. So although I don't have a solid answer on the condition of my engines u do know that everything from the trans back needs replacing. So if the engines are paper weights I need to figure out what I want to put back in, if they are still good I need to figure out if while everything is apart I should just go ahead and pull the 18 year old 1200hr motors out. So ultimately my real question was am I going to see higher speeds and lower fuel burn or higher speeds but higher fuel burn with 8.1s I'm looking for "better" efficiency. I can do the upgrade to the 8.1s at about a grand higher then just rebuilding mine. And that includes all the vessel view, gauges, and fuel flow.
 
That sucks. hopefully not too much fiberglass damage as well.

Bigger engines, more power, more torque, and pretty much bullet proof. Go with the 8.1s. I ran with a 330 express with 7.4's for 180 miles earlier this summer. He was at 3350 running 24mph. I was at 3100 running 24mph burning 24 gph.

Not sure of your prop diameter and what your options will be, but you will have to contend with your tunnels on size.

Be prepared to add spark plugs to you regular maintenance schedule. Impeller access sucks but thats to be expected. Should be much easier in your ER though. I would love to have your access.
 
Fiberglass damage was very minimal. Surprisingly. I was expecting a hole when it was coming up on the slings. It only has a dung about the size of a silver dollar. The tie wedged itself between the running gear (I'm assuming).
I think I'm running 17 inch wheels. I know there 22 p tho. What size do u have?

So your getting about 1 mpg. I would be very happy with that. I'm much wider then you so I'm assuming that would hurt me a little. But even .8 .9 mpg would be just fine with me. I do my plugs every year anyway so that's no big deal. The wires on the other hand....
 
Yes. .9- 1.0 GPH is what i expect. I think your bean will hurt you somewhat but not much.

From the sounds of it you worst case scenario is you have two brand new engines for a thousand more dollars with a little better gph.

I would take that over rebuilding two tired ladies that make your boat a gas pig.
 
Regarding my fuel consumption, I don't have the electronics to give you exact information but based on fuel usage on longer trips at cruising speeds I'd say that .8mpg is accurate. It is fun to go WOT from time to time, but I think that can burn more than 60 gallons/hr combined… ouch.

I don't doubt that water pumps are a pain for Zorba, but he has a V-Drive with backward facing engines and a narrower beam - on our boats this is not a big problem.

Your question about bigger diameter props is interesting. Our prop pockets are quite large and can likely fit ones larger than my 18" and still have enough hull clearance. I was looking at a 2000 390 DA with 8.1's which had 22x21.5 4 blade wheels. The only thing is it must have had a different reduction gearbox or I doubt that the engines would be able to get to WOT.
 
Just curious how hitting a railroad tie leads to a repower. Not questioning anything just wondering. I assume your thought is replace the tired 454's while you are replacing your running gear?

Not your model boat but close in weight and same power plants, 3350 i'm looking at 28mph and and 29 gph, 3450 is 31mph with 30 gph. WOT 4600 43mph, ALOT of fuel burn...

Zorba,

Nice performance figures! Can you share more details about what props you have and even the transmission reduction figures please?
 
I think that 8.1's would also increase the desirability of your boat come sale time over the 7.4's. Time to turn lemons into lemonade!
 
Sorry to hear of your mishap that sucks. We get about 1 mile per gal much the same as Zorba and have 8.1's with 4 blade props. If you can repower to new 8.1's for only a boat buck more don't think there's anything that would persuade us not to do that. Good luck!


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