460 Express Cruiser (1985-1989) Discussion Area

Hi Jeff, Thank you!

As for wiring schematics, I don't have them either, just carnal knowledge of tracing them out :) ...

The closest I have is a late 90's addendum found here on the forums. Close but not detailed.
 
I have this partial schematic which only covers the AC panel, but it's pretty close. I haven't found any DC schematics yet. Keep in mind that we have 50A breakers.

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I have the original manual for a 1987 460 Express and would be happy to turn it into a PDF and share with others. It does not contain any wiring schematics so if you have some, I would be happy to receive them. Not an easy thing to source.

Skybolt, I made a PDF of the owner's manual (~9 meg). Send me your e-mail address and I will forward it to you. Same goes for anyone else wanting a copy.
 
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Hi Jeff, Check your PM's. Thank you!
 
Skybolt, I made a PDF of the owner's manual (~9 meg). Send me your e-mail address and I will forward it to you. Same goes for anyone else wanting a copy.
I would be seriously in your debt if I could get a copy of that! Ive turned the Internet upside down looking! Thanks in advance - Rick
 
I would be seriously in your debt if I could get a copy of that! Ive turned the Internet upside down looking! Thanks in advance - Rick

Hi Jeff, and thanks for the reply! I did not receive a message form you on Facebook - maybe the wrong Rick Hunter? either way, I dont mind putting one here - rick@cssdatacenter.net - thanks in advance - I sincerely appreciate it!
 
Folks I'm looking to move up and I could use your help. I'm looking at a 88 with twin Cats they have about 1600 on each. Is this a good thing or bad on Cats? Any other info on the 46 would be great
 
i have a friend in Florida with those same engines in a 48 ft custom Sport Fisherman. It is his total source of income he never scrimps on maintenance of defers it. I've known him since 1988, and had a chance to catch up with him on a rare open day in February. His 3208's have 18,400 hours on them now and he has only lost one day fishing since the boat was launched. He has had a few repairs..... like a few injectors fail, a couple of alternators die and one injection pump fail 6-8 seawater pumps fail. I'd get on that boat and go anywhere today.

The 3208 was taken out of production in about 1994/5 because it wouldn't meet EPA diesel emissions standards as they were gradually tightened. Parts are not a problem since Caterpilar made millions of the 3208. Besides, Cat has the best legacy parts support of all diesel engine makers. The 3208 is going to smoke than the 3116 or 3126 which replaced it, but I don't find them objectional. Smoke and fumes are about the same as a Cummins 6CTA.

The Cat engines would be an advantage to me, but they are like every other diesel engine ever produced. The risk in a 30 year old engine is going to be more about how it has been maintained and cared for than in its design. Don't buy it without a survey by a Caterpillar servicing dealer.

I've always liked the 460EC. They are gigantic for a 46 ft boat, but they are also heavy and tend to be slow. The only knock on them is that they have a lot of plywood in the cockpit side walls which will rot (not an expensive repair to replace with King Starboard) and the limber holes can leak and let water into the stringers. A decent hull surveyor can examine those areas and advise you accordingly.
 
It's over in VaBeach and there are very very pics on the brokers site. I've asked for more and better pics. I'm going over there next week to see what I see

It also says newly renovated interior
 
Folks I'm looking to move up and I could use your help. I'm looking at a 88 with twin Cats they have about 1600 on each. Is this a good thing or bad on Cats? Any other info on the 46 would be great

I have an '87 with the 3208TAs. Engines are great but at 375 HP, they are a little light for the boat. Push along at ~ 15-17 knots at 2300 - 2400 RPM. Do not expect 20 knots which I had hoped for. This winter, I added a 2nd set of trim tabs inboard of the prop pockets which improved trim and may increase speed. Have yet to test on a longer trip.
 
I can't speak for the cats in the 460 EC, but I can speak for the 460 EC as a great boat.

I can speak for the cats in general, however. They aren't a power house as far as HP goes, but they are a very good engine. I have had similar experiences in boats I have ran, like Frank has posted above. The only bad aspect to that engine is that it doesn't have sleeves in the cylinders. So if a rebuild is needed the engine must be pulled and the block sent out to be machined. Some people refer to this engine as a throw away block. Don't listen to that, it's not. It's just a lot more work to rebuild then say Detroit's are.

I could not be happier with my 88'. I can guarantee you will fine water intrusion in a lot of spots, the good thing there is they used so much fiberglass that it almost doesn't matter. If your not ok with that, get some boat yards opinions. I would not recommend taking a surveyors advice on the repair aspect of the water intrusion. In some cases the repair can make it worse it not handled right.

All in all the boat as a boat is a great boat, the only down side is there is basically nothing in the cockpit in the way of a wet bar/bbq/tv set up. I made one for my boat that changed the boat entirely in the way that it gets used.

Here is what I made: http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/thinking-of-getting-a-kenyon-electric-grill.70129/page-2

Good luck with the boat. post a link if can, it would be nice to see it.
 
Next update to "Boldly Go" is on it's way. I want to manage fuel consumption but my prior fuel monitoring supplier (FloScan) has gone out of business. After searching for an alternate supplier, I discovered Optio Fuel flowmeters from Interactio (www.interactio.co)

Their design is unique as the flowmeters are completely wireless and are powered by disposable batteries that you replace annually. Communications is via bluetooth to your smart phone. A free app does all of your fuel consumption calculations and provides excellent graphics to promote fuel efficiency.

This is an interesting start-up company bringing IoT concepts to recreational boating. I see some downsides to the design but I believe the benefits greatly outweigh them. The simplicity of installation and price point are both attractive.

The system is on its way to me and I hope to have installed next week. In August we will go on our two-week holiday on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay where I will get good data on their performance (warts and all).

Will provide feedback then.
 
Installed the Optio Fuel sensors this week. Although they splice directly into the fuel lines, it took me a while to prepare the physical spots for flowmeter installation. Was nice to avoid running power and signal wires to the flowmeters as with my prior FloScan units.

Fired up the engines afterwards and read fuel flow rates on the Interactio app installed on my iPhone. Assuming the winds are down this weekend, I will leave the dock to have it calculate fuel efficiency and find the speed sweet spot for cruising.

More later.
 
Hello, All

Curious as to what prop is correct for my 86 460EC, with DD 6v92TA Engines? I cannot find any info online and was wondering what some of you more experienced 460 owners were using. Thanks in advance!
 
Hello, All

Curious as to what prop is correct for my 86 460EC, with DD 6v92TA Engines? I cannot find any info online and was wondering what some of you more experienced 460 owners were using. Thanks in advance!

Let me know if you have any luck Rick. I have searched for the same info for my 460 without success.
 
Hi all.

I am unable to determine what type of transmission fluid/oil I need to use for my 86 460EC with the 6v92TA engines. By chance, does anyone out there know which I should use? I have a small shaft seal leak, and would like to keep some on hand. The boat is new to me, and I have no idea when it was last changed, so I would also like to go ahead and change it. Thanks in advance!
 

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