1987 340 SD: let's talk about v-drives

carboncow

Member
Jul 25, 2014
55
Ohio
Boat Info
1989 340 Sundancer & 2007 Sea Doo Challenge 180
Engines
Mercruiser TbIV 454ci V-drive % Rotax 4stroke 215HP
Hello,

Looking at late 80s (freshwater) 340 Sundancers in my area. I'm a bit bummed most come with Mercruisers (I'm a Crusader lover) but I'm more concerned about v-drives and maintenance needs on older boats.

Looking at the owners manual it actually seem like the hand drawn image of the engine bay shows the shafts entering the water aft of the engines...can one get to the shaft seals easily on a v-drive setup on these older 340s?

Or is one having to pretty much pull the engines to put shaft seals in?

Can anyone point me to any other definitive posts on these 80s 340? I know cat eye windows are known to leak..what else?

Coming off a 3100 tiara but want something a bit larger and the mid cabin for the kids.

Thanks!

Shawn
Lake Erie
 
Shawn,

Finding one that has been loved is key. They are out there though. Here's some info... http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/24518-The-big-old-80-s-340-owners-thread

Here's some info on mine...
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/47394-1989-340-DA-Refit-Take-a-look

every thing is accessible with some creative thinking. (Except oil pumps the engines do have to come out).

The windows in the bow are an easy fix and easy to tell if they are leaking. You can even get brand new replacements if needed. I'm happy to help any way I can with these old girls. Where about on Lake Erie are you?
 
Thanks Jason. I'll get into the details of those thread tonight.

We are out of Marblehead in the West Basin but spent some time in downtown Sandusky too.

So can one clearly see the shaft nuts or does one have todo the shaft seals "blind". I know a few v-drive configurations (other builds) make it nearly imposible todo them
 
I should add we are Baypont since I see you know the area well. Used to be at Dock of the Bay. Several buddies have the express

A few more specific questions...

1. Do the windows tend to simply fail at a seal or permitter or do the internals fail and thus need for replacement and/or repair.
2. Any known areas of known softness to check...I"m pretty good at self surveying after restoring several glass boats over the years.
3. What seems to be the life of these Mercruisers...people consistently getting 2000+ hours out of these like Crusaders?
4. Do you have much opinion on mid 80s vs. the last few years (any change in build quality) when everything got prettier? I see a couple 86/87 in the area that look cared for, good canvas and even a genset (which we want this time around) but everyone one we know with pretty cream muffs seem to be the 88 or 89 flavor.

I'm sure you know a lot of guys in the are and see a lot of 340. We seem to be the Sea Ray and Tiara capitol of the country up our way and I'm sure you have talked to lot of guys about the health and quality of these older boats.
 
The nuts for the shafts... Yes you can see them with some contorting. They can be reached if you're creative. If you are not a midget mechanic and you want to have "good" access you can remove the large exhaust tubes from the risers and have full access to the shafts. Removing the hoses and exhaust is a two person job to get them on and off though!

about your other questions,

1. Do the windows tend to simply fail at a seal or permitter or do the internals fail and thus need for replacement and/or repair.

In my experience the tracks that the windows sit in get full of debris and then cause the water to run into the boat instead of out. You can look around the plexi and tell if the caulk has separated. You can still get all of the seals and fuzzy material from Taylor made. Contact Sea Ray customer service with part number questions.

2. Any known areas of known softness to check...I"m pretty good at self surveying after restoring several glass boats over the years.
If the arch is toe'd out from the side of the bolt then you need to really check the wood that the 6 bolts that attach the arch to the boat. When the put them together they never sealed the holes the arch ran into. There is also 4 limber holes in the bilge. One in each of the 4 stringers. Check these well as they were hole sawed then a piece of pvc was pushed through and some cheap silicone was added. Check this area well. Other then that I haven't come across many other "problem" areas.

3. What seems to be the life of these Mercruisers...people consistently getting 2000+ hours out of these like Crusaders?
Like anything it depends on the MAINTENANCE that was done. I know people that can get 1400 hours + with no issues and some even more. Its all in how diligent the previous owner was with them.+

4. Do you have much opinion on mid 80s vs. the last few years (any change in build quality) when everything got prettier? I see a couple 86/87 in the area that look cared for, good canvas and even a genset (which we want this time around) but everyone one we know with pretty cream muffs seem to be the 88 or 89 flavor.
This is personal preference. The 89's got away from the all wood interior and you have white veneer with cherry trim and aluminum accents. I personally prefer this but as far as build quality. They made these boats in several different locations. It depends on the location on how certain things were put together.

I'm sure you know a lot of guys in the are and see a lot of 340. We seem to be the Sea Ray and Tiara capitol of the country up our way and I'm sure you have talked to lot of guys about the health and quality of these older boats.

Yes, I've seen many of them and have looked at a lot of them. I helped a fellow member on this board when he was on the hunt for his 340. If you look up Northshore he is a wealth of info on boats for sale in our area. He looked at a bunch of them. If I can help let me know I'm just over on Catawba!
 
I love our 85 (with Crusaders and a gen)
awesome old boat an no arch to worry about
 
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I felt the 88 & 89 were the best 2 years of these boats. They have the larger v-berth. You do need to check stringers as the limber holes are not glassed but just have a piece of pvc tubing through them. I loved mine. Classic looks, roomy and handle pretty well. The standard swim platform is pretty much useless so I would consider the larger one from Swim Platforms, Inc.
 

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