220 DA thread

Anyone have experience rebulding the back bench? Mine finally gave out this past summer so thats spring project #1 for me. Any words of wisdom?

I rebuilt my back bench. The upholstery guy used PVC board. The PVC Board is flimsier than Plywood so I built 8 single leg supports out of PVC and Galvanized Flange Adapters similar to someone else here in the Forum. The only problem is access to the motor hatch is a pain because I can no longer just fold up the seat. The seat looks good and definitely is comfortable.​
 
New Dash

A pict of the new dash I installed. Panel done by Vector Imaging, gauges are Teleflex, new switches with circut breakers instead of fuses. I intsalled a digital depth sounder instead of the speed o meter as those speedos never work good and I have a gps. Was going to add a pict but cant get the attachment button to work, any ideas why that would happen? click the manage attachments button and nothing happens.
 
Re: New Dash

Can you email me a pic of your new gauge panel? How much did it cost you for the panel? Did they cut the holes and you installed everything? What was the turnaround time?

My email address is reh1974@gmail.com

Thanks,
Rob
 
Anyone know where I can get a replacement table post or the plastic bushing on the end? I have only one pole and one of the bushings is missing. The plastic bushing has a 2" OD. I am unsure if it has a slight taper.


Anyone have any spare legs for the rear fold down seat they no longer need?

Rob
 
Is there a drain plug on the 90 mercruiser 5.7l, or do you have to use the pump out oil changer through the dip stick? I really want to add a hose to the oil pan and drain out the transom. Any help would be awesome..
 
Yes, I spoke about adding that option a while back. I got side-tracked and didn't do it for the new season. They have a hose that screws into the drain plug and allows you to drain out the transom drain plug hole. The problem is getting under the engine to install it. I have a hard enough time just getting to the spark plugs and drain petcocks, so installing that hose would be a challenge. God forbid you run into a problem, like stripping the threads on the fitting. One of those inspection cameras on a gooseneck would probably come in handy here. Funny, I just happen to be buying one today at Harbor Freight.
 
Yes, I spoke about adding that option a while back. I got side-tracked and didn't do it for the new season. They have a hose that screws into the drain plug and allows you to drain out the transom drain plug hole. The problem is getting under the engine to install it. I have a hard enough time just getting to the spark plugs and drain petcocks, so installing that hose would be a challenge. God forbid you run into a problem, like stripping the threads on the fitting. One of those inspection cameras on a gooseneck would probably come in handy here. Funny, I just happen to be buying one today at Harbor Freight.

Man, if you find the plug and have a picture of it, you would save a lot of us from bloody nuckles and headaches.
 
I just got back from Harbor Freight and played with my new toy a bit. I was disappointed to see that there is no way to capture photos using the camera. The quality is clear enough, and I was surprised by that, and also the fact that it is a color camera. That said, the only way you can capture a photo is via the composite video cable they provide, into a TV or camcorder that has a video input. So, you are on your own here. I just did a quick search and came up with this thread that talks about adding the hose drain to the 5.7 engine: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=511316 Down in the thread they mention a pretty neat device to suck the oil out of the dipstick opening. Although not electric, it looks pretty cool: http://www.liquivac.com/
 
Danny,
I’m just curious. Did you ever see the location on the drain plug? Front or stern, port or starboard side of engine? I do like the liquivack idea. Im going to look into that one also..
 
Danny,
I’m just curious. Did you ever see the location on the drain plug? Front or stern, port or starboard side of engine? I do like the liquivack idea. Im going to look into that one also..


I used one like this on my car and also on the boat. Although it gets the job done, it works best if you can get a good seal around the dipstick tube and the extractor tube. I used a damp rolled up paper towel to create a seal. I also didnt have the oil hot enough so it was pretty thick on the first engine. I'm still thinking about getting one of the motorized ones that you clip onto a 12v source. http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|311|296536|314179&id=1298219


My boat has the pan drain tubes hooked up, and although I've not used them, the service techs at the local dealer said that it takes forever for the oil to drain out that way, even with hot oil.


James
 
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Danny,
I’m just curious. Did you ever see the location on the drain plug? Front or stern, port or starboard side of engine? I do like the liquivack idea. Im going to look into that one also..
I never actually saw the drain plug on the 5.7. Since it's basically a GM automobile block I would think it would be located toward the rear of the oil pan. I'm sure it's a real PITA to get at. BTW, I have a motorized dipstick type unit that came with my boat and it also takes forever to get the oil out, although the unit might be worn-out from use. I guess there's no easy answer.

I need to route an HDMI cable from one side compartment to the other, and I'll check for the drain when I do that job. Might not be for a week or two though.
 
Trim Lines

So, I am replacing the hydraulic lines from the trim pump, out the transom to the connector box.
Does anybody have a picture of their power trim pump? I can’t remember witch lines go where. Does the grey line go on the left or the right when reconnecting? I know how they connect to the connector box but not back to the pump. I was so excited that I was able to fish them through transom I didn’t pay attention to pump side of things. I think the black goes on the left. Any help would be awesome!! Thanks
 
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Re: Trim Lines

zetto11, I just realized I never got back to you on the oil drain plug issue. I tried to see where the plug is, using the inspection camera I just bought. Turns out, it's not all that easy to use unless you have a helper. The camera kept on finding it's way to the little bilge water there was, and the camera wound up under water most of the time. If you haven't located it yet, I think you can feel around for the oil pan, and follow it aft, and I'd bet that is where the drain is located.

An update to anyone following some of the upgrades I made:
1. The Bennett auto trim tab system continues to work perfectly. I was surprised to see that it keeps it's calibration over the winter. This is the third season of use, and I haven't re-calibrated it yet.
2. The huge hole I cut in the deck for the anchor locker has no issues with cracking fiberglass at all. The deck glass appear a bit different from the glossy stuff on the boat sides, and in the cockpit, and might be less prone to cracking.
3. The swim platform is holding up 100%. The Starboard shows no cracking at all. As many have said, the swim platform is one of the best additions you can make to your boat.
4. The bow roller I installed last year has made deploying and retrieving the anchor much more enjoyable, or maybe I should say, less annoying. I won't install a windless, since the bow roller makes retrieving the anchor a lot easier.

Since I'm running out of things to upgrade on the boat, I elected to upgrade the power on my motorized kayak. I took out the Sevylor 18lb thrust motor, and installed a Minn Kota 30 lb. thrust motor. I also switched from a nimh battery pack to a 16AH lithium pack. The original kayak can be seen on my boat page. My sig shows the link to the page. I haven't updated it yet with the new Minn Kota setup, but it looks pretty much the same.
 
Danny,
I actually was able to contortion myself upside down and see the oil drain plug. It is aft next to the transom. It is possible to get to but it's not easy.

Did you see my post about the power trim pump? I am pretty sure the black goes on the left. I just wanted some confirmation.
 
I can't imagine the trouble that drain plug would be if you ran into problems, like stripped threads, or corrosion causing leaks. Maybe better off leaving as is, and going with the suction method, out the dipstick. I use Mobil 1, so if any oil is left in the engine when doing an oil change with the dipstick method, it's probably very useable anyway.

As far as the trim pump, would you believe I had several photos that I recently deleted. I took the photos before doing a replacement of the plastic reservoir, that developed several small cracks. It wasn't a hard job, and didn't cost much for the replacement reservoir, but the wiring was a bit confusing. I searched my computer hard drive, but the photos are gone. Let me know, I will pull up the carpet and take a few photos if you need it for sure. I hate going in the engine compartment, unless I really have to!
 
Does anyone have storage under the triangular v-berth cushion? It's a solid piece of carpeted wood on mine, but I would imagine there is room for storage below it. An aluminum plate about 15" x 10" would cover the hole nicely. Can you tell I'm running out of upgrades to do!
 
I took some rough measurements a few years ago, and I think you would have enough room for a loaf of bread! I passed on that project...
 
Yes, it wouldn't be anywhere as much space as the compartments under the other cushions. That said, I'd bet someone has done it.
 
Danny,
Can you remember the measurements of your swim platform? I have the opportunity to buy one rediculously cheap but I don't know if it is to big or not.
 
Danny,Can you remember the measurements of your swim platform? I have the opportunity to buy one rediculously cheap but I don't know if it is to big or not.
My custom made platform measures 73" by about 41", but part of that is bolted below the existing platform. What you actually see from above is 73 by 30 1/2.
 

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