A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration

I know were all waiting hope all is well. he does say he takes summer off since it so hot in florida. hopefully all is well
 
Yea, but its January. I hope he gets his dream done. I just love the story about his Dad buildingthe steel boat with just his bare hands and some plans. And that the 390 was his Dad's boat left to him. I have an old surburban like that that I want to restore. Dad drove it and taught me to drive in it.
I am excited to see him in his magnificent vessel as he cherishes his Dad's memory
 
I customized a set of tabs for the middle. I don't have a comparison in performance for the shorter ones but it seemed to me less angle and more surface area would help. I can stay on plane down to about 16mph.

edy2ater.jpg
 
I made up a similar set of tabs for the middle. In addition I enlarged the oem tabs to 15" deep X 30" wide. Same result on plane down to about 16-17 mph with about 10% less fuel consumption.
 
Looks good. I guess I have to fabricate something. Its all running off of one pump and one set of controls? how wide can you make the new tabs. I'm still in the water so I cant measure. I plan on coming out in April for two weeks to do maintenance.
 
Dr. - it's been a while since you've updated us on your progress. Is there anything new you can share?
Hope all is well.
 
Deuceornothing said:
I came to get an update and there isn't anything since last summer. Hope all is well.
Click to expand...

Sorry about the delayed reply. I am no longer getting notices from this forum that there are new messages.

I just installed the CAT diesels. See the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH5l9N_TfXE



It has been cold and wet here all winter. I am doing small things like installing the engines, aligning the shafts to the engines etc. Will work on it this month (April). Next month (May) my wife and I spend a month in Italy. We will visit with our old friend Pietro and his 390 Express Cruiser Moonchild. Can't wait to see it.
 
Saverio said:
I know were all waiting hope all is well. he does say he takes summer off since it so hot in florida. hopefully all is well
Click to expand...

I am alive and well. This forum stopped sending me notices of new posts. It has been cold and wet in FL this winter. I have been busy with work etc. See my latest post re: Engine installation.

Dr. Microchip
 
My Gold Sponsor subscription lapsed so any images I uploaded in prev posts were no longer shown. This should be corrected now - I hope!

Engines in place:

DSC_9303.jpg

DSC_9304.jpg

DSC_9305.jpg
 
Dr MicroChip said:
Sorry about the delayed reply. I am no longer getting notices from this forum that there are new messages.


It has been cold and wet here all winter. I am doing small things like installing the engines, aligning the shafts to the engines etc. Will work on it this month (April). Next month (May) my wife and I spend a month in Italy. We will visit with our old friend Pietro and his 390 Express Cruiser Moonchild. Can't wait to see it.
Click to expand...

YESSS! We are waiting for you!!! Moonchild splashes next week! :thumbsup:
 
Re: A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration - Westerbeke valve job

Here is what over 20 years of exposure to salt water vapors does to a generator head:
DSC_9326.jpg
DSC_9328.jpg

Sent the head off to Precision Crankshaft Service in Jacksonville, FL. They installed new valve seat inserts and rebuilt the head for less than $300!! Like new now!
DSC_9813.jpg
DSC_9814.jpg
 
Re: A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration - Westerbeke valve job

See the resurrected generator video here

[video=youtube_share;9TLFomkMMiU]http://youtu.be/9TLFomkMMiU[/video]
 
Great job, Al... I'm now expecting you to build a custom sound box!!!! :grin:
 
Pietro said:
Great job, Al... I'm now expecting you to build a custom sound box!!!! :grin:
Click to expand...

I don't know about the custom sound box however I just ordered a Vitrifrigo refrigerator from Defender. Stainless Steel on sale for Fathers Day. Also ordered the PSS shaft seals just like yours. I also ordered a new style raw water pump for the Westerbeke 8BT. My friend - a professional marine diesel mechanic - told me to replace the old pump. The old pump has a only rubber lip seal. When it fails it floods the crankcase with salt water. The new style #48080 has a lip seal for the oil and a spring loaded carbon ceramic seal for the salt water. They changed the design in 2004. THe pump is available at depcopump.com and is $480 OUCH but cheap insurance on a generator that costs over 10 grand to replace.

See the service bulletin here:
http://www.westerbeke.com/PartsBulletins/Parts Bulletin 2004-1 Sea Water Pump 033636.pdf
 
Getting ready to install the generator tomorrow. Have a look at my new power distribution panels. One on each side. there are two 100A shunts that will display power draw on my digital ammeters for each engine plus a 250A shunt that is connected to my Xantrex LinkPro for monitoring my house battery. I will be installing three 8D AGM batteries and two Balmar 614H smart regulators. Not shown are the surface mount breakers for the battery charger feeds and the alternator feeds. Boat is now up to ABYC standards as close as I can get it anyway.

DSC_9841.jpg
DSC_9842.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,197
Messages
1,428,351
Members
61,103
Latest member
Navymustng
Back
Top