Getting to engines

[Ariemoller]

Hi All,

So I have a 1988 Sea Ray Express Cruiser 390. Want to do some engine work but since the access doors are under the seats, don't see anyway to do that without removing the helm and port seats. Is there an easy way to do that? Don't really see any way to get them off.

 

[bahamabreisus]

If your seat assemblies are fiberglass, you should be able to remove them without removing seats. Not sure if you have wood frames. Lift from rear and tilt and twist.

 

[hottoddie]

The engine hatches can be removed with either type of seating. Lift the rear of the engine hatch up 4-6 inches, as you pull it slightly rearward rock it side to side a little and it will release and slide backwards for removal.

 

[Ariemoller]

The engine hatches can be removed with either type of seating. Lift the rear of the engine hatch up 4-6 inches, as you pull it slightly rearward rock it side to side a little and it will release and slide backwards for removal.

Thank hottodie. I can remove the hatches no problem, it's getting to the outside risers that's the issue and for that need to remove the seats. Unfortunately, mine are not the fiberglass seats but the older plywood ones.

 

[Ariemoller]

Nope mine are the wood ones, might actually replace with fiberglass ones if I can find them somewhere for not to much.

 

[fwebster]

You can get to them....it isn't fun, but I changed 3 sets over the time I owned my '88 390EC and never even thought about removing the seat bases.

 

[Ariemoller]

You can get to them....it isn't fun, but I changed 3 sets over the time I owned my '88 390EC and never even thought about removing the seat bases.

fwebster thanks that's reassuring. Just curious though. Mine was repowered with Merc Horizon 8.1 so not the original engines so think they're a little bigger. Guess years of yoga are going to come in handy

Think it would be easier since there's a bunch of other stuff that it would make life easier for. Going to pull the port heat exchanger since it's got a little leak and want to pressure test it.

Since you sound like you're had some good success with that. What risers do you use Barr, Osco, etc.

 

[Ariemoller]

BTW this is a picture of the engine with both panels off. Really tight squeeze without taking the seat off.

 

[Ariemoller]

 

[fwebster]

I would only use Mercruiser OEM castings. Here is an old post of mine from a few years ago that explains why:



04-26-2011, 10:15 AM
I had a 390EC a few years ago that needed risers. The cost differential between OEM and Barr was too much to pass up. Their warranty read ok, so we used Barr risers. They lasted only 2 years. Thankfully, I am conservative and pulled them off just before the 2nd season to check them. They were rusty and already leaking and looked like the OEM risers at 5 years. I am also a long term type of guy and make boat decisions that way. I had all the 2 year Barr fun I wanted, so we immediately ordered new Mercruiser risers, got them in 2 days and were back on the water immdediately.

However, I did return the Barr parts to them for consideration under their warranty. They were good to their word and said after inspection by their QC people, they would let me know if they would cover the risers. So, 8 weeks later, they called and said they would prorate the riser cost and would send me a check for the prorated amount if I ordered new Barr risers from my dealer. I thanked them and asked them to send me the check since we weren't waiting for them and had repaired the boat 2 months ago. I received my $90 check in another month.

Now this may just be my experience with Barr, but I was getting 5 years our of sea water cooled Merc castings and only got 2 years out of Barr, but the most worry-some part of this is that their warranty is next to useless if they expect you to wait 2 months for replacements due to early failure. Up there where you are, your season will be 1/2 used up waiting on replacements. Even so, I consider myself extremely lucky.........what if I had not checked the risers before the 2nd season? They were already leaking and I would have been replacing an engine in a matter of a week or 2.


fwebster

 

[Saverio]

Should be enough room
sometimes I lay a moving blanket on the motors and reach over to do the sea water pump

 

[Ariemoller]

I would only use Mercruiser OEM castings. Here is an old post of mine from a few years ago that explains why:



04-26-2011, 10:15 AM
I had a 390EC a few years ago that needed risers. The cost differential between OEM and Barr was too much to pass up. Their warranty read ok, so we used Barr risers. They lasted only 2 years. Thankfully, I am conservative and pulled them off just before the 2nd season to check them. They were rusty and already leaking and looked like the OEM risers at 5 years. I am also a long term type of guy and make boat decisions that way. I had all the 2 year Barr fun I wanted, so we immediately ordered new Mercruiser risers, got them in 2 days and were back on the water immdediately.

However, I did return the Barr parts to them for consideration under their warranty. They were good to their word and said after inspection by their QC people, they would let me know if they would cover the risers. So, 8 weeks later, they called and said they would prorate the riser cost and would send me a check for the prorated amount if I ordered new Barr risers from my dealer. I thanked them and asked them to send me the check since we weren't waiting for them and had repaired the boat 2 months ago. I received my $90 check in another month.

Now this may just be my experience with Barr, but I was getting 5 years our of sea water cooled Merc castings and only got 2 years out of Barr, but the most worry-some part of this is that their warranty is next to useless if they expect you to wait 2 months for replacements due to early failure. Up there where you are, your season will be 1/2 used up waiting on replacements. Even so, I consider myself extremely lucky.........what if I had not checked the risers before the 2nd season? They were already leaking and I would have been replacing an engine in a matter of a week or 2.


fwebster

Jeez that is not reassuring at all. OK thanks for that. Will go OEM then.

 

[nickdcj7]

Small world... Is this the 390 with 8.1's that was for sale in Port Washington, NY? If so, I called to go see it liek the day after you signed contracts on it, and it's actually still listed on yachtworld. Congrats, that one looked like a really nice piece.

 

[Ariemoller]

LOL Yes small world indeed Yes that would be the one. It's a pretty sweet boat. Got her over in Jersey City now at Newport Marina.

 

[nickdcj7]

You should post some pics here. We'd all love to see it.

 

[electricaldoctor]

The Yachtworld pics are not all that great.