Nater Potater's Build Thread

I figured that, since I bought two t'stat kits, I might as well replace the starboard's. How stupid could I be? Once it was apart, it hit me hard that I'd assembled the port engine in the wrong order! Going by muscle memory, all SBC's have their t'stats set in that nice circular recess in the intake manifold.
IMG-2969.jpg

Damn! On a Mercruiser, it's supposed to fit centrally in the housing. I guess I shouldn't rely entirely on forty-five-year-old memories. The sad part was that the nifty brass collars were so fused to the cast iron housings that I had to destroy them, only to be replaced by these cheesy plastic sleeves.
IMG-2975.jpg

T'stats are all back together, but I got called to halibut dinner. That trumps the boat anytime! I think tomorrow will bring the decals to light. Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel!
 
JHornsby3 said:
Halibut and crab trump working on the boat? Then leave the boat there and come on over here. We can go get it fresh. From my boat.:D:D:D
Click to expand...
M-m-m, crab! 'Last time we were in the Seattle area, we were about two weeks before crabbing season. Not happy!
 
Seattle?

There has been very good results this year. Crab outside of Newport have been big and many.

Tuna are hot now too. From less than a mile out, to 40 miles out.

Halibut as well.
 
I need to replace my T Stats as well. I couldn't get the brass collar out, so I just put it back together! I got the plastic replacements and may try that again. One engine has a new impeller and seems to run a bit warm at idle. I might just try flushing it by removing the manifold and block brass plugs. I haven't winterized it in a few years and I'm guessing I have some build up that might be impeding the flow. I hope it's that simple anyway!

Great job on the outdrive paint and working through the rest of your issues! It will be ready for the Snake River cruise!
 
Sundancer said:
I need to replace my T Stats as well. I couldn't get the brass collar out, so I just put it back together!
Click to expand...
Yep; sucks. Get an IR thermometer to verify that the readings on your gauges jive with what you see on the engine blocks. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to pull all the drain plugs and fire up the engines to let the sludge spew forth.

This evening was filled with running the engines again to verify no leaks from the recently replaced thermostat housings, while also allowing me to "fine-tune" the shift cables. I feel much more confident about their operation than last year when we lost the one while trying to launch. It sure feels good to hear those V8's running! As for my concerns over the water flow seen at the outdrives, as @JHornsby3 mentioned, not so much coming from the prop hubs as compared to the exhaust holes in the transom rings. Again, I'm relying on forty-five-year-old memories of working on Alpha Gen 1's that run a lot more out the props than the Gen 2's do. Don't worry; I'll settle down as I slowly get this thing figured out.
I'm taking the outdrive decals to work tomorrow to see what luck I have with etching the serial numbers into them with the laser scriber, then giving her the once-over in hopes of launching Wednesday. If you don't here from me, send the Coast Guard...
 
After this about the water flow from the hub, I checked the pre Alpha. It's the same. Most of the water is flowing from exhaust ports with most of the gasses flowing from the hub. There is trickle at idle. But more comes out the hub at over 1200rpm. On both boats.
 
All hitched up and ready for tomorrow's launch! Finally cut the winter wrap away.
It's a lo-o-ong way up there if I was to fall.
IMG-4124.jpg


It's sure nice to see it out in the open again.
IMG-4126.jpg


I was able to laser-scribe serial numbers into the decals, so maybe they'll go on this weekend. Assuming things go well tomorrow, I can relax a bit with this project. Still to do:
1) Generator - still won't stay running.
2) New shower sump pump. Just need to finish the install.
3) Decals. Yes, decals. Obviously not a priority.
 
I need to do a frame like that for winter tarping. I really hate losing my saw horses for the winter. But I worry about scratching the deck up. Never know what the wind will do here.

As for decals, I think I'm going to lose all but the boot stripe. Or maybe I should just do like the new people down the road. Just bottom coat the whole damn thing. Seriously, they did a complete bottom coat to the whole boat. Bayliner owners these days.......
 
JHornsby3 said:
...I worry about scratching the deck up. Never know what the wind will do here.
Click to expand...
I put sections of carpet down under the feet of the triagle supports, after I had screwed 2X4X18" "feet" under the legs of the triangles. It didn't appear to do the non-skid decking any harm. I'll get you a picture of them tomorrow.
JHornsby3 said:
Just bottom coat the whole damn thing. Seriously, they did a complete bottom coat to the whole boat. Bayliner owners these days.......
Click to expand...
Really? Why not just Rhino-line the whole damn thing and call it good?!
 
JHornsby3 said:
I need to do a frame like that for winter tarping. I really hate losing my saw horses for the winter. But I worry about scratching the deck up. Never know what the wind will do here.

As for decals, I think I'm going to lose all but the boot stripe. Or maybe I should just do like the new people down the road. Just bottom coat the whole damn thing. Seriously, they did a complete bottom coat to the whole boat. Bayliner owners these days.......
Click to expand...
Just use these along with the 2x4's the size you need. That was what I used back when I tarped my own boat. I set up 3 sets. One on the swim platform, one in the cockpit as far forward as possible and one on the bow. The 2x3 "stringers" were set high enough for snow to slide off and the last one angled down to the tip of the bow. You just set up and screw in the cross brace so the legs are at the right width for stability. In spring it comes apart easily and you keep it all together for the next winter.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-5-5-in-10-Compartment-Sawhorse-Bracket-SH107/202533538
hdx-saw-horses-sh107-64_100.jpg
 
I'm looking at just picking up 4 sissor trusses and 6 poles. That and the 24 2x6s will only run me about $1200. I can pick up truck tarps for free from a buddy. Then I would have a semi permanent cover. Then I shouldn't need to tarp again.

I also have a Douglas Fir tree about 15 feet behind the boat parking. I have been wanting to remove that damn thing. It was a live Christmas tree planted by the original owners to the property back in the 30s or 40s. The base is 6' plus and the top has fallen out several times. So it's only about 60' tall. But the thing drops needles all over the place. Maybe just have it cut for lumber and only pay $300 for the trusses.

Things to ponder and add to the list of things to do.
 
Successful launch! Lucky Peak is already down quite a ways, so we had a pretty long trip backing down the ramp. No biggie. My plans for middle of the day/middle of the week worked, as there was only three other boats out on the lake with us. Here I am in my CSR shirt and PNW hat trying out the outdrives to make sure they shift as they should:
The one time we were able to run last year, neither engine would take full throttle. I figured the carbs would have to come apart. I'm happy to report that both engines ran right on up to 4400 rpm, giving us a GPS 38 mph! Maybe they liked the Seafoam?
John, I forgot to take a picture of the tarp support. I'll try for tomorrow.
So, the boat floats and runs out very well. Now that the pressure's off (to an extent), we can focus efforts on the generator. That is, not until we get the outdrive decals placed (yeah, whatever).
 
Nater,

All of that work paid off AND it's going to look pretty spiffy with the repainted outdrives and new decals! It looks good in the water and I'm sure you are anxious to spend some time in it ON the water! Looking forward to the trip and seeing your boat! I'm just an old flat glass boat owner, but I love it! Someday it would be nice to have a generator, heat and A/C and a windlass for the hook. At that point it would be cheaper to buy a different boat. I love this one though and I'll suffer through without all those modern conveniences!! Congrats on the successful launch!!
 
Good to see you out there Nater. I couldn't see it in the video but I could imagine the big smile on you face. I'm finally having my cables done today so hopefully, I will get out tmro. Been on dry dock for almost a month. Having withdrawal.
 
Still Shear Pleasure said:
:(:( Mechanic just called. Said he couldn't get to my boat until tmro or Saturday. I had such great plans for the weekend. Best laid plans. Man makes plans, God chuckles:D.
Click to expand...
Lower shift cables? Those are pretty easy. Get out and do them. The new cables are easy to adjust. It's those old pre Alpha that are hard. The newer ones are all by measurement then fine adjusting. Hard part is removing the drives and not dropping them on your foot
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,197
Messages
1,428,332
Members
61,103
Latest member
Navymustng
Back
Top