Official 330 Express Cruiser / 340 Amberjack 1997-2003 Thread

[West32]

I bought a new Navionics Platinum Chip. Not sure about the C90w's chip. It works great and with the axiom's ability to update via a Hotspot, the Navionics will update as well.. pretty cool...

 

[mleone101]

Has anybody put seadeck on their platform?

 

[mleone101]

I need your guys opinion on something, I’ve been talking to a few guys about a little problem I’m having. When I start the boat I’m getting a little blow by out the exhaust, it’s not the oil or transmission coolers because I replaced them at the begin of the season. I’m wondering if it could be my oil weight, I’m running the recommended mercruiser 25-40w. I replaced the spark plugs cap rotor I didn’t replace plugs yet. The motors are mercruiser magnum horizon 454’s with about 850 hours. I’m just wondering what you guys think.. thanks

 

[West32]

Is it just smoke or do you see oil? These motors do not have a choke, so they richen up the mixture to start. You will have a little smoke on startup just because the choking method.
Mine have a little color to the exhaust on startup, but it clears up fast

 

[mleone101]

Motors fire rate up sound awesome, oil is rate where it suppose to be.. I just get a little sheen it’s probably a couple drops but you know what that looks like in the water.. My mechanic said it could be valve guides or a leaky injector he keeps tell me “not to worry about it if it goes away and runs good leave it alone”

 

[joeyleggz]

Is it just smoke or do you see oil? These motors do not have a choke, so they richen up the mixture to start. You will have a little smoke on startup just because the choking method.
Mine have a little color to the exhaust on startup, but it clears up fast

Yep same here even after two fresh motors

 

[mleone101]

So I’m wondering since I’m at 850 hours should I stick with the mercruiser 25-40w or should i go with a thicker oil to see if the blow by stops ?..

 

[joeyleggz]

So I’m wondering since I’m at 850 hours should I stick with the mercruiser 25-40w or should i go with a thicker oil to see if the blow by stops ?..

I run rotella 15-40 , however if you think you’re having blow by, while the engine is hot and running pop your oil filler vent cap and take a look and see if it’s puffing. mine smokes and slight sheen out the exhaust ever so slightly for the first four or five minutes on start up that’s it. The only reason that can cause that is a rich mixture which we said is most likely, or the valve guides are leaking and you have a touch of oil in the combustion chamber that’s burning off ....highly unlikely ,if you’re concerned do a compression test

 

[mleone101]

So spring is coming quick and I just picked up a JL 10” sub with a mono 300/1 JL amp and I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice. My current audio is a fusion headunit with a JL 400/4 powering 4 JL 6.5’s. I plan on putting the sub on the port side infront of the seat, my question is where should I install the amplifier? And does anybody have pictures or advice how to run the wires. Thanks guys

 

[uplander]

I have a pretty similar setup. Fusion head, (4) JL 6.5, and (2) JL 10s. Each 10 is mounted at midpoint on port and starboard side of seat, firing forward.

I have one amp powering it all. (JL M1000/5). The amp is mounted in the map cabinet in the cabin. I think you could fit your 4 channel and sub amp there as well. The class D JL amps don’t generate much heat, so you can get by in the somewhat tight space.

 

[mleone101]

When your out anchored and have the radio going do you run your generator? The reason I ask is I’m having problems with my 4.5 Westerbeke and I’m either going to replace it with a Kohler or rebuild the one I have. I’m just not sure when that is going to happen.

 

[uplander]

My amp is wired off my starboard motor battery bank (2 size 31s) which is also my house battery bank. I’ve never had an issue with the batteries after running the stereo for a few hours pretty loud when backed up to our beach. Out of caution I usually run the motor a bit after (4) hours to charge the batteries. Not sure how much it even charges at idle speed.

The Class D amps of today are pretty efficient. They are MUCH better than the equipment I had in cars in my teens 25+years ago.

Worst case: battery is drained. Fire up other motor. Use emergency jump to start motor with amp drained battery.

 

[mleone101]

So I’ve been told by a boat mechanic if the transmission fluid is clean leave it alone.. I’m just wondering has anybody changed their fluid and what type is the best to use and what was the procedure to change. Thanks guys

 

[West32]

I was told by ZF directly to use Mobil 424 in my transmissions. I put 300 - 400 hours a year and I change my fluid every other year.

 

[Ben1553]

Does anyone have the overall height (keel to arch or light) for a 2001 340 AJ?

 

[uplander]

I'd expect these dimensions to be the same on a AJ. I have a EC and a dock neighbor has a AJ.

 

[mleone101]

So I’ve noticed my windshield frame is getting pretty bad with corrosion, I was wondering if anybody knows which models of our boat had the same windshield frame? The main corrosion is on the middle window with the vent window i would like to replace it if anybody knows or has done it. Thanks guys

 

[Turtlegolfs]

New owner of a 2000 330 Express Cruiser. Twin 454 (380 hp) with 371 hours . Survey came back with only a few suggested items to address. Are there any items I should look for that you Guys have ran into durning your years of owning this boat? Any suggestions are appreciated

 

[mleone101]

Does anybody know off hand what part number our windshield wiper blades are?

 

[uplander]

New cabin stairs almost done. Was hoping to have these done a week ago, but had to redo the base because I didn’t account for the reduced size without the carpet. Ended up having to rip the base in half, and an inch of width and re-laminate. (And had to order a new piece of laminate!!).

Was very irate when I went to install base a week ago....

Off white laminate on the vertical and Brazilian teak treads (Cumaru).