Official 390 E.C. Thread

I looked into drip less system but when I found the
Gortek packing I looked online and found all the likes by users I thought why spend the money for drip less. The Gortek even runs cooler. Wow I sound like a Gortek rep. No I don'twork for Gortek
 
I have replaced both the captains chair and the smaller helm seat. I purchased both shells from the companies that I found on this thread. Unfortunately, the 36" helm seat shell was not the correct shell to replace that which was on my boat originally. Maybe it was used on a different year 390.

In any event, if anyone needs a shell, I have one.
 
dakcpa01 said:
I have replaced both the captains chair and the smaller helm seat. I purchased both shells from the companies that I found on this thread. Unfortunately, the 36" helm seat shell was not the correct shell to replace that which was on my boat originally. Maybe it was used on a different year 390.

In any event, if anyone needs a shell, I have one.
Click to expand...

Do you think that it would fit my 1988 390? Please PM me with details.
 
Hi,
We recently bought a 1986 (repowered/refitted in 2009) 390 EC last August. We love the boat and I've enjoyed reading this thread.

Question: I am getting water in my forward bilge sump (where a/c and engines sea strainers are located) I removed water last summer and chalked it up to the a/c condenser draining in there. But over the winter with boat winterized/ sea cocks closed, I have noticed water continues to be there even after I have removed it. It's too slow to see a visible leak. Could it be rain water or do I have a leak somewhere. The float switch/bilge pump must be doing it's job because the water never gets too high, but never the less, it's unsettling.

any ideas? thanks in advance for the help.

-Brian
 
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bslenk said:
Hi,
We recently bought a 1986 (repowered/refitted in 2009) 390 EC last August. We love the boat and I've enjoyed reading this thread.

Question: I am getting water in my forward bilge sump (where a/c and engines sea strainers are located) I removed water last summer and chalked it up to the a/c condenser draining in there. But over the winter with boat winterized/ sea cocks closed, I have noticed water continues to be there even after I have removed it. It's too slow to see a visible leak. Could it be rain water or do I have a leak somewhere. The float switch/bilge pump must be doing it's job because the water never gets too high, but never the less, it's unsettling.

any ideas? thanks in advance for the help.

-Brian
Click to expand...

390EC's are notorious for leaking. I am assuming this is fresh water and not coolant or sea water. Were the strainers full of water when you put the boat up? They could leak. Water could backflow from the AC cooling lines if there was a leak in the pump etc.

The water tank on the forward side of the bulkhead corrodes through and leaks. Water often leaks in to the compartment below the water tank. The side windows leak. The A/C secondary drain, drains in to the forward bilge. The windsheild leaks via the windsheild wiper wire hole at the forward, starboard corner of the windsheild. The anchor rope locker leaks. All of the above leaks in to the bilge forward of the bulkhead where there is no drain or bilge pump. All of this is forward of the engine room bulkhead and may have rotted a hole in the bulkhead causing water to show up. The fresh water lines also pass through the bulkhead and could leak. Frankly I dont know where the water could be coming from in the engine room itself. I had to replace the stringers and floor along with the lower part of the engine room bulkhead.

See my web site, thread and photo gallery. I did a complete restoration of my 390.
 
Thanks for the info. The freshwater tank was drained/ lines purged for the winter so I believe the leak is not from the water tank nor do believe it is coming from the strainers. Is there anyway to gain access to the bilge forward of the engine room bulkhead to do an inspection? Assuming it's under the stairs if there is a way to inspect? I know the anchor locker leaks for sure and I have done a visual inspection and there is usually evidence of moisture, perhaps this is the culprit.
I've spent many hours on your website, impressive restoration!
thanks.
 
bslenk said:
Thanks for the info. The freshwater tank was drained/ lines purged for the winter so I believe the leak is not from the water tank nor do believe it is coming from the strainers. Is there anyway to gain access to the bilge forward of the engine room bulkhead to do an inspection? Assuming it's under the stairs if there is a way to inspect? I know the anchor locker leaks for sure and I have done a visual inspection and there is usually evidence of moisture, perhaps this is the culprit.
I've spent many hours on your website, impressive restoration!
thanks.
Click to expand...

All the spaces are filled with foam which holds water and promotes rot. I would start by drilling a 2" hole in the floor forward of the water tank and see if there is water in there. If there is - you can cut a 6" hole, dig out as much foam as possible to form a well. If the boat is sitting level, water will flow in to the well and you can pump it out. The water may drain for weeks or months due to the foam being saturated. If it is really flooded like mine was you probably have stringer rot. If the water is really smelly that is bad. It is probably not worth repairing - huge job. Don't go on any off shore trips! In any case to get rid of the smell and prevent more rot you can mix up a BoraCare (google it) solution and re flood the compartment and let it soak up for weeks or months. Then drain. Boracare is a Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate salt that kills fungus etc. I treated everything in my boat with it. It really kills the sewer smell and is not hazardous. Use it anywhere you have wood dampened by fresh water. Dont worry about wood wet with salt water - salt water preserves!
 
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Also ... if your sliding companionway door is exposed to the elements - it leaks too via the screws in the bottom track. Again it generally leaks in to the salon.
 
I appreciate the info. thanks.
 
electricaldoctor said:
Hopefully, it is right at the transmission and not at the cooler. Thanx for the info ... I'll dig out my manuals and let you know what I find.

~Ken
Click to expand...
Are you having an issue? Since the filter would be in the cooling line - a clogged filter would produce an overheating condition assuming the oil cooler was not clogged. Transmissions don't generate debris unless the fluid get contaminated. Soooooo my theory is - "If it ain't broke - don't fix it."
 
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