Official 390 E.C. Thread

Hey ssousa, please send me pics and anything else that you might have. We just put our boat up for the winter and I have the side windows at home in my basement. I've got all winter to get them ready so I will accept any and all advice on this project. I might even replace the smoked glass while I'm at it.

~Ken
 
MinnesotaJim said:
I just bought my 1988 390 express cruiser 2 months ago and figured that I'd save some money and change the oil myself. I purchased a jabsco motorized oil pump and removed the oil through the dipstick tube (was informed this was easiest and cleanest way to change the oil). Unfortunately I was only able to remove about 3 qts per motor, according to my manual the 7.4 L motors should have had at least 6 qts to remove. Has anyone else run into this problem? I warmed the motor for 5 minutes prior to oil removal and am positive I felt the plastic suction hose hit the bottom of the oil pan. What was I doing wrong? Thanks for your advice guys!
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5 minutes isn't nearly enough. It takes a LONG time to get the big blocks hot enough for the oil to flow out the dipstick easily. For me it takes 15-20mins per motor.
 
ssousa said:
I just re bedded the side windows on my 86 390. I thought it would be a massive job, was nothing to it. On the port side the previous owner did use 3m 4200 on the very forward section of the window, so getting that off took the most time. I also took the time to polish the aluminum frames while I had them off the boat. Very easy job and ohh what a wonderful life it is when your boat is not raining inside

fyi

Can you explain the polishing process of the window frames for us? There is also a ton of clear silicone to get off the frames. Other than old fashioned elbow grease, is there a product to make the removal any easier?
P.S if you want the pics she sent let me know and I will post those also.

Here's what i found on that windshield. I have also attached pictures of each

On the main windshield we used
Screw Cover 8338920 $3.16 per foot comes in 12' sections
Glazing vinyl 8337920 $2.61 per foot
Hinge cover 8229900 $2.28 per foot
Wire track 8233230 $2.18 per foot

On the side windows
Glazing Vinyl 8337920 $2.61 per foot​
Screw Cover 8338950 $2.61 per foot comes in 11' sections

Portlights are not ours
Theresa Havlick
Taylor Made Systems
Taylor Made Group, LLC
Customer Service
93 South Blvd
Gloversville, NY 12078
518-773-9449​

​
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Can you explain the polishing process of the window frames for us? There is also a ton of clear silicone to get off the frames. Other than old fashioned elbow grease, is there a product available to make the removal any easier?



​
 
I just ran across you post. I don't have a source for the motor assembly, but I can help you get the arm off the motor shaft. The shaft is not threaded, its smooth. the arm slides onto the shaft and there is a metal tab attached to the arm that lock the arm on the shaft. The make a tool that pulls the tab away from the shaft so that the arm can be lifted off. I just used a screwdriver to push the tab out of the way so I could lift the arm off.

Hope that helps
Scott
 
Sorry for the late reply.

I cleaned the aluminum with a degreaser, then I hand sanded with wet sand paper to 1500 grit. I then used my drill with a buffing pad on it and aluminum polish. It is a real pain to get in the cracks, I decided that the surface was good enough.
 
ssousa said:
Sorry for the late reply.

I cleaned the aluminum with a degreaser, then I hand sanded with wet sand paper to 1500 grit. I then used my drill with a buffing pad on it and aluminum polish. It is a real pain to get in the cracks, I decided that the surface was good enough.
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are you going to re-spray it? I did, and now some corrosion is coming up beneath the varnish!!! :smt013
 
I am not going to put a finish on it. I will simply polish it a couple times a year. I feared what you confirmed with your post on corrosion!

I am also happy to report that we did a weekend trip, just got back. Left on Friday up the Chesapeake bay with 8' seas for 60 miles to Urbana, VA. While it was not the best water, the boat handles like a dream! Got back this afternoon, much better seas at 3'-4' and winds at 8kts (much better than the 25kts winds on Friday).
I am going to pull the wheels off the boat now and see if I can get them tuned as I am still not getting the speed I should (17kts at 2500rpm). Also happy to say I had NO leaks in the boat, I figured all the water we took over the boat there would be one or two.
 
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dayonthebay.jpgnew boat name.jpg

New name on boat and a great day on the bay!
 
docofthebay said:
2500 rpms you should be making 23-26 mph in good water. When my bottom ( the boat's) gets dirty it will knock 2-3 mph off.
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Yea, I figure I'll get a little shy of that because my 3208's are only 300HP. I am pullying the wheels off next week to take in. I dove the boat the the day before we left so running gear and bottom are real clean. I think the guy I got the boat from put the wheels on in 2000 and never touched them again.

Love the boat though!!!
 
Hello, I finally pulled the trigger on an '88 390. I've always loved the lines and the layout of the older 390EC's. After a very rigorous survey I am confident that this boat is as solid as I'll get for the year and model. Thanks for the input from all of you that have posted on this thread.
 
Avenger said:
Hello, I finally pulled the trigger on an '88 390. I've always loved the lines and the layout of the older 390EC's. After a very rigorous survey I am confident that this boat is as solid as I'll get for the year and model. Thanks for the input from all of you that have posted on this thread.
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Welcome to the club!!! Good luck with your new 390, it's a great boat. Diesel or gas?
 
Pietro said:
Welcome to the club!!! Good luck with your new 390, it's a great boat. Diesel or gas?
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She's a gasser. I was looking for diesel models but they were either to far away, priced to high, or in need of work. This particular 390 is bone stock, has been a single owner boat and has been native to my area for her entire life. It's actually in a buidling 10 minutes from my home. 468hrs, always stored inside during the off season. Upgrading the canvas is the first item on the list along with a good detail.
 

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Welcome to the 390 Express club, we bought ours in 03 and have loved it, maybe we will cross paths in August, we normally make a two week run to Mackinaw Island. lots of good information here that I have used over the years.
 
Any information on where i can find a replacement to the Port side back rest to the rear seat. its molded wood. thanks
 
Has anyone installed the Plasteak Bow Insert, I am upgrading my windlass and thought about getting rid of the wood in the process. If you did do you have any photos.
 
slillz48047,

That looks great!, thanks for the response and photos, did you use any adhesive when you installed or just the 4 screws and other hardware. I am going to order the bow insert today!
 
i filled all of the old holes from the original pulpit pieces with 4200, and then used 4200 in the holes for the 4 holes that i used to secure it.
i did not put anything underneath it adhesive wise, but i am installing a new windlass this winter and will probably take that opportunity to use some 4200 underneath it was well, it cant hurt.
 
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