Official 400EC thread
- Thread starter Air O'Nautical
- Start date
I made a custom cabinet for smaller fridge, which right now is only an ac unit. This spring I'm buying an ac/dc unit. Made counter top with clear epoxy then trimmed it out. I like it more because it opens the galley more. I really did not need a large fridge. To me the original Sea Ray larger fridge looked like it was out of place with design.
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Great updates. That old upholstery looks similar to what I'm pulling out of my boat. I have the setee out of the boat and I bought some scrap material to do some practice sewing. I'm just waiting on samples so that I can order my vinyl and get sewing.
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Eluther3
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2019
- 291
- Boat Info
- 1992 Searay 400 EC
- Engines
- Mercruiser
Well folks, I just joined the club. Just bought a 1992 400 EC and I already love it. Will be pulling it out of the water shortly for a bottom job and to transfer to my home lake. Plan on having the engines and generators serviced as well. Any other maintenance you would suggest?
Welcome Eluther3! Sounds like you made a similar jump to me. I went from a Chaparral 280 to the 400EC. I loved the Chap but haven't regretted it for one minute. With the twin straight drives the 400 is just as easy to handle around the docks (maybe a little easier) and on busy weekends at The Lake of the Ozarks I can go anywhere and still have a comfortable ride.
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Eluther3
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2019
- 291
- Boat Info
- 1992 Searay 400 EC
- Engines
- Mercruiser
I agree. I've only driven the EC one day and I already feel more comfortable. With the single i/o setup in the Chap, I had no steering without power. Two engines and a rudder are a definite improvement!
Eluther3
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2019
- 291
- Boat Info
- 1992 Searay 400 EC
- Engines
- Mercruiser
Love the new fridge. I need to replace my fridge as well and wondering if I can use the AC only unit. Will be on shore power or generator most of the time. How is your AC unit working out?
Eluther3
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2019
- 291
- Boat Info
- 1992 Searay 400 EC
- Engines
- Mercruiser
OK here are some 400EC newbie questions
1. I always believe in having a complete toolbox on the boat so I was getting ready to purchase a new set of deep sockets when it occurred to me I don't know whether to purchase SAE or Metric. Are most of the bolts SAE?
2. I found a length of hose in one of the storage compartments in the galley. It looks like vacuum hose and I assumed the previous owner had a vacuum until I pictures of another 400EC with the same hose in an open galley compartment. What is the hose for?
3. Any of you use a portable grill on the boat? If so, where do you mount it?
1. I always believe in having a complete toolbox on the boat so I was getting ready to purchase a new set of deep sockets when it occurred to me I don't know whether to purchase SAE or Metric. Are most of the bolts SAE?
2. I found a length of hose in one of the storage compartments in the galley. It looks like vacuum hose and I assumed the previous owner had a vacuum until I pictures of another 400EC with the same hose in an open galley compartment. What is the hose for?
3. Any of you use a portable grill on the boat? If so, where do you mount it?
h_gerry
Well-Known Member
- Jun 19, 2013
- 1,338
- Boat Info
- 400 Express Cruiser - 1994 with
Raymarine RL80C, Northstar 6000i GPS
Kohler 5E
- Engines
- 454 Mercruiser Inboards
Welcome!
1. In my experience with my 400EC, most bolts are SAE. You might get an occasional metric bolt here and there, so having a combo socket set with the ratchet is a simple solution.
2. It is a vacuum hose, which should also have some attachments (brush head, carpet head, etc). The central vacuum is located under the left side of the double cabinet under the counter (below the microwave).
3. I use a Magma grill that I added a socket and pole on the swim platform. (pictures of this set up should be in this thread somewhere).
Any other questions, feel free to ask away.
h_gerry
Well-Known Member
- Jun 19, 2013
- 1,338
- Boat Info
- 400 Express Cruiser - 1994 with
Raymarine RL80C, Northstar 6000i GPS
Kohler 5E
- Engines
- 454 Mercruiser Inboards
Made some progress on one motor. Cores are ready to return.
Just need more time in the day and more days off from work.
Eluther3
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2019
- 291
- Boat Info
- 1992 Searay 400 EC
- Engines
- Mercruiser
Thanks Gerry
Gerry,
Do you have any other pictures showing the flywheel with the damper plate mounted? I have a DP going bad and am thinking about replacing it this spring but without pulling the engine. I've pulled an engine in my boat before, not that hard but just don't want to disconnect everything again. I think if plan accordingly I can slide back tranny with engine still mounted to stringers by front mounts and support rear. Just want to see a little more. Thanks in advance.
I replaced some stringers on my starboard side when I bought the boat. Really easy to pull engines in the 400. Had mine running 1.5 hours after I lifted it off pallet during reinstall. The stringer repair, well that's another story! LOL....Low cost $2,000 in materials, just a ton of work.
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Eluther3
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2019
- 291
- Boat Info
- 1992 Searay 400 EC
- Engines
- Mercruiser
Another newbie question - where do you all store the isinglass when you take it off? I was thinking about putting it under the mattress in the forward berth, which would allow it to lay flat. Is there a better option?
TitanTn
Active Member
- Jul 12, 2015
- 386
- Boat Info
- 1986 Saltare, 1998 400 Express
- Engines
- 454 direct drive; twin 3116TA
Sorry you had to do that, but the results look great. I hope I never have to pull mine, but on the other hand... to be able to clean the bilge out like that is nice!
TitanTn
Active Member
- Jul 12, 2015
- 386
- Boat Info
- 1986 Saltare, 1998 400 Express
- Engines
- 454 direct drive; twin 3116TA
I need help figuring out a replacement for the AC pump. Mine is bad.
The one currently in the boat is what I assume to be the original. PMP500 it says. I can't really find that model online at all. I can find a PMA500 and those equivalent to it, but here is the issue.
The PMA500 is air cooled and can be mounted above the waterline. Mine current one is liquid cooled. I've found what looks to be a March replacement for the one I have, but it looks like all of the liquid cooled models require being installed below the waterline. My current one is not.
I assume I should have the liquid cooled model because this is mounted in the engine room. So did Sea Ray improperly install my pump above the waterline and it's been working all these years? Anyone go through this?
The one currently in the boat is what I assume to be the original. PMP500 it says. I can't really find that model online at all. I can find a PMA500 and those equivalent to it, but here is the issue.
The PMA500 is air cooled and can be mounted above the waterline. Mine current one is liquid cooled. I've found what looks to be a March replacement for the one I have, but it looks like all of the liquid cooled models require being installed below the waterline. My current one is not.
I assume I should have the liquid cooled model because this is mounted in the engine room. So did Sea Ray improperly install my pump above the waterline and it's been working all these years? Anyone go through this?
TitanTn
Active Member
- Jul 12, 2015
- 386
- Boat Info
- 1986 Saltare, 1998 400 Express
- Engines
- 454 direct drive; twin 3116TA
I've been thinking about this overnight. While my pump is above the actual waterline, I do think the strainer might actually be JUST above the pump. So in that case the pump is below its water source. So I'm ordering the liquid cooled pump like the original. We'll see what happens.
h_gerry
Well-Known Member
- Jun 19, 2013
- 1,338
- Boat Info
- 400 Express Cruiser - 1994 with
Raymarine RL80C, Northstar 6000i GPS
Kohler 5E
- Engines
- 454 Mercruiser Inboards
Greg,
I don't think I took any of the flywheel and damper plate on the motor, but here is what I have:
What you are considering could be doable. The tranny would need to come back about 6" or so to get the input shaft clear of the DP. You are going to have to lift the back end of the motor up pretty high to get the coupler clear of the prop shaft. The tranny is manageable in weight to get it out of the way so you can access the bolts (6 in total I believe) holding the DP to the flywheel. You might need to twist the tranny a bit (clockwise / counter-clockwise to get the splines aligned) when you are reinstalling it. (torque to 35 ft. lbs. when reinstalling) Don't forget, there is a flywheel housing bolt to the block behind the starter, so take the starter off too.
Good luck!
Harold
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