Is anybody upgrading/repairing their boat??

[kimswang]

No post on here for a while so I thought I might get something good going. I have collected parts all winter, but have not had much time to do any projects. Had a couple of days off and got started with the back seat. I will also replace the ignition on my RH engine, get new kill switches installed, and finally get all my live wells running, controlled with timers, and lit up.. I have also tried to get a hold of Vegas Hallet (Jeff) to do some welding, if you see him, tell him to call me.. Here is a few pictures of the seat in progress. It will be covered in white to match the rest and the consoles / cupholder / armrests on the ends will be the same blue as the rest with some embroidery on...

http://aycu01.webshots.com/image/44200/2005119848241760228_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005119848241760228)

http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/42682/2005164760176552326_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005164760176552326)

http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/45608/2005174493285612565_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005174493285612565)

[sandman0_0]

Started out pulling the motor and out drive so I could replace the steering tiller seal.( It was leaking pretty bad.) I replaced every seal,bushing and the tiller pin with a S/S one. Then I decided that as long as the motor was out I should add a transom pick-up and sea strainer. While as long as I have gone this far I couldn't put the old 454 MAG back in. So I replaced that with a 502 Ram Air.I am still working on it. I HOPE to have it back together by the end of March.I also replaced a ton of other odds & ends.

That seat looks really nice.

[kimswang]

Started out pulling the motor and out drive so I could replace the steering tiller seal.( It was leaking pretty bad.) I replaced every seal,bushing and the tiller pin with a S/S one. Then I decided that as long as the motor was out I should add a transom pick and sea strainer. While as long as I have gone this far I couldn't put the old 454 MAG back in. So I replaced that with a 502 Ram Air.I am still working on it. I HOPE to have it back together by the end of March.I also replaced a ton of other odds & ends.

That seat looks really nice.

Sounds like a cool project, post some pictures... I hope to have the seat done during my next off period and will post some more pics then...

[sandman0_0]

This is the motor when its done. I am still rigging the thermo controlled oil cooler,remote oil filter,fuel lines and the rest of the plumbing. I had no idea the were so many different types of fittings. (JIC,Boss,etc.)I also added the water pump bypass.I still have a lot of cleaning up to do on the brackets and stuff. The engine has the AZ speed and Marine intake Crane 731, and Gold roller rockers, I have been working on it sence November. I had to add a fuel return line so I had to remove the entire interior to get the floor out over the tank to install a return line fitting. So I still have a long way to go. As soon as I set the strainer I will post pics of that set up. I am thinking I might try to install the line from the pressure relief in the bottom of the swim platform so it acts like a secondary shower on the drive? Not sure about that location yet. I plugged the water line from the drive and drilled an tapped the drive to shower the drive with that water too. With that and the shower I probably have plenty of water on the drive.

[hkunz]

I've been working up the courage to mess with my motor - I got a Masterlube kit last fall and can't bring myself to break into the oils lines to hook it up. I already cut into the hull to install the GPS/sonar, but messing with the motor, that project hasn't happened yet. Glad to see you guys are getting into it, I like working on my own boat (car, Jeep).

[Liquid Courage]

Started out pulling the motor and out drive so I could replace the steering tiller seal.( It was leaking pretty bad.) I replaced every seal,bushing and the tiller pin with a S/S one. Then I decided that as long as the motor was out I should add a transom pick and sea strainer. While as long as I have gone this far I couldn't put the old 454 MAG back in. So I replaced that with a 502 Ram Air.I am still working on it. I HOPE to have it back together by the end of March.I also replaced a ton of other odds & ends.

That seat looks really nice.

This may hurt your feeling, but you can do all that from the transom. I had the same problem last season. Took about 4 hours start to finish and fixed my leak. Where did you get the motor from? I would love a 502. What are you going to do with the 454 Mag? It is still complete?

Keith

[STV_Keith]

Well, the Scarab is getting a complete repower basically. I'm having Monty Racing in FL build two new powerheads, repainting the midsections and lower cowl pans, adapting Mercury CLE lower units to replace the Johnson lowers, adding hydraulic jack plates, changing out the steering helm for a higher volume one and swapping my OMC binnacle controls for twin stick Livorsi units.

Also replacing both engine batteries with new Optimas and new billet battery boxes, and going to add another billet box and Optima for the stereo bank.

Plenty to keep my busy for the next 2 months or so.

[sandman0_0]

This may hurt your feeling, but you can do all that from the transom. I had the same problem last season. Took about 4 hours start to finish and fixed my leak. Where did you get the motor from? I would love a 502. What are you going to do with the 454 Mag? It is still complete?

Keith

I looked at the kits from JR Marine and such, But I really wasn't all that pleased with the way it looked when complete. The little plate screwed on the transom housing bugged me. As it turned out I replaced the pin with a stainless Steel one too. The old pin was pitted so bad its no wonder it leaked so bad.The unit is solid as new now. Every Bellow,Bushing and seal replaced. I think if it was something that had to be replaced every 2 or 3 years I would have gone with the kit.I hope by using the S/S pin I should be set for a long time. I sold the 454 MAG on ebay as a complete package.

[sandman0_0]

This bear is getting closer, I am waiting for a couple more S/S fitting to come in and the flush kit then I will be able to get this installed. I ran a 16AN S/S braided line from the transom pick up to the strainer. I will post a picture when I get it plumed in. I found a good website for S/S fittings. I couldn't find a local vendor that has much of an inventory in S/S fittings.

[sandman0_0]

Where did you get the motor from? I would love a 502.

Keith

I got a great deal on the motor from a guy that works in another division of the company I work for. He bought the motor from E.F.I. engineering in michigan. He had the engine all built to what he wanted for a boat very simular to mine. Right after he got the motor some SOB stole his boat. So he sold me the motor.

[FUN4ME]

Along with the stereo, I mounted two fire extinguishers and added some Boat Buckles
(they are retractable transom tie downs) on custom (home made) brackets to the trailer.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167/ewutzler/IMG_28271.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167/ewutzler/IMG_2826_edited-1.jpg

[kimswang]

Well, here is the backseat ready for some vinyl. All the vinyl is cut and I will visit Bill to have him stich it up for me in matching colors (White, Royal, and Grey)... With six cupholders and right next to the blender it should be a welcome addition for my guests..
http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/46688/2004294320082299478_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004294320082299478)

[kimswang]

I also cleaned up my "cockpit" a little bit and the empty holes below the ignition keys are for 3 kill switches and the big hole will get a "sniffer"... Please note the cool key chains...:D I am also working on getting the separate alarms to work for my engines. These will work totally independent of the gauges and have their own power so it should be fool proof (note the small LED's between the tachs as well as right over the steering wheel..)
http://aycu13.webshots.com/image/45172/2002064101374723991_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002064101374723991)
The "cockpit looked like this a year ago:
http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/46469/2001641781266211693_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2001641781266211693)

[STV_Keith]

It's a really good thing you actually DO fly airplanes. LOL.

[sandman0_0]

[QUOTE=kimswang;136184]I also cleaned up my "cockpit" a little bit
QUOTE]

So do all three motors work off a single common trim switch? That is a really clean set up. You did a great job It looks nice.

[kimswang]

[QUOTE=kimswang;136184]I also cleaned up my "cockpit" a little bit
QUOTE]

So do all three motors work off a single common trim switch? That is a really clean set up. You did a great job It looks nice.

Yeah, took a few diodes and some relays but the switch on the throttles actuates all three engines simontaneously. I also have independent switches for each motor directly in front of the throttles that I can easely reach without letting my hand off the throttles (at WOT). In addition, I connected the trim/tilt switch on the Right side of the right engine to tilt all of them simultaneously as well to make it easier when the boat is on the trailer...

[STV_Keith]

Well, got a bit of stuff done today. Got the jackplates installed...

http://www.speedcraving.com/scarab/Upgrades08/jackplates02.jpg


Also got the new fuel pumps and mechanical fuel pressure gauges for testing put in. The electric FP gauges are still in the dash...

http://www.speedcraving.com/scarab/Upgrades08/stb-transom01.jpg


Also got the Livorsi throttles mounted. Don't have the cables to hook up yet, but they're in...
http://www.speedcraving.com/scarab/Upgrades08/console01.jpg

[kimswang]

That looks AWESOME Keith. On your throttles are the two switches for up/down and in/out?

[STV_Keith]

One switch for each motor, trim only.

[kimswang]

Hey, Keith I got so inspired by your CC that I made a new door on the back of mine to match yours... Well, at least I have a foot rest when I cruise sitting down. Here is the start of the production, it will be all white, get a teak plate where the feet go and some LED to light it up... On the backside it will get a room for the "flare" gun, and other neccessities...
http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/49499/2006324712714859685_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006324712714859685)

http://aycu17.webshots.com/image/47296/2006338308534092834_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006338308534092834)

[kevnmcd]

Gotta hand it to ya, Kim. You will try doing just about anything! I have been known to do a lot of stuff myself on the boat, but you take "doing it yourself" to a whole new level! Good job!

[kimswang]

Gotta hand it to ya, Kim. You will try doing just about anything! I have been known to do a lot of stuff myself on the boat, but you take "doing it yourself" to a whole new level! Good job!

Thanks. Funny thing is, I have just about as much fun making everything work as using it. Also, if I can use some of my experience helping others, I have a blast doing that as well. If you sell that boat of yours, rest assured I have room for you, your family and what ever you want to bring with you - anytime!

[PUMP 'HER']

:rollinglaugh: Know anything about Jet Boats?

[kimswang]

:rollinglaugh: Know anything about Jet Boats?

Fly jets daily and know a thing or two about boats, does that count?

[kevnmcd]

If you sell that boat of yours, rest assured I have room for you, your family and what ever you want to bring with you - anytime!

Thanks!

[kimswang]

The seat is slowly, but surely comming together....

http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/49925/2006201859496475406_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006201859496475406)

[sandman0_0]

Strainer & Fuel set up installed. Next year I will repaint the bilge. I still have to mount the battery trays and rig the cables. I did get the motor set late today. Still need to align it and tie everything in.

[sandman0_0]

Here a couple pics of the motor just before I set it in and a shot of the strainer.I should finish the rigging on the motor tomorrow. Hope to have in the lake next week end to set up and fine tune before the poker run after PMI & Desert Storm.

[kimswang]

Strainer & Fuel set up installed. Next year I will repaint the bilge. I still have to mount the battery trays and rig the cables. I did get the motor set late today. Still need to align it and tie everything in.

Looking good Mister. Let me know if you need a crimp tool for your battery cables, I got one.

[hkunz]

Love the sea strainer - so, now for the "dumb" question - does Merc have one that comes with installations, or is this something I should be thinking of getting? I boat mostly Havasu, so I run throuigh the "line of trash" between the lake and river almost every weekend. In the jet I used to just backflush everything with a garden hose a couple of times a season, although there were times we had to pull the hand hole cover while in the water to clear plastic bags from the impeller.:Laugh_at:

[sandman0_0]

I went to the transom pick up with the strainer hopefully to avoid sucking up the crap the prop is stirring up. We boat Havasu & Mead mostly and try to make it to Powell at least once a year.