BoatBuildingOnline.com

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Yes thats right... I believe after a short run today the engine locked up. My understanding is that this is a Chevy Block. My distributor is in the back of the motor. My question is since this is a chevy block, can I use a re-ring, bearing kit from an auto parts store? Don't know the detials inside yet but would someone please tell me if this will work.

Heres what happened:
Had it on the muffs... it was idleing at about 850-900 rpms. Was running pretty good. According to the temp gauge it was running at about 135-145. Water was circulating. (new impeller) It started making a hissing noise so I crawled over the bench seat to hit the key, but by the time I got there it died. Turned the key and it turned over slowly. Waited about 45 minutes and tried again. Fired right up but only ran for about 45 seconds. This motor made no clunking, or abnormal noise besides the hissing. Hoping it is not a warped cylinder. Now starter will engage but it will not turn over. Since the odds of the starter going bad or getting stuck (I got both bolt loose and it wants to fall out) are minimal I'm assuming a rebuild is in order. Since I trully feel like we will keep this boat for awhile I figure we will just rebuild the motor. Then we know whats in it. If I found a used one I may have the same issues. I've rebuilt auto motors before and can't imagine this one will be much different but curious about the parts.

Also I've pondered the thaught of finding a salvage motor, and converting it. However I have read that there is changes with the cam etc.
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

So I've done some checking on line and what I can come up with is the only differences is the cam and heads, and exhuast manifolds. Since I will be using the same heads, cam and exhaust I will assume I will be fine. The head gaskets are also marine grade. Which I believe now that I pulled the bench seat out and found the original chevy orange block. I found a re-ring and bearing kit for $152 shipped to my door.
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Calico · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:18 am Post subject:

I think the real important thing with an I/O is that all of the electronics are marinized for protection from a spark causing fire or explosion in the engine room.
_________________
Strange but not a Stranger

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Then I will have no issue since I'm using original add ons

Still haven't gotten the motor out. Don't really know what I'm waiting for..lol did get the bench seat in front of it out to make more room.
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

I got the motor pulled and broke down... I pulled the pan and untightened the connecting rod nut/bolts. Took the bar and turned her right over. Now I'm debating on replacing just the rod bearings or doing a complete rebuild. Theres no marks or uneven wear on the crankshaft or connecting rods. It's a very clean block. I can still see the honning cross-hatch in the cylinder walls, and all rings look good. I believe that what happened is the shaft comming out of my oil pump broke one of it's 1/2 off. That piece was found in the pan, along with the nylon "keeper" I think it stopped pumping oil, spun a (the) bearings. Going to order parts for it on weds. I guess I'll talk to afew people and see what they think. I really think because of the condition of the walls, and rings I might just go with bearings... I'll see what others think.
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

I've talked to a few others and they think just replace the bearings, and oil pump of course.... I go in to Orielly's in the AM to order parts... they were cheaper then the others.... also All internal engine parts i have found are original GM parts...
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Wimperdink · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 2328

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Honestly.... All the internal parts.. are stamped GM... All original down to the bearings. The outside top of the motor was sprayed blue, the oil pan was blue... the block was orange. It was together when they sprayed it since the blue overlays the orange on the block were they meet. Under the valve covers are the overspray of orange.I have found not one part on this motor that I would not find in a stock Chevy motor. Pistons, rings, even the gaskets were stock Chevy motor. Crank is stock, as well as the heads, cam might be a a bit different but I trully doubt it. Intake and carb are all GM as well. Only thing I can find different is there are the drains on the block for the water jackets, and the oil dipstick was added to the oil pan drain (original hole on side of block plugged with aluminum)

It will be much cheaper knowing I can use Auto Parts since anything with "marine" is marked up so damn high
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Calico · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:09 am Post subject:

I would assume most internal parts would be the same. The cam however I bet is different since a boat has only one 'gear' and needs to make torque over a broad RPM range. The big differences would be on the outside, manifolds, distributer, carburetor, alternator, anything that could make a spark and blow up the engine compartment.
_________________
Strange but not a Stranger

Wimperdink · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 2328

I was reading an article within th last couple of months about rebuilding either a 2.8 v6 or 2.5 i4 (cant remember which at the time) and they were talking about a power boost during rebuild and they were installing specifically a marine engine crank. I don't know the diff between a marine engine crank and a regular automotive crank, but for them to want to hunt it down and install it for a power boost must make something different with it yeah?
_________________
I make stuff up!

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Calico · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:28 pm Post subject:

It can be fun working on engines, as long as it's not along the side of the road or in the middle of the lake!
_________________
Strange but not a Stranger

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

That is true... Well it's back in the boat and everything is back together. Ran out of time to run it today, so it will have to wait until tommorrow morning. I'll let everyone know how it goes
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Wimperdink · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 2328

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

lol... well I got everything back together and it was ready to fire. I left the fuel line off on purpose. It turned over just fine. I added a bit of fuel to the carb with a gas can and it fired... I decided that I would go ahead and hook the fuel line up and see if I could get it running steady.... NOPE.. it would just turn over... then it started to turn really hard. Decided that I would pull the plugs and see what was up. Pulled them all out and turned it over.... This is when the gas shot out of the back two cylinders. Yep you guessed it. The carb was pouring fuel into the intake. Really don't know how this happened since before the bearing issue the carb worked. I took it apart and tinkered with it... Got it a little better but it would still flood the cylinders out.

I Stopped there.... Came inside and ordered the Carb rebuild kit for it. Another few days of "wait" for shipping and I'll move on. Still haven't heard it run any length of time. I will say that I expected to work on the carb from day one, but was hoping to get through the summer.

I think this boat just don't like me... Smile FU

_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Wimperdink · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 2328

lol or your boat has a lot of "quit" in it. Smile FU

_________________
I make stuff up!

Calico · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 9:13 am Post subject:

Hee hee! You're getting there!
_________________
Strange but not a Stranger

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Yeah its getting there. It would be different if I could run into town and buy parts for it but since it's an 80's it's all order them in.

I guess I could have adjusted the float and tried that but since I'm going to have it apart I might as well do it right.

I have alot of quit and wait time on this because I work evening and only have a few hours in the morning to work on it. On Sunday and Mondays I know I can assomplish much more then I can the rest of the week.
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

Things didn't go as planned and I didn't get the carb kit in time for "my weekend" So I went out this morning and messed around with it. I adjusted the float, and there was a spring loaded pin in the bottom. Dont know what it does..lol but it was stuck open. I pressed it up and down until it moved free. I put it back together, cleaned the plugs again (not sure why) and turned it over. It took a little while but It soon fired. Will need to set the timming on it but I think I'm VERY close where it is. Runs smooth with no miss or abnormal sounds. Ran it for about 20 minutes and checked the oil... no signs of water. oil pressure sits about 40psi at idle. No backfire, pops, etc when giving it a little gas. Water temp stayed at about 130.

Might need a new starter, it was weak when I got it and has only gotten worse with the issues I've had.
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Calico · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 5:16 pm Post subject:

Good deal, won't you be nervous putting it in the water the first time? I never go far and usually upwind Laughing

_________________
Strange but not a Stranger

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

It's really sad to say... but yes. Doesn't matter how much work has been done. Even the last boat was a decent runner and never left us stranded but you still have the fact that something may go wrong in your head... It is more of "what is bound to happen now?" more then anything.

I think it will be a fun boat for our family. It will take awhile for that feeling to go away. If there are no more issues with it this year and next spring when the cover comes off and with a turn of the key it starts right up...lol the feelings will start to disappear
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Calico · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 10:07 pm Post subject:

You and I think a lot alike. I've usually got that nagging thought but lately I've been better about saying to heck with it I'll make it up as I go along if something goes wrong. Beer helps calm my mind also Very Happy

_________________
Strange but not a Stranger

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

I hear you... I've come to that conclusion as well. It's not worth woring about whats going to happen.. worry about it when it happens....

You can't fix something that isn't broke.... well you can but whats the point?
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Dave JZ · Swabby Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Wymore, NE

So we had the boat out today.. Took it around the lake to see what it would do... spent maybe 10 minutes on it at WOT. Took it to the dock and shut if off. Loaded up the rest of the kids, wife etc and left the dock. Got about 50ft from the dock and it died. Would not restart. Got back to shore and tore the carb apart again because it started to puke fuel again. I believe the float was getting stuck on the side of the carb, however when I took it apart the rubber to the accelerator jet came apart. Got it to run good enough to have some fun just not great out of the hole. Also have an exhaust manifold gasket leaking. Not a real issue.

Heres the real bad. When I left dock the first time Oil Pressure was sitting at 40.. would go up a bit when I gave it some throttle but not alot. After about 2 hours of boating there was a gradual drop down to about 20psi and would not budge. I checked oil, etc and all seemed good. Pulled the oil fill off and valves were wet from oil. We loaded it up and headed home. I guess start easy and go from there.. I'll pull the filter, and change see what it does, go on to the sensor. My Neighbor has one I can use to test with as well as a gauge. If all else fails it looks like the motor might be pulled out again. Any Ideas?
_________________
it's only what you make of it!!!

Coleman_Kayak1 · Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:42 pm Post subject:

From my automotive experience, a hot idle psi of 20 isn't bad. Now if it wasn't going up when throttle was applied, that may be an issue.

If there was NO fluctuation with throttle at all, I'd lean toward sender/gauge/etc. as there should be at least a little.

Good luck Very Happy

_________________
1969 Aluminum V-Hull
1964 Evinrude Lightwin 3hp (Been in family since new)

1985 Gregor Octapon Pontoon Boat
1998 Yamaha C40

Under Construction: Motorized Sufboard
(Hopefully) 10hp Evinrude Powerplant