Hey guys! Put new plugs in the 454 and she started right up. Adjusted the timing and I think I got her running pretty smooth. She has a thermal coil choke and it didn't seem to open up very much after 5 or 10 mins running. Could this be my problem? Or should I check further? Here's a pic http://s4.p...

Just went out ofr a bit this afternoon. Opened the choke and throttle butterfly and there is a standing pool of fuel sitting at the bottom.. That's not normal is it?

Thanks for all the advice. Jim the engines were installed in the mid 80s. They are 454's with 4 barrel carbs and a Delco Voyager HEI ignition system (module built into the distributer, and a separate coil mounted on the engine. I have noticed that then engine seemed to be running very rich, so there...

So over the w/e I played with the timing and couldn't even get a bit of fire going. I WAs getting spark, but no ignition at all., Removed a plug and discovered it to be covered in black soot. Today I went out and cleaned all the plugs with a wire brush on a dremel tool. Turned the key and got a brie...

In an effort to solve my rough running engine, I removed my distributer without marking it's location. Now I'm thoroughly confused as to how to get everything back in order and properly timed. This is a Delco Voyager electronic system from the 90s. The ignition module has a special plug for setting ...

Got a chance to make it out to the boat today with a friend. He put a timing light on and the cylinders were firing erratically. I removed the distr cap and discovered significant corrosion on the rotor and the cap. I removed the distributer. It's part of a Delco Voyager electronic ignition system. ...

Sorry bout that! going too fast, as usual. The engines are Chevy 454's They have separate fuel lines and tanks Symptoms are rough idle, dying out, hard re-starting, backfiring at higher revs (1200)

Thanks for any help!

Hey Guys, Well I'm back sooner than I'd hoped to be. Went out for a short cruise today and the stbd engine was acting up. She started right up, but after a few minutes started running rough.. dipping in idle and dying out. I could re-start her, but it got worse.. Revved her up and she backfired a lo...

Well, Finally I got time to head out at the boat and do some checking. Fired the genny up and saw no water in the exhaust. It even sounded dry. Took the cover off the water lifter and sure enough there was a shredded impeller. Replaced it in about 5 minutes and all is fine. Thanks for all the help g...

Im glad and amazed to find I wasn't just wishful thinking. The smoke did smell a bit rubbery and the engine seemed a bit too warm, although it never reached cut-off, I didn't let it run that long. I don't think the engine is a Perkin, it doesn't look like any in any pictures I could find. I would LO...

Hey guys, Went out over the weekend and fired up the boat for a short cruise, first of the year. The genny started right up and seemed to run fine till I looked back and saw a gob of thick smoke coming out, Not sure if it were really blue or white. It had been running fine all year before being laid...

Kenny you may have me beat. but mainly in quantity and not quality! Do you have any pics of your new distro you can share? Where did you put your box?

Hey Guys, The DC system on my old Connie is something of a rats nest and I'd like to clean it up. Here's what I have: Stbd Starting batter placed just stbd of the engine near the STBD hull WITH 1.0 cables to the starter and smaller wires to the charger Port Starting Battery placed amidships. This ba...

Has anyone attempted to refil the oil in their compass? The compass on our Connie is pretty dark and I wonder if changing the oil would clear it up.

I need some help from an electrical guru here. I replaced what I though was the offending battery in my 32v system, and things still weren't working right. When the charger came on, there was a knocking sound in one of the batts, and all the other batts measured 2 volts. Are they simply discharged? ...

The solenoids can't convert power. I'm guessing they're used to jump 2 batteries together in the event one goes dead. No real way to get 12v out of 8v batts.

Hey Tony! I have a 1958 48' Constellation. Ours has 4 x8v batt and an old Constavolt charging system which still work. I too, have been trying to locate a manual because I think the unit is overcharging the batts a bit. I'll give you some advice. Pull all the caps off the batteries and check the wat...

Thanks evan. You got any pics? or a diagram?

Mine probably need it bad! Thanks guys!

Anyone have any advice on rigging a bypass system for the hot water heater for winterizing? Right now I have a bypass pipe that I install and uninstall which is kind of a pain.

I just changed the plugs in my 454's on my 58 connie. She runs much better now. BUt still seems to run rich. According to the manual, the carbs are not adjustable I pulled a couple of plugs to check the gapping today and they already seem smoked up. Any ideas on this from you veterans? Thanks!

Has anybody used a west system skim coat to cover the canvas top on an old connie? I'm considering doing that to smooth out the cracks that are appearing. In essence it seems like I could just use the top as kind of a mold, roll some epoxy over it, fair it down and paint it. Any thoughts?

Someone suggested years ago to me that I should add a small amount of diesel to the crankcase oil, then run the engine a while before changing the oil. The premise was that this would loosen up any sludge and make for a cleaner oil change. Anyone recommend this practice? If so, How much should I add...

Somehow I ended up with a couple of manuals for a Velvet drive Model 70C & 71C transmission. If anyone wants them let me know and I'll mail them to you.

Thanks for all the good comments. A lot of you mentioned proper surface prep. Can you give me more details? The transom was just refinished and varnished with 5 coats.

So Apparently the current trend is to use vinyl letters on the transom. Is it proper procedure to apply top coats of varnish on top of the lettering? Any advice or things to look out for?

Thanks!

Hey guys, My old '58 Connie has several old Kohler twist faucets. They still work well, with the exception that they tend to leak from under the knob when turned on. These faucets have to be held twisted on.. they spring load to turn off. Does anyone know how to stop the leaking or if there are part...

Any thoughts, suggestions on protocols for renaming a boat. I've read a lot of stuff about bad luck and various rites. Just wondering what you guys think.

Hey all, Just went down to Alred in Guntersville to inspect the finished paint and repairs. She looks beautiful! new bottom paint, new topsides paint, and re-painted stanchions. The guys at Alred were really great to work with and did a fantastic job. http://gallery.mac.com/bobbystone#100116

Hey all, Just went down to Alred in Guntersville to inspect the finished paint and repairs. She looks beautiful! new bottom paint, new topsides paint, and re-painted stanchions. The guys at Alred were really great to work with and did a fantastic job. http://gallery.mac.com/bobbystone#100116