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by Bilge Rat
Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:25 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: topside plank discoloration
Replies: 3
Views: 5376

Re: topside plank discoloration

Looks like moisture incursion along unsealed seams and possibly some plank movement. A permanent fix is not easy, as it requires removal of planks, proper bedding in a sealer such as 3M5200, reattaching and refinishing. Bleaching of the moisture stains would probably also be required.
by Bilge Rat
Thu Sep 05, 2019 2:12 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KLC carb (Zenith 11168 / 552M) mix screw adjustment
Replies: 4
Views: 2937

Re: KLC carb (Zenith 11168 / 552M) mix screw adjustment

The fixed type high speed jet was "optimized" for maximum performance and if everything else is working correctly (and the carb is clean!) should work well.
by Bilge Rat
Thu Sep 05, 2019 2:04 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Electrical
Replies: 5
Views: 3508

Re: Electrical

To read amps, the meter leads would have to be plugged into the amps jack on the meter and connected in series with the positive from the generator as it goes to the helm amperage meter. If the meter is set to amps, plugged into the amps jack on the meter and then the leads connected to positive and...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Aug 30, 2019 9:50 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Building A Bomb?
Replies: 6
Views: 6678

Re: Building A Bomb?

You get today's at-a boy!
by Bilge Rat
Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:32 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Building A Bomb?
Replies: 6
Views: 6678

Re: Building A Bomb?

As stated, vibration is the problem for boat wiring. Tinned wire with crimped connectors and the heat shrink are about the best ways to prevent vibration and corrosion issues. Loose connections, particularly on high current circuits also lead to overheating of the connections and another potential f...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Aug 26, 2019 6:19 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: WIRING; 1959 CONTINENTAL 18'6"
Replies: 1
Views: 4590

Re: WIRING; 1959 CONTINENTAL 18'6"

It appears to be a ballast resistor, albeit missing a terminal. Two places it could have been used that I know of: In the ignition circuit between the ignition switch and the coil (mounted at the coil). Not all ignitions used a ballast resistor as you could also use an internal resistor in the coil ...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:32 pm
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: Polishing Chrome
Replies: 5
Views: 6269

Re: Polishing Chrome

Nevr Dull is a very good product for chrome. I use it and don't tape off the varnish, but I am careful not to rub it into the varnish. It isn't an abrasive product.
by Bilge Rat
Wed Aug 21, 2019 8:27 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: My boat mechanic working to put in a remanufactured 350 Chevy into barrelback
Replies: 3
Views: 2588

Re: My boat mechanic working to put in a remanufactured 350 Chevy into barrelback

At least with a 283 to 350 swap you shouldn't have to rework the engine stringer supports and wedges. Swapping a V8 for an old 6 cylinder and getting the angle right is another item to worry about for that task.
by Bilge Rat
Fri Aug 16, 2019 6:39 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KLC to KBL conversion
Replies: 2
Views: 2170

Re: KLC to KBL conversion

Like Jim stated, it probably came with a smaller Chris Craft engine. For a 1956 Sea Skiff, I'm thinking a model K 95 HP. The hull card would show the original engine as built. Someone must have modified the engine dog house to accommodate the triple down draft carbs. Hopefully they changed the prop ...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Aug 07, 2019 3:53 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Graymarine 120 conversion
Replies: 8
Views: 3486

Re: Graymarine 120 conversion

Any idea what model engine it originally came with? Hull card would state that.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Aug 06, 2019 11:39 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KL engine clutch adjustment
Replies: 11
Views: 4383

Re: KL engine clutch adjustment

You might be close enough to Van Ness to drive it there but if you have to ship it, build a 3/4" plywood crate for it. It weighs around 80 pounds, which both UPS and Fed Ex will ship but a cardboard box will not protect it enough during transit. I built one to ship mine out for rebuilding and while ...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Aug 05, 2019 12:00 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KL engine clutch adjustment
Replies: 11
Views: 4383

Re: KL engine clutch adjustment

Cashman (and the original poster)...you're not using a synthetic oil in the engine by chance are you? Synthetics are too slippery for the transmission.
by Bilge Rat
Mon Aug 05, 2019 11:50 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Marine plywood
Replies: 4
Views: 4769

Re: Marine plywood

Tried L. L. Johnson in Charlotte Michigan?
by Bilge Rat
Sun Aug 04, 2019 2:43 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: wrong carburetor?
Replies: 6
Views: 3150

Re: wrong carburetor?

Yeah that old gas looks a bit suspect. I agree about the carb needing to be opened up. The Zenith carbs are not that complicated but there are a lot of tiny bored passages that will trap rust and cause problems. Some have to be probed with a small gauge wire to free them up. BTW, I used to have a KL...
by Bilge Rat
Sun Aug 04, 2019 2:37 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Gas Fume Detector Installation
Replies: 4
Views: 2814

Re: Gas Fume Detector Installation

Agree with mounting the sensor as low as possible but out of the expected water in the bilge. I would also mount it on the carb/fuel pump side of engine, assuming you're running a Hercules 6 cylinder. That is where any fuel problems should occur. I installed one on my Lyman over the winter before th...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:31 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: wrong carburetor?
Replies: 6
Views: 3150

Re: wrong carburetor?

Some things to try: Is the choke fully closing? Verify by looking at the choke plate (NOT WHILE CRANKING!). Is the carb flooding? Its very easy to flood an updraft carb. There should be a drain plug at the bottom of the carb where the air horn bends up if you see gas puddling inside the bend. If its...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jul 31, 2019 11:44 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Adding a Temp gauge to a CC 105hp "K" engine
Replies: 7
Views: 3266

Re: Adding a Temp gauge to a CC 105hp "K" engine

Not all years of the KL may have come with the 1/2" tapped hole for a sender in the head. If it did, it would have a pipe plug installed like the red circled area in the attached picture. Removing that plug can be a challenge as it's been installed metal on metal for almost 70 years. If the head doe...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jul 31, 2019 9:43 am
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Threaded lifting ring rod
Replies: 3
Views: 2811

Re: Threaded lifting ring rod

Lifting rod metal can get stressed if it was pulled sideways for towing a skier/tuber, or abused to horse the boat onto a trailer. Although the bronze is tough stuff, stress fractures at or near the lift ring should be carefully examined particularly if you intend on using it actually lift the boat.
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jul 24, 2019 8:30 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: Fuel fumes.
Replies: 6
Views: 3443

Re: Fuel fumes.

These are 2 reservoirs that Racor makes. The challenge is finding space above the fuel tank that this can be installed and still be vertical, or at least no more than the install manual recommends from true vertical. I installed this to prevent fuel overflow out the vent which will attack the varnis...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jul 23, 2019 7:22 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: Fuel fumes.
Replies: 6
Views: 3443

Re: Fuel fumes.

A timely question considering the explosion of a Century Coronado this past weekend at a boat show on Keuka Lake in upstate NY. The owners are recovering but this was a fuel vapor issue, even though it was reported that the blower was running. It's possible that what you are smelling is the gas left...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jul 18, 2019 6:21 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KLC Numerous Issues
Replies: 30
Views: 15045

Re: KLC Numerous Issues

Any history of this boat running in salt water? Sounds like a cooling passage issue on the running hot. An infrared thermometer might show where the hot spots are if you can run it long enough. You will need to re-torque the head after running and probably at least 3 more times after running on the ...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:57 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Bad coil?
Replies: 20
Views: 12876

Re: Bad coil?

I think Troy's on to the magic, but I think its more like witchcraft.
by Bilge Rat
Mon Jul 08, 2019 9:24 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Bad coil?
Replies: 20
Views: 12876

Re: Bad coil?

Glad to hear the problem appears to be solved. The fix is also quite reasonably cheap and easy to change out the bad one too.
by Bilge Rat
Mon Jul 08, 2019 7:53 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Bad coil?
Replies: 20
Views: 12876

Re: Bad coil?

Whether the coil comes with the resistor internally or you use an external ballast resistor, the resistor will get hot in use. When it's in the coil, the coil will be too hot to touch after running a while. An external ballast resistor is encased in a ceramic housing for a very good reason, it will ...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Jul 08, 2019 7:47 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Dwell Angle for KLC
Replies: 11
Views: 9040

Re: Dwell Angle for KLC

I had an issue with using a Flamethrower coil on a breaker point distributor. Odd power loss issues. Replaced with a standard "no ballast resistor needed" coil and no problems since. The fact that the Flamethrower was epoxy encapsulated sounded great but maybe not enough of a cooling function.
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:32 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: New CCABC member, first time question
Replies: 8
Views: 4022

Re: New CCABC member, first time question

Answers broken down as follows: "But to be clear, the engine itself (in a single screw craft) is still rotating the 'conventional' way (i.e. like in a car)." Yes just mounted ass-backwards in the boat. "Which brings me back to: Is there a resource available that would identify which CC's had 283s (o...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jun 27, 2019 11:04 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: New CCABC member, first time question
Replies: 8
Views: 4022

Re: New CCABC member, first time question

Welcome to the asylum! The real reason for installing a standard car engine with the flywheel forward in a boat has to do with clearances within a decked over hull or an engine box type design. By mounting it flywheel forward, the engine profile is less at the aft end, higher at the front end. Since...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jun 26, 2019 4:09 pm
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: Fuel leak at KBL carburetor junction
Replies: 4
Views: 2938

Re: Fuel leak at KBL carburetor junction

You're welcome. Just be sure that you verify the pipe lengths and bends are correct before final tightening of the fitting nuts. Once fully compressed, the 2 rings will never come off again!

Ask me how I know. Fortunately they sell compression sleeves and nuts separately.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jun 25, 2019 9:13 pm
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: Fuel leak at KBL carburetor junction
Replies: 4
Views: 2938

Re: Fuel leak at KBL carburetor junction

To me a "safety first" attitude trumps (sorry, bad choice of word) judging on originality. I too had a similar issue when re-plumbing a dual carb MCL but my situation was that most of the uni-flare fittings were missing anyway. I chose brass fittings from McMaster Carr's line of Yor-Lock double comp...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jun 19, 2019 7:40 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: What is this adjustment knob on water pump?
Replies: 3
Views: 2474

Re: What is this adjustment knob on water pump?

Do be sure to use a water pump grease as it doesn't congeal and wash away as fast as regular axle type grease. A greased pump will prime quicker too.