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by Bilge Rat
Wed Jun 19, 2019 6:23 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: trailer bunk placement for a 24' Sea-Skiff
Replies: 1
Views: 1792

Re: trailer bunk placement for a 24' Sea-Skiff

Best place for support would be as directly under the engine stringers as possible. With a Sea Skiff and the turn of the bilge at the chines, you need the bunks to be inboard a bit from the outer chines as compared to a hard chine runabout. The attached picture is my 25 foot Lyman on it's trailer th...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:36 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Rebuild or Repower
Replies: 7
Views: 4129

Re: Rebuild or Repower

To add to Jim's reply; taking an internal look into the 430's makes sense if you're looking to keep original if possible. New possible 454 engine increased horsepower would probably call for new prop pitch, possible new tachs and other unknown sundries to install, monitor and control the different e...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jun 13, 2019 8:47 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: M Engine Fuel Bowl Gasket
Replies: 9
Views: 3730

Re: M Engine Fuel Bowl Gasket

Jim Dandy at Finewood Boats to the rescue again. I don't think a little waterproof grease should be an issue, but there is a fine mesh screen at the top of the bowl that you wouldn't want to get plugged up. As an aside, do you have a modern fuel filter upstream of this? Changing the cartridge on tha...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Jun 10, 2019 2:15 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: M Engine Fuel Bowl Gasket
Replies: 9
Views: 3730

Re: M Engine Fuel Bowl Gasket

The Zenith carb on an M engine should have a drain plug on the bottom of the float bowl. It is not the plug that is at the bottom of the air horn bend towards the front bottom of the carb. If lack of fuel delivery is the issue, removing the bowl plug and seeing no gas pour out might confirm no gas i...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Jun 10, 2019 1:53 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: M Engine Fuel Bowl Gasket
Replies: 9
Views: 3730

Re: M Engine Fuel Bowl Gasket

Replacement fuel bowl gaskets for the AC pumps are available in cork and rubber. I have always used the cork ones as I had a rubber one shrink once when I removed the bowl for cleaning, Possibly from an ethanol fuel issue incompatibility. If the gasket is leaking, the bowl is on the suction side of ...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:48 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: Electrician
Replies: 1
Views: 1456

Re: Electrician

I'm a great one, Master licensed as well but I live no where near Chattanooga. Sorry. Beautiful place to visit I am sure but too many commitments here where I live. I would suggest that a marine electrician certified by the American Boat and Yacht Council would be a best choice as they have been tes...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jun 04, 2019 6:40 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Fiberglass covered bottom
Replies: 3
Views: 4211

Re: Fiberglass covered bottom

I second Troy's & Don's thoughts. Although some wood boat bottoms used in Lake Tahoe are professionally fiberglassed, this is done over very sound bottom planks and frames by people skilled in this. If it was weak to begin with, fiberglassing will make things worse.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jun 04, 2019 6:19 am
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Just bought the '52 Chris Craft Riviera from Riviera Wish
Replies: 1
Views: 1829

Re: Just bought the '52 Chris Craft Riviera from Riviera Wish

I think the first order of business would be to look into the exhaust manifold leak. External leaks are one thing but water entering the combustion chambers will cause a hydro lock and very expensive repairs. Could also indicate an engine that wasn't winterized properly and caused cracks when it fro...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:17 am
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: parts for pitman steering mechanism
Replies: 4
Views: 3498

Re: parts for pitman steering mechanism

Most I have seen were Ford steering components from that time period. You could try looking at McMaster Carr's website as they have a decent selection of ball joints, ball studs and clevis'.
by Bilge Rat
Fri May 31, 2019 7:53 am
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Maiden Voyage-ish of Lake Girl
Replies: 7
Views: 3823

Re: Maiden Voyage-ish of Lake Girl

Beautiful boat! The essentials (beer cheese, chips, wine and breakfast pastries) should also include tools and some common spare parts for the just in case moments of classic boating. They have saved the day on a couple of occasions for me.
by Bilge Rat
Fri May 31, 2019 7:27 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: Timing marks
Replies: 5
Views: 3078

Re: Timing marks

How do they run and start? Any backfire? If the timing is that severely off I would think there'd be obvious issues. Might be the flywheel is incorrect or miss-marked. Might be what someone thought was number one top dead center isn't because the flywheel is forward not aft and the cylinder numbers ...
by Bilge Rat
Thu May 16, 2019 3:10 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Original paint colours for 1955 Capitan
Replies: 6
Views: 3798

Re: Original paint colours for 1955 Capitan

Don't know the factory original colors but I just wanted to say congrats and at-a-boy for taking on a vintage 34 foot cruiser project.
by Bilge Rat
Thu May 16, 2019 6:50 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: 6volt Horn Relay
Replies: 6
Views: 5561

Re: 6volt Horn Relay

Second on testing the relay with 6 volts and checking continuity. You should be able to hear an audible click when the relay operates too. If the relay is the correct 6 volt one, there must be something else going on in the circuit limiting current flow. If it's a 12 volt relay coil, 6 volts would n...
by Bilge Rat
Wed May 15, 2019 3:26 pm
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: 6volt Horn Relay
Replies: 6
Views: 5561

Re: 6volt Horn Relay

If the horn button is the steering column type, this diagram from 1952 indicates that the steering column needs to be connected to ground to complete the control circuit to the relay.
by Bilge Rat
Mon May 06, 2019 7:47 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: 95hp "K" Blowby around Spark Plug
Replies: 6
Views: 3310

Re: 95hp "K" Blowby around Spark Plug

Might be worth a try to change the plug. Even though its new, might have a manufacturing defect in the threads or even the porcelain insulator. Possible a Chinese product, there have been some documented counterfeit knock offs.
by Bilge Rat
Thu May 02, 2019 6:20 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Paint inner hull sides?
Replies: 1
Views: 4605

Re: Paint inner hull sides?

Personally, I think all accessible surfaces in a wood boat should be sealed with a coating. Whether that's paint, varnish or a sealer, a coating is needed to help prevent moisture incursion. Moisture from the back side will work its way to the top side surfaces and cause problems. You can look at it...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Apr 30, 2019 10:33 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Distributor cap
Replies: 9
Views: 4312

Re: Distributor cap

"Start it in the dark and look for sparks."

Or if you're brave (well maybe foolish), start it up and run your hand along the ignition wires, coil and distributor with your other hand touching the engine block. If there's a high voltage leak, you will know it very well.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:38 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Leaky bilge
Replies: 3
Views: 3800

Re: Leaky bilge

Sorry to say, but it sounds like some structural weakness exists at the chines and the gap now is too great to just "swell up". Bottom refastening is only good IF the frame work is sound and can hold fasteners. The planks swell and stress the screws and the frame work, often splitting the frames lea...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:23 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Refinishing 30' Sea Skiff and have questions
Replies: 3
Views: 6073

Re: Refinishing 30' Sea Skiff and have questions

Hi: My 2 cents (like that buys anything today): 1. I used Smith's CPES Clear Penetrating Epoxy sealer on bare wood. It is not an epoxy in the sense of a chemical compound that dries to a hard finish. It has wood lignin in it and penetrates to seal the wood from moisture. Makes a really great sealer ...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Apr 12, 2019 10:10 am
Forum: On the Hard
Topic: Advice on trailer purchase
Replies: 9
Views: 8758

Re: Advice on trailer purchase

I used to own one (a 1955) and trailed it with a single axle with no trailer brakes. For the size and weight, this was legal in my state. You definitely want a bunk type trailer with bunks under the engine stringers and maybe ones further out toward the chines. Some support at the forward part of th...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:34 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: ELECTRIC CHOKE FOR ROCHESTER QJET
Replies: 3
Views: 4180

Re: ELECTRIC CHOKE FOR ROCHESTER QJET

Don't know which electric choke will fit your carb, but I changed out the climactic choke on my V8 Graymarine and it has improved cold starting so much. You will probably need the exact carb number and the year from your quadrajet as chokes may have changed throughout the production run. You could t...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Apr 02, 2019 8:33 am
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: What's Your Key Chain of Choice?
Replies: 7
Views: 4364

Re: What's Your Key Chain of Choice?

A monkey fist, it's soft and won't scratch the varnish. I also keep a key hidden by screwing it to an out-of-the-way location just in case I do lose the ignition key. Not that its all that difficult to hot wire the key switch.
by Bilge Rat
Wed Mar 27, 2019 9:36 am
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Caravelle Deck Vinyl
Replies: 1
Views: 1889

Re: Caravelle Deck Vinyl

Nautolex marine vinyl was a brand used on a lot of boats during that era. It is what was used on the hardtop of my Lyman. It is available in colors as well as a textured floor material.
by Bilge Rat
Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:02 pm
Forum: On the Hard
Topic: Arizona storage
Replies: 4
Views: 5589

Re: Arizona storage

No experience in the dry climate conditions of Arizona, but elsewhere some people hose down the floor under the boat periodically to keep the bottom moisture levels up. Probably would evaporate pretty quickly down there though.
by Bilge Rat
Mon Mar 11, 2019 8:17 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: Sloppy Steering
Replies: 8
Views: 4794

Re: Sloppy Steering

It could also be the drag link where the pitman arm at the gearbox meets the pipe that moves the rudder. These are usually rusted and don't loosen, but is still is possible as it is a component that has to pivot in use. More old school mechanicals that last a long time. This really should be looked ...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:28 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: Sloppy Steering
Replies: 8
Views: 4794

Re: Sloppy Steering

The steering gearbox may have an adjustment screw under a cap like the attached picture. This only takes up a small amount of slop as it is increasing pressure on the sector which rides along the worm gear. The gearbox may have other issues like loss of lubricant and subsequent wear, which should be...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Mar 06, 2019 12:39 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Do I need 4 wheel drive?
Replies: 5
Views: 3658

Re: Do I need 4 wheel drive?

Not sure what part of the country you live in, but I tow my 3900 pound Lyman on a 1400 pound trailer with a Chevy Tahoe 5.3 liter 4 wheel drive. I live in upstate NY, so the 4 wheel drive is a necessity in the winter months. This engine/transmission combo has the power needed and the 4 wheel drive i...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:03 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Horn Relay / Battery disconnect
Replies: 4
Views: 4116

Re: Horn Relay / Battery disconnect

I can't answer about judging rules as to devices added for safety, but your concerns about the horn push button and associated connections being able to carry 25-ish amps are well founded. Even though the use of the horn is intermittent, the button contacts could become overwhelmed and weld closed, ...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:04 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Bed decks and covering boards?
Replies: 12
Views: 7862

Re: Bed decks and covering boards?

I have come to believe that the true mark of a product's durability has a direct relationship to how difficult it is to remove from hands, clothes, tools and your hair. I can say with certainty that 5200 cannot be removed from your hair without scissors and my cordless drill will never look the same...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jan 16, 2019 9:38 am
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: zincs
Replies: 1
Views: 1824

Re: zincs

Which type of Chris Crafts? Runabouts not so much as they were not meant to be kept in the water all year. Chris Craft fitted them with lifting rings to lift them out of the water to prevent a water logged hull (old time sealants back in the day). Cruisers were not hauled often, particularly the big...