Rebuild Repower

[Slightly_Twisted]

Well it's about that time. My family is has been extremely lucky to get the last two seasons out of the boat with out much needing to be done. This season ended a few weeks ago when I F^#@ed up. The 86 seadrive was overheating, and I couldn't find the problem. After doing everything I could think of, I pulled the head covers to look at the cooling channels. Well two of the piston sleeves had small cracks at the very ends. Ok well I knew the engine was on its last life, but I killed it when I broke a bolt off in the cooling head cover. I tried to drill it out and some how punched a hold though the the head cover. Yeah I messed up hard.

So I'm going to start the rebuild next week.
I have a flotation stainless steel marine 30 in setback bracket I'll pick up in Dec. The transom is mush so I will start with that. Putting in an order at US composites for 5 gallons Vinyl ester, 25 yards of 1708, 1708 tape, and micro balloons.
The engine is where I still have a lot to decide. There are three main options I'm looking at. a newer used optixmax, a new mercury 4 stroke, or a new Suzuki df175. All are 500-550 dry weight so it really just depends on what i can get.

you guys have any thoughts before!

pic to follow.

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

forgot to put if anyone wants the old seadrive it's up for grabs. You pick it up and it all yours.

 

[Greyduk]

ST, you might want to reach out to pipe dream. He just put a new Suzuki df175 on his v20 I'm sure he would have a lot of input about how well it worked out for him.

 

[bradford]

Armchair all the way, but out of those three options I would go for the Suzuki.

 

[randlemanboater]

I am assuming that you are going to put a bracket on your boat, there have been several people who did that over the years here on the site, as I remember, the most important thing to consider for the new motor is weight...the lighter the better.

I am a Suzuki 4 stroke fan as well, the 140 I had on my V worked very well, it was 410#s dry.

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Well I have a few hours today so I decided to try and get the engine off.
The wiring was more of a pain in the *** then the engine. Here are a few pics!

 

[phatdaddy]

Are u talking merc 150 or new 175 V6. The 150 is around 475lbs. I d get the one with the best dealer presence in your area.

Always been a big fan of the sea drive conversions.

Keep posting progress reports

 

[Destroyer]

Interesting removal. Never seen a cherry picker (engine hoist) quite like that one before with the triangular feet setup. I like the idea of the center post allowing you to swing the load like a davit crane. How sturdy is that?

 

[phatdaddy]

D, i think it fits in the reciever on the truck, not just the tripod under the mast.

 

[spareparts]

just keep in mind, loose Yamaha engines are hard to come by right now(especially over 200 hp), Ive been a big fan of the big 4 cylinder Yamaha, but the newer versions(175, 200hp) have a few issues that are now showing up. The new merc v6 engines are the way to go. A local Scout dealer has been ordering the Merc on some of their boats and compared to Yamaha's on the same model, they run circles around them. The new V6 are almost as light as the 150 4 cylinder from the info I've seen. The down side is there aren't that many of those motors out there right now, and they are commanding a premium(plus a 35% price increase over last years models). I'm not sure if they take mechanical controls or not, but figure in $3000+ for rigging if they are fly by wire. The Suzuki is probably the best bag for the buck, they are heavy though compared to teh compititon. They have a reputation for corrosion issues, but quite honestly, I see just as much corrosion on Yamaha and Merc engines. The difference is how Suzuki handles their warranty, they really let customers down. Regardless of how you go, its still going to cost a bunch of money

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

Yeah it has two feet on the ground and a bar that connects to the trailer hitch of the truck. It wasn’t bad, it was close to maxing out the weight at that distance. When I install the new engine I’ll get a real hoist so I have more control.

Yeah the engine is going to suck. I’ve been looking and calling tons of places. The used market right now is hard for me. There are no newer used one around here, and if I drive to the coast to pick on up who knows if I can get someone to look at it. The sales are just too rushed, and you may have to walk away after 13 plus hour drive. I know the Suzuki’s are on the heavy side but it saves a few buck, I did get a quote from a mercury dealer for a new 4stroke 175 v4 for 13000. From what I have found Suzuki’s are about 11500 all with out controls. So who knows

 

[phatdaddy]

Local merc dealer was telling me the other day, v6 s are 3-5 months out. I do think they will take mechanical controls.

Guy down the street just replaced a 06 140 Suzuki with a new 115 Suzuki and loves it. Says he can t tell a lot of difference. The bottom of the block rotted out on his old one.

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

Hey guys,

I got a line on a brand new 2014/15 Suzuki DF175 Full warranty.


never mind they just called me back and the sales guy messed up. It was a demo engine and not sell-able.

thanks

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

Got the cap cut off the stern. Was not as hard at I would have thought.

I cut forward a little to get access to the last bulk head and transom knees.
I cut where the rod box was so hopefully it will reduce the fairing when it goes back together.

Going to start cutting the knees and last bulkhead out tomorrow if I have time.

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

The cap

 

[Destroyer]

Got the cap cut off the stern. Was not as hard at I would have thought.

I cut forward a little to get access to the last bulk head and transom knees.
I cut where the rod box was so hopefully it will reduce the fairing when it goes back together.

Going to start cutting the knees and last bulkhead out tomorrow if I have time.

Way to go. Keep up the great work and the pics.

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

F@#*

So took some time to finish derigging everything and of course the boat gods pissed on my plans. I thought the stringers where going to be ok, well it looks like they are soaked.

I know the answer, but want your guys advice.

1. Keep cutting back until I find dry wood and then replace?
2. Say F it and cut out the floor and replace everything.
3. Cut back to the second bulkhead and just go with what is there?

Number 2 is what I’m thinking. Then replace the tank and everything.

 

[bradford]

Wish I had an answer to give you, but it really comes down to what you can afford financially, time wise, and emotional attachment. I've blown a bunch on mine and you will never get the money out of it no matter how great she looks. To everybody else she's just an old 80's Wellcraft, a dime a dozen, free on craigslist. If I were to do it again I would put her back right, but not spend as much as I did on cosmetics.

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

This is the second V I have worked on like this, and I can’t believe what passed As quality. The stringers where open in 4 or 5 places, the bulkhead tops where just cut off & left exposed, and all the drain holes drilled where unsealed. I can’t believe the boat is as good a shape as it is!!
I’m really HOPEFUL about the fuel tank. The foam is dry and the top looks in great shape. I’ll pull it and really inspect it since I’ve come this far. What are poeples options on the coal tar epoxy?

 

[Slightly_Twisted]

More pics