time for winter repairs and maintenence

[Orlando]

76 v20 cuddywith a 78 175 johnny, i figure its time to do some repairs i been putting off because they will be time consuming. i purchased the boat beginning of last summer and was more interested in using then fixing. Projects i plan on doing this winter:

Install lowrance elite 5 fishfinder and chartplotter i got for x-mas
install new cdi coils, plugs and wires
Replace head gaskets, diverters, thermostats,and impeller
Rebuild carbs
Pull and clean saddlebag gas tanks
Rewire the rats nest under the dash
Rebuild fuel pumps
replace every frigging fuel/vent hose on the boat
relocate fuel vents
Install 15hp nissan kicker motor

this is the list i can think of at the moment. I have a quick question for you guys, im sure i will have more as i proceed with these projects. Question number one is how hard is it to remove fuel tanks and clean them out good? looking for tips or previous "ah s***" moments so i know what to watch for. Thanks guys

 

[reelapeelin]

76 v20 cuddywith a 78 175 johnny, i figure its time to do some repairs i been putting off because they will be time consuming. i purchased the boat beginning of last summer and was more interested in using then fixing. Projects i plan on doing this winter:

Install lowrance elite 5 fishfinder and chartplotter i got for x-mas
install new cdi coils, plugs and wires
Replace head gaskets, diverters, thermostats,and impeller
Rebuild carbs
Pull and clean saddlebag gas tanks
Rewire the rats nest under the dash
Rebuild fuel pumps
replace every frigging fuel/vent hose on the boat
relocate fuel vents
Install 15hp nissan kicker motor

this is the list i can think of at the moment. I have a quick question for you guys, im sure i will have more as i proceed with these projects. Question number one is how hard is it to remove fuel tanks and clean them out good? looking for tips or previous "ah s***" moments so i know what to watch for. Thanks guys

I just installed a new Elite 5 in mine and LIKE IT A LOT!!...My 1st V20 was a '74 and had tanks like yours...remove and return are fairly simple, especially if yer gonna replace existing hoses...the best item on your list is relocating the vent fitting...below the rub rail, mine took on water like crazy in rough water turns...I ultimately discarded the factory tanks altogether and built seat boxes on each side w/fuel tanks in them...DOUBLED fuel capacity to 80 gals...if you go that route get back to me as there are some cautions you'll want to know....

 

[Orlando]

I have admired your work with the seats and tanks since i first found this site, just isnt in the budget at this point. im not having problems with the factory tanks yet, just want to clean em out and get everything in a reliable condition. other modifications will come eventually, once i have more to spend on them and learn to do fiberglass work. as to the vent fittings, i plan on mounting them right behind where the windshield ends as far up as i can get them. Seems to be the best place especially after reading other posts on that issue. where did you mount the transducer for your elite 5? i was going to put mine right behind the 1st step from the keel on the starboard side.again seems to be the general concensus as to best location. going to shield the transducer wires to avoid interference from other wiring down that side. still got to figure out a good place to mount the unit on the dash though, not alot of room, i think the newer v20s have more of a dashboard

 

[Orlando]

found another thing that needs replaced, thats the fuel water seperator/filter, the part with the fittings has a crack in it. any suggestions on a good one for the application, most of the ones im seeing only have a 15gph max and i know the johnny 175 is thirstier then that when wound up, dont want to risk running lean on the rare occassions i actually go to wot. would perfer to run just one instead of one for each tank.

on an up note, thats probably the reason it was surging at higher rpms last time i went fishing. still doing all the other stuff just to be sure though