A Day in the Life of.....

[Shlbyntro]

Sweet !

A couple of work benches will make your life heaven, having room to tear stuff down is critical to any shop....

Of course a hoist is hopefully in your future, working on your back sucks!

you mean something like this?

Its on my docket lol

fortunately most of my work is still boats but I imagine itll come in handy

 

[SBMech]

you mean something like this? View attachment 1118781

Its on my docket lol

fortunately most of my work is still boats but I imagine itll come in handy

Hell yea it will, a strap or two and you have a boat hoist!

 

[Shlbyntro]

 

[Shlbyntro]

I did a short little half day today just to get a jump on the short week. First i went to check out this 450 Sundancer thats getting ready to be moved up to Lake Michigan. I have to get the little radar arch taken down as well as replace one of the ACs before it leaves in a month.

then I stopped up by the shop and setup some shelving that @Ace in the Hole kindly gave to me. Im sure itll be filled up in no time!

now Im back at home for my last bit of relaxation before I start spending all my off hours getting ready to move.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Whos up to date on their Greek Mythology? i have to replace a serpentine belt on one of these Greek gods..

 

[monkeyswrench]

Whos up to date on their Greek Mythology? i have to replace a serpentine belt on one of these Greek gods.. View attachment 1121790

You know it's not a small setup when there is a ladder headed down between twin common rails. Looks like fun!

 

[SBMech]

Take a picture of BOTH engines before you take the belts off....

I had a newer cab over box truck come in a few years back, belt was slipping when it shifted under load. Took it off after taking a few pics for reference. After a new belt, tensioner etc, did not fix it, I ended up starting from scratch...

Only to find out the belt was installed incorrectly originally...and it was subtle, a simple wrap under instead of over, but it was indeed the problem.

 

[Shlbyntro]

well it was my first time taking one of these hubs apart, I gotta admit its kinda need actually digging inside and seeing how everything works. pulling all the under armor off to get to the shafts, not so much.

and then the highlight of my day, I picked this baby up for free ninety free cuz it was broken. as it turns out, they work a lot better when you clean the pads and unclog the water pickup

 

[Riverryder]

whats up with that ranger share more pictures! you guys have stuff like that down there? thought it was mud trucks?

 

[Shlbyntro]

whats up with that ranger share more pictures! you guys have stuff like that down there? thought it was mud trucks?

LS powered unfortunately

long travel
Currie 9"
air conditioning/heating
1000w stereo
etc etc


he bought it about 75% complete and I finished it for him. I told him when he blows the engine up im making put a Ford back in it

 

[Shlbyntro]

This bitch will be off before the end of the night!

edit:
after fighting with 4 very corroded mounting bolts and a very stubborn steering cable..

and yes, that motor is swinging from a tree!

 

[monkeyswrench]

This bitch will be off before the end of the night! View attachment 1122235

Does the owner know?

 

[Riverryder]

I told him when he blows the engine up im making put a Ford back in it

I know you are a ford guy. But if you finished it you know that LS is the only way. most all TTs have ls motors…

 

[Shlbyntro]

I know you are a ford guy. But if you finished it you know that LS is the only way. most all TTs have ls motors…

no i finished it that way because a full cage was built around the engine and theres no taking the engine out without cutting the cage off. Its almost like whoever built it knew a Ford guy would be working on it and would want to rip the engine out

 

[HNL2LHC]

and yes, that motor is swinging from a tree!

Very Neanderthal of you Breck. nicely done.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Very Neanderthal of you Breck. nicely done.

I prefer Redneck, thankyou very much! this one was actually for a friend and I told him i have a forklift but he already had it under a tree and was working on the trailer in his backyard so comealong and ratchet straps to the rescue! hes going to leave it hanging there too while his transom is getting welded up

 

[Shlbyntro]

yay! looks like another transmission job is in my future

 

[Shlbyntro]

The last engine I will ever build in my home garage is leaving today for that state with "great weather" Bitter sweet moment.

 

[Shlbyntro]

I had to change a couple batteries in a Formula. no big deal right? wrong! I had to cart them down (and then back up) this never ending cliff side trail. The lake has reached beyond 35' low and the tram at Lakeway Marina will no longer reach the docks. The worst part is much of the trail is steps so theres no pulling wagons around for a good chunk of it. Its also in the 100s today.

Hardest easy money I ever made.

 

[MK1MOD0]

I had to change a couple batteries in a Formula. no big deal right? wrong! I had to cart them down (and then back up) this never ending cliff side trail. The lake has reached beyond 35' low and the tram at Lakeway Marina will no longer reach the docks. The worst part is much of the trail is steps so theres no pulling wagons around for a good chunk of it. Its also in the 100s today.

Hardest easy money I ever made. View attachment 1124992 View attachment 1124993 View attachment 1124994 View attachment 1124995 View attachment 1124996

Always look at the positive. People actually pay to cart heavy shit around !,, CROSSFIT. Lol. Make cash AND get in shape !

 

[Shlbyntro]

oh i told him too. its going to be $xx and its only because im going to have to cart them up and down this hill

 

[Shlbyntro]

The Derig has begun. Well technically the derig is finished. i just have to wrap it all up and stow it below and then I have a couple housekeeping type items the owner wanted me to handle. but the hard part is done. The arch fasteners were literally in "blind fingertip" locations, and that was after i pulled all the access panels. Theres been some good scenery at the marina today too. I might have to work the larger marinas during the weekends more often

its not glamorous work sometimes, and also rather boring, but the piddly add on stuff is often what pays the bills. For instance, on this particular boat, the piddly add on stuff all added up to more than the initial work request "derig the radar arch" and i got it done in less time too. take what you can get.

 

[clarence]

Theres been some good scenery at the marina today too.

Can confirm.

 

[Shlbyntro]

just some basic service on a late 70s Gibson Houseboat today. Twin Crusader 454s. check out this old tag, "Thermo Electron Engine Division" Its a cool piece of history.

It does tickle me when Chevys use Ford oil filters.

I did redo his fuel lines several months ago. I was repairing his generator and when I took the fuel line off, both 150gallon fuel tanks decided they felt like they wanted to empty into the bilge. Can you imagine if he ever sprung a fuel leak?? Its USCG safe now with anti syphon valves, proper valving, and inverted flare fittings down stream of the fuel pumps.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Based on these recent posts I'm assuming the Cobra project is on hold? Spotted it in background....

 

[Shlbyntro]

Based on these recent posts I'm assuming the Cobra project is on hold? Spotted it in background....

well a lot of me moving is because of the shop that comes with the house. the shop is a big deal in the future of the Cobra. I came to a stopping point in what i was able to do in my garage with my limited storage. once I get moved, Ill be putting the lift up and shits gonna start happening really fast again

 

[Shlbyntro]

And I got me another houseboat to bring out of mothballs. I showed up today to do the compression tests after my Gibson and all 6 batteries on board were dead as a doorknob even with still being on a charger. looks like ill be coming back. at least the tram is still connected at this marina

 

[Shlbyntro]

Who likes Fountains?

 

[Duramax]

Who likes Fountains? View attachment 1128098 View attachment 1128099 View attachment 1128100 View attachment 1128101 View attachment 1128102

Some big Arnesons!

 

[Shlbyntro]

theyre ok i guess lol jk. ive known this boat has been coming for a while but he forgot to mention it had Arnesons. you could see his eyes light up when i first saw them and exclaimed "You didnt tell me it had Arnesons!" I cant wait to sea trial this one. I just ripped all the upholstery out of it today so it could be sent out to be redone. and am going to be putting in a whole new entertainment/sound system. when I asked him how crazy he wanted it, "He said as crazy as you can make it!" the only rule with this guy is nothing that looks goddy

 

[Shlbyntro]

Remember that boat I Sea Trialed down in Galvaston a while back? well she was hauled out of the water this morning and is in Austin right now being launched for the holiday weekend.

9f course the batteries were dead when it got here because all the 12v systems were left on but we gor her to the slip!

happy 4th!

 

[4Waters]

Remember that boat I Sea Trialed down in Galvaston a while back? well she was hauled out of the water this morning and is in Austin right now being launched for the holiday weekend.

9f course the batteries were dead when it got here because all the 12v systems were left on but we gor her to the slip!

happy 4th!
View attachment 1132101 View attachment 1132102 View attachment 1132103 View attachment 1132104 View attachment 1132105 View attachment 1132106

Two things. First, was it an F150 towing it? Second DOCK CRUSHER!!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Remember that boat I Sea Trialed down in Galvaston a while back? well she was hauled out of the water this morning and is in Austin right now being launched for the holiday weekend.

9f course the batteries were dead when it got here because all the 12v systems were left on but we gor her to the slip!

happy 4th!
View attachment 1132101 View attachment 1132102 View attachment 1132103 View attachment 1132104 View attachment 1132105 View attachment 1132106

Two things. First, was it an F150 towing it? Second DOCK CRUSHER!!

Ranger could've dunked that thing...no one-fiddy needed!

 

[Shlbyntro]

Two things. First, was it an F150 towing it? Second DOCK CRUSHER!!

actually it was an single wide f350. The strange part was they were using an F450 dually as the blocker vehicle.. it had me scratching my head but hey i guess it worked

 

[Shlbyntro]

Im performing another wonderful overheat service today but at least its not a rush job. and good thing too, I found a fuel leak on this girl.

Todays, PSA:
Mercruiser Gen3 Cool Fuel modules (all of them, across all standard production inboard engines and some race engines) when exposed to ethanol blended fuels over time will start to leak from their gasketed surfaces; especially in the areas around the pump cap and fuel pressure regulator. There is usually a runability issue associated with this caused by high fuel pressure and/or clogged fuel injectors. Mercruiser does have a service bulletin out for this particular problem. If it is leaking, it is also a fire/explosion hazard. Please keep up with your boats service needs and regularly check for fuel leaks

 

[Shlbyntro]

i dont know if its true for all mechanics but every year for me, there is a rash of the same kind of work that you dont come across on a regular/normal basis. For instance, Last year for me it was vaporlock issues and installing fuel pumps and boost pumps on it seams like 1 out of every 3 boats. The year before that, I think I did about 2 dozen sets of exhaust manifolds. And the year before that, about 20 gimbal rings.

Well this year is proving to be the year of vdrive transmissions. Im currently working on #2 and I have 2 more all cued up and in the pipeline for as soon as Im finished with this one

 

[coolchange]

i dont know if its true for all mechanics but every year for me, there is a rash of the same kind of work that you dont come across on a regular/normal basis. For instance, Last year for me it was vaporlock issues and installing fuel pumps and boost pumps on it seams like 1 out of every 3 boats. The year before that, I think I did about 2 dozen sets of exhaust manifolds. And the year before that, about 20 gimbal rings.

Well this year is proving to be the year of vdrive transmissions. Im currently working on #2 and I have 2 more all cued up amd in the pipeline for as soon as Im finished with this one View attachment 1134975

I find that after doing multiple repeat jobs making patterns and specialty tools is a good way to insure I’ll never have to do another one

 

[Shlbyntro]

I find that after doing multiple repeat jobs making patterns and specialty tools is a good way to insure I’ll never have to do another one

lol figures.....
Ive got custom slotted studs I built for doing the exhaust manifolds, custom thin wrenches for doing the gimbal rings, and no special tools but I built my own custom boost pump kit for gen2 cool fuel engines using parts off a 1st gen 496.

engine/trans combo is ready to come out but the shaft is stuck. gonna have to come back tomorrow with a bigger shaft puller

 

[Duramax]

Im performing another wonderful overheat service today but at least its not a rush job. and good thing too, I found a fuel leak on this girl.

Todays, PSA:
Mercruiser Gen3 Cool Fuel modules (all of them, across all standard production inboard engines and some race engines) when exposed to ethanol blended fuels over time will start to leak from their gasketed surfaces; especially in the areas around the pump cap and fuel pressure regulator. There is usually a runability issue associated with this caused by high fuel pressure and/or clogged fuel injectors. Mercruiser does have a service bulletin out for this particular problem. If it is leaking, it is also a fire/explosion hazard. Please keep up with your boats service needs and regularly check for fuel leaks View attachment 1134368 View attachment 1134369

Interesting info. @nganga and multiple other 700 owners have had issues, and everybody is starting to have the same thought....why the cooler at all?

 

[Shlbyntro]

Interesting info. @nganga and multiple other 700 owners have had issues, and everybody is starting to have the same thought....why the cooler at all?

The only feasible alternative to keep the fuel pumps cool is an in-tank pump which multiple manufactures are starting to switch to, Ilmor and Indmar being the most notable

 

[Shlbyntro]

And we have progress. The new heavybduty shaft puller worked like a dream. The engine/Trans combo are out of the boat and the transmission has been changed over. Theres a guy who will be cleaning the bilge for me and it sounds like Im going to be able to upsell some gravy service work while the engine is out. As an added bonus, the new transmission came with a brand new cooler that doesnt fit the application so the old cooler will be cleaned, flushed, and pressure checked; and it looks an aweful lot like my Hallett Flatty just got a brand spankin new $400 oil cooler!!! It was a slow start today but am happy with everything I got done and the oil cooler is just the icing on top

 

[Shlbyntro]

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

The only feasible alternative to keep the fuel pumps cool is an in-tank pump which multiple manufactures are starting to switch to, Ilmor and Indmar being the most notable

I went another direction with my 700 issues. I replaced the "Errormotive" fuel pump with a Weldon D2015-A. The fuel does not pass through the motor part of the pump, unlike the Aeromotive. I removed the bracket that the factory pump sits on that is under the front of the motor. The filter is a Mercury pre-filter from 1100-1350 (I Think). The element is 3 micron, 300GPH and is Water separating. I also added a return to tank, which was insisted on by three of the most reputable Hi-Perf. marine engine builders. The bracket id just 2-1/2" mild steel angle. I'll address it after the season.

I took the cooler out of the loop completely.

I removed, from the engines completely, the factory, water-separator, pressure regulator & mechanical lift pump and capped it off. In place of the regulator, I added a Weldon A2040 bypass regulator. It has 2, #10ORB inlet and one #8ORB bypass (return to tank) In one photo, the #8 push-lok comes from the regulator. It took me, one buddy and @Bowtiepower00 about 45 minutes ramp time to get the pressures adjusted. Had to make one more while out testing.

After one successful, 6 day trip, I learned that the Weldon pump, isn't internally checked. The 700 ECM program runs the fuel pump 3 seconds upon key-up and stops. The fuel pumps run again once the crank trigger is turned. What was happening was the pressure would bleed back through the pump. I added a Fuelab #8ORB, in line check to both sides.

The plumbing is a significant part of this. I'm in the hydraulic/hose/coupling business so it was easy for me to just look and know what I needed. For someone who doesn't it would be a huge goat-rope. Even AT MY COST, I have 1800-2000 just in SS plumbing.

So far, its worked fine. No weird codes or guardian.

Weldon Pump LLC A2040-281-A-200 Weldon A2040 Series Bypass Regulators | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Weldon A2040 Series Bypass Regulators with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Fuel Pressure Regulators at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[Shlbyntro]

I went another direction with my 700 issues. I replaced the "Errormotive" fuel pump with a Weldon D2015-A. The fuel does not pass through the motor part of the pump, unlike the Aeromotive. I removed the bracket that the factory pump sits on that is under the front of the motor. The filter is a Mercury pre-filter from 1100-1350 (I Think). The element is 3 micron, 300GPH and is Water separating. I also added a return to tank, which was insisted on by three of the most reputable Hi-Perf. marine engine builders. The bracket id just 2-1/2" mild steel angle. I'll address it after the season.

I took the cooler out of the loop completely.

I removed, from the engines completely, the factory, water-separator, pressure regulator & mechanical lift pump and capped it off. In place of the regulator, I added a Weldon A2040 bypass regulator. It has 2, #10ORB inlet and one #8ORB bypass (return to tank) In one photo, the #8 push-lok comes from the regulator. It took me, one buddy and @Bowtiepower00 about 45 minutes ramp time to get the pressures adjusted. Had to make one more while out testing.

After one successful, 6 day trip, I learned that the Weldon pump, isn't internally checked. The 700 ECM program runs the fuel pump 3 seconds upon key-up and stops. The fuel pumps run again once the crank trigger is turned. What was happening was the pressure would bleed back through the pump. I added a Fuelab #8ORB, in line check to both sides.

The plumbing is a significant part of this. I'm in the hydraulic/hose/coupling business so it was easy for me to just look and know what I needed. For someone who doesn't it would be a huge goat-rope. Even AT MY COST, I have 1800-2000 just in SS plumbing.

So far, its worked fine. No weird codes or guardian.

View attachment 1135859

View attachment 1135860

View attachment 1135862

View attachment 1135863

Weldon Pump LLC A2040-281-A-200 Weldon A2040 Series Bypass Regulators | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Weldon A2040 Series Bypass Regulators with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Fuel Pressure Regulators at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Sounds like a nice setup, albeit a little over engineered

 

[Duramax]

Sounds like a nice setup, albeit a little over engineered

I think Mercury is over engineered. At 140mph, it's no fun going into guardian mode because your pump has failed for the fifth time.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

I think Mercury is over engineered. At 140mph, it's no fun going into guardian mode because your pump has failed for the fifth time.

"Or 7th"

 

[Duramax]

@Shlbyntro, maybe I missed it, but what marina is this?

Does the marina have mechanics and are you just a sublet, or do you take care of everything?

Is the gentlemen with the bad ass prerunner a friend you do work for or just a great client.

Great thread, I really enjoy it.

 

[Shlbyntro]

@Shlbyntro, maybe I missed it, but what marina is this?

Does the marina have mechanics and are you just a sublet, or do you take care of everything?

Is the gentlemen with the bad ass prerunner a friend you do work for or just a great client.

Great thread, I really enjoy it.

This is Lake Travis Marina. Technically my previous employer pays the marina a lot of money annually (well into the 5 figures) for the right to call this marina their home and use it commercially. However I own a 14x34 and a 14x36 slip at this marina and the board president happens to be one of my about a dozen customers at LTM. I have a good foot hold to say the least.

The gentleman with the bad ass prerunner is kind of a unique situation. I started out by playing with and fixing some of his toys here and there and he slowly started throwing more and more at me to the point where we had to come to some sort of arrangement which I can say involves my new shop and is mutually beneficial but i dont like to openly advertise all the details, especially on the internet.

 

[C-Ya]

This is Lake Travis Marina. Technically my previous employer pays the marina a lot of money annually (well into the 5 figures) for the right to call this marina their home and use it commercially. However I own a 14x34 and a 14x36 slip at this marina and the board president happens to be one of my about a dozen customers at LTM. I have a good foot hold to say the least.

The gentleman with the bad ass prerunner is kind of a unique situation. I started out by playing with and fixing some of his toys here and there and he slowly started throwing more and more at me to the point where we had to come to some sort of arrangement which I can say involves my new shop and is mutually beneficial but i dont like to openly advertise all the details, especially on the internet.

Just out of curiosity…… What are the slips worth?

Btw, I too enjoy this thread.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Just out of curiosity…… What are the slips worth?

Btw, I too enjoy this thread.

Lets play a game, what does everyone think they are worth?

The 14x36 is covered with 14' clearance and is on an outer finger with an oversized walkway and an unobstructed view of the lake to the SE and an "in slip" pump out. The 14x34 is also on an outer oversized walkway with 13' cover and an unobstructed view of the lake to the NE.