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prski
Groupie Joined: August-02-2016 Location: 30004 Status: Offline Points: 41 |
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Posted: December-12-2017 at 8:51am |
I'm having the stringers and floor replaced on my 86 Nautique. The Ford 351 engine has 800 hours and 2 summers ago the compression test was very good. No visible leaks or issues but wondering if there is anything I should do maintenance wise while the engine is out of the boat.
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paul
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63 Skier
Grand Poobah Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4232 |
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Assuming all normal seasonal and preventive maintenance has been done well, there's absolutely nothing you need to do on an 800 hour well cared for motor with good compression. You can put it right back in and run it for another thousand hours with no problem. Having said that, if you have the itch to add some power to it, with some upgraded components you can bring that up to the 300 horsepower level, simple to do but cost a few bucks.
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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Smithfamily
Platinum Member Joined: December-26-2007 Location: Orlando, Fl Status: Offline Points: 1602 |
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Good question. 800 hours is not much, but it is out of the boat and ideal opportunity. Lets see what the experts say. Paint it is a given? Pictures??
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Js
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KENO
Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10652 |
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You might consider a new damper plate since if it's the original it's 32 years old and they seem to fail at the least convenient times. I don't think anybody can give you a good answer as to number of hours it will last.
Yours could last a lot longer, then again it could die a week after you get the boat back in the water It would be a lot easier with the engine and transmission out of the boat and it's around a hundred bucks and a little of your time |
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75 Tique
Grand Poobah Joined: August-12-2004 Location: Seven Lakes, NC Status: Offline Points: 6100 |
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Standard Disclaimer: I am not an engine guy. By what I've heard, damper plate is a good idea. But my main contribution is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" Can't tell you how many times I've read on here: "My boat was working OK, but I decided to (insert verb) my (insert engine component) and when I put it back together, it wouldn't start. Any ideas?"
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“So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
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prski
Groupie Joined: August-02-2016 Location: 30004 Status: Offline Points: 41 |
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i'm having trouble uploading a pic of my engine but will keep trying. thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!
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paul
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SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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I would replace the rear main seal since it is so old.
Rubber age hardens, so even though it doen't have that many hrs, it could start leaking anytime. Might as well take care of it while it is easy to get to, just my 2 cents. |
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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KENO
Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10652 |
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I thought I'd mention the rear main when I mentioned the damper plate but I was undecided and figured I'd see if somebody else mentioned it It almost falls into the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" category, but being a 1 piece seal it's easier than a 2 piece. Using that logic the front seal is the same age as the rear and fairly easy also, |
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prski
Groupie Joined: August-02-2016 Location: 30004 Status: Offline Points: 41 |
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I love my old nautique but I don’t know much about the mechanics of it so I really appreciate all of the advice. I’ll take it and get this done while the engine is out. Many thanks!
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paul
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JoeinNY
Grand Poobah Joined: October-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5693 |
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I don't know about that seal replacement stuff... if it isn't leaking now I wouldn't replace it. I have seen more new seals leak than I have seen randomly start to leak from ageing of rubber.
If there are leaks I would be fixing them... if not you might create a bunch of new ones. |
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KENO
Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10652 |
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That's what I was getting at with the seals. You might make things worse I'd leave it alone, somebody else might not. |
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MourningWood
Gold Member Joined: June-13-2014 Location: NorCal Status: Offline Points: 886 |
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Since they're very easy to inspect while motor is out, might inspect the hoses for cracking/hardness. If you have the oil-drain hose (long red one) take a good look at that, esp. down near oil pan. Same thing: hardness/cracking.
If the raw water impeller isn't part of annual maintenance, it's easy too. |
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1994 Ski Nautique "Riot"
1964 Dunphy X-55 "One 'N Dun" 'I measured twice, cut three times, and it's still too short!" |
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prski
Groupie Joined: August-02-2016 Location: 30004 Status: Offline Points: 41 |
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how much more difficult would repairing a seal leak be if it happens after the motor is back in the boat?
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paul
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prski
Groupie Joined: August-02-2016 Location: 30004 Status: Offline Points: 41 |
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sound advice, thank you
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paul
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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It has been attempted in the boat but to me, the engine needs to come back out. |
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TRBenj
Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21109 |
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^^for rear main, I agree. Not something I would attempt in-Boat.
Timing cover seal is nbd. |
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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In this case I would leave it well alone. However if I had one that needed changing I would give it a go to do it in the boat. They didnt use to pull the engine on a car or truck to do it, they'd pull the trans. They even made a tool to change the older rope seal with the engine in place and I believe the two piece ones could be changed in place too. Obviously those could not be done since you have to drop the pan but a one piece I'd give it a try.
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JoeinNY
Grand Poobah Joined: October-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5693 |
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It just depends on the tools and workspace you have available at the time, with an overhead chain lift and engine stand close by you can pull an engine and reinstall it in well under two hours round trip - in which case I would rather do the seal with the engine upside down in front of me than with me upside down in the bilge. |
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TRBenj
Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21109 |
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Depends on the boat also. Getting the oil pan off a deep vee is a non starter for the seal styles held captive in a main cap.
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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I remember Dad pulling the motor to change the seal in the Shamrock. Shade tree hobbyists we are,we had to use a tree because that thing sits so high on the trailer we had nothing else that would reach. At the time we always talked about doing the Florida boat, leaving it in the water and using a davit to do the heavy work. Plan is still the same with the other 'rock.
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KENO
Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10652 |
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I've done a seal in the boat and it wasn't bad.
It was a mid 80's SN with a 1 piece seal like prski has. It was a friends boat with around 3000 hours at the time After unhooking the shaft coupling, we jacked the back of the engine up till it was level slid the transmission off, took off the bellhousing,damper and flywheel and there was that leaky seal staring right at us.(I'd call this a quick overview and not a step by step guide) Did the seal laying down on the floor only slightly contorted. 2 piece, I wouldn't even consider it. |
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7946 |
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I can't think of any good reason to mess with a rear main seal that is not leaking.
The dampner plate is a toss up. How often do they go? We bought a very similar engine 2 years ago from a CCF member and the only thing we did was replace all the hoses, belts and impeller prior to installing it in its new boat. |
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KENO
Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10652 |
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Here's a thread with some inspiration for ya' Gary. inspiration |
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