The journey

Chris - I would run it & see what your WOT RPM is. They aren't bad props, just not latest technology.   If RPM is OK(4800-5000), start a piggy bank fund for a 2014 Acme upgrade.

Some of you were asking about the prop selection on the 176.

I forgot to take a picture of the 3blade that's on the boat now, this one came as an extra.

Anyone know if this is a good prop for this boat/engine combo?

I'll get some info on the 3 blade friday.

Any luck gettting those manifolds loose and off?

EDIT: I now see your other post concerning removing the manifolds.

Nice looking boat.

Donald

I haven't updated in a while but I was able to do some work on the boat last week.

Replaced the impeller, distributer cap, rotor, and I pulled the swim platform off for a side project while I'm waiting for parts.

It was pretty rough when I got it off. It looks like someone used polyurethane at one point but it was so old that it cracked off. There were traces of it in the cracks between the boards.

I used the starbrite kit that comes with cleaner, brightener, and oil. Got it for $30 at the local outdoor world. In addition i had a rotary sander, a 3D sander, and lots of reps with a sanding block.



bottom


This is after an entire afternoon of sanding.




Here it is after the cleaner and brightener were used.




After one application of Teak oil. There will be many more applications to follow but I'm letting it soak for the week while I'm at work.

That's a sweet 176. Glad it found a great home. Looks like you already have a cover but if you're in the market for a bimini I have a grey one that will no longer fit on my 176. If you're interested let me know, it's just taking up room in my garage now.

Yea your not kidding Chris. I'm just blurring my eyes on purpose when I look at the trailer.

Yea, you mean the "he seemed like a nice guy but kept to himself" post murder news interviews done with yellow tape and spotlights in the background.
And the Wisconsin comment, well, hey dar to you, we're proud to be north of the cheddar curtain, don't ya know!

Yea I was prepared for the worst after all the CQ stories I've been hearing. He seemed like a pretty normal guy to me. However, I guess that's how murderers lure their prey in. On the news they are always described as "normal".

Nice looking boat, it's only money.

I just uploaded a video of the engine running.

Short but sweet.


Video

another

Video 2

+1 on Tim's Osco assessment. I have an old pair from my 70 Ford 302. I believe they weigh as much as a bare block and are as attractive as a manure spreader on you swim platform.

Somebody around here (TRBenj, storm34, Reidp, Alan, etc.) has got to have a set of manifolds laying around from an upgrade or from one of their 10 boats.

Electrical stuff is one of my stronger areas of knowledge. I can get it all working but its just a time consuming process. I don't mind doing it at all.

The engine sounded like a gasoline powered T-Rex. Beautiful. There was some vibration in the lower RPM range but nothing to be worried about yet.

This poor girl has just spun for the first time in years and I think everything needs to settle in again before I start tinkering.

Thanks Joel!! You're more than welcome to jump on the boat when it's up and running!

As for today’s progress.......we have The Good, The Bad, and The Terrible.

Quinner took the time to come up and waste his Saturday to help me get this thing started. I can't thank you enough.

The Good--------WE GOT IT STARTED!!!!!!

Quinner pulled the impeller while I lubed the heads and turned the engine a few times. After this I connected the battery and turned the key........click.......then smoke. The engine didn't even try to turn over. I played with some wires and tried it again and noticed the positive battery cable was arcing. The wires had separated just enough to cause a sort inside the cable. We did our best to get it back together for a hail marry pass.

This time the little guy fired right up, coughed a bunch of black stuff out the pipe, and started idling nicely. It sounded really nice.

The impeller (getting replaced).



The Bad----------I took one step forward and seven steps back. I couldn't get a reading on the temp gauge, the oil pressure gauge was just pegged to full, and the fuel gauge wasn't indication correctly. There is some sort of electrical gremlin behind the dash that will require some more time.

The distributer cap and rotor will need to be replaced for sure. It's like the magical world or corrosion.




The Terrible--------------The manifolds are cracked. When we got it running they started leaking right away. Not a lot of volume but a pretty constant drip. I knew they were REALLY REALLY corroded, however, after running the engine they took on an entirely different shape and color. The pictures speak for themselves.





******If anyone knows where I can find a used set of manifolds, PLEASE let me know so I can sleep at night.

Quinner........thanks again bud!!!!! Beer is on me.

Thanks Andy!

Yea it's definitely a project but I guess relatively speaking, others have done waaaaaay more than I have to. I'm very happy to have saved this little hot rod from its very shallow grave.

I did fly the seaplanes in the VI. I was based in St. croix for the last 5 years. Ill post some pics.