1953 Aqua Skier-In Australia
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27999
Printed Date: October-05-2024 at 3:46pm
Topic: 1953 Aqua Skier-In Australia
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Subject: 1953 Aqua Skier-In Australia
Date Posted: October-04-2012 at 12:43am
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Hi Guys I purchased a 1953 Aua Skier from the states almost a year ago. It has taken a while to get here...long way to get down under.  We started and ran the old girl up, I have a 112 Gray marine engine, it has a badly leaking exhaust manifold, and a few stuck valve guides. My biggest problem is the exhaust manifold...does anyone know where i could get a new one (thats if they make them) Thanks for your help  ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Replies:
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: October-04-2012 at 1:13am
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Welcome Dan.Engine picture looks nice,how about some of the boat. Not to step on our experts ie Pete, toes http://www.graymarineparts.com/" rel="nofollow - here is a place I remember him saying has parts. Not sure they have what you want but it's a start. If I'm mistaken I'm sure someone will know,good luck ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: October-04-2012 at 3:39am
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Thanks Gary I will get some photo's, she is in bits at the moment as i am making sure it is up to scratch, just got the generator re wired to 12 volt, going to re do the trailer and do paint over gal.  ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: October-04-2012 at 3:43am
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Hi Gary just checked out that link, i email this web site about 3 weeks ago, i recieved no responce. I sent in all my details and photos. Maybe he may see my post and help me out, I believe this is the only one of it's kind in Australia, i really want to get it up and running for our Summer...which is on our door step. cheers Gary Regards Daniel ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-04-2012 at 8:07am
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Daniel, Welcome to CCfan and congratulations on picking up that Aqua. From the picture, it looks like a very nice restoration. Where is the exhaust manifold leaking? Gray Marine Parts is notorious for not responding. It's even hard to get him on the phone. The owner bought up all the inventory when the Gray plant finally shut the doors. He has a whole warehouse full of boxes of parts and to my knowledge hasn't even opened them all up and done an inventory! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: October-04-2012 at 8:32pm
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Cheers Mate, It has been repaired about 6 times, it's pretty stuffed, if i cannot locate one soon, i will make one, i just wanted to keep it in orginal spec, but it is no good sitting in the shed collecting dust, i want to use it. any help would be greatly appreciated cheers Daniel ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: juniorwoody
Date Posted: October-04-2012 at 9:05pm
Very sweet lookin boat and to think its almost 60 years old. You have yourself a treasure  ------------- The value of money spent on new adventure far exceeds the value of money saved for the future |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: December-03-2012 at 9:25pm
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Hi Guys just wanted to touch base and let you know that i have been in contact with Kim from Gray Marine, I cannot praise him enough, he has been extremly helpful. I have a new (old) complete motor and other parts heading my way, should leave the states in the next two weeks. Once i get this all sorted i will keep you updated and post some pics. cheers Daniel ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 1:35am
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Hello again i need to do some trailer mods to get it registered, does anyone know the approx weight of trailer and boat, if it is over 1650 LBS which i think it is, i need to put brakes on it....any help would be great cheers Daniel ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 2:31am
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Dan there was just a thread one of your fellow countryman had posted- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28469&title=brake-cylinders-availability" rel="nofollow - first link http://wake.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=33573" rel="nofollow - 2nd link this is the one that has the trailer question. I would be real surprised if your boat would weigh as much as a 2001 series. What would be wrong figuring it weighs about 1599 lbs? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 11:57am
The 16' glass boats are 1600 lbs, add 450 lbs for the #2 trailer and youre over 2,000... I would think a similarly sized wood boat would be a few lbs heavier, if anything. A 2001 is ~2200 lbs, not including the trailer (which is probably in the 900-1000lb range). How big is a '53 Aqua? Either way, I would have no problem towing a rig that size without brakes with a half way capable tow vehicle- Ive towed much larger (north of 3500 lbs) without issue with a midsize SUV. ------------- |
Gary S wrote:Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 12:46pm
His problem Tim is not if his vehicle can handle the weight,it's his countries laws. I don't know what the consequences would be if he fudged on the weight. Almost sounds like they don't check and rely on the owner telling them what it is. If it was not for CCF where would he find the weight on a 59 year old rig in another country  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 1:09pm
Oh I realize that. But it seems a little reckless to recommend whether or not to fudge the numbers without knowing the local conventions and consequences. I know what Id do in my state though! ------------- |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 3:15pm
I agree thats why I refered him to those other posts.It seems others there might be doing it already, but that would be his call. Lewey and him need to get together! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 8:09pm
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Thanks Gents I am strippiing the trailer now and have to put an Austrlian hitch (50mm) on it, i am just going to put a new axel and brakes on it just to be on the safe side, they way will not have any hassels with the Law...would reck a good day out. If i do it now at the begining i know everything will be Legal and Safe. Thank you all for your input, really appreciate it. will keep you posted as i kick things along. Cheers Daniel Picture of my & year old Son helping me out  ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: lewy2001
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 8:36pm
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Dan would love to get a look at that Aqua one day. Are you the Nautique owner JBWake mentioned in the Owners Reunion thread on Wake.com? For our US friends the trailer laws in Australia are very different than yours. If the GVM (trailer plus boat) exceeds 750Kgs (1653 lbs) the trailer must have brakes. ------------- If you're going through hell, keep going http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2999" rel="nofollow - 89 Ski <a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5685" ta |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: December-05-2012 at 11:44pm
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Yep that's me... Small world if you could keep this under your Hat, will be a suprise for owners reunion. ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: December-06-2012 at 9:12am
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tell us more about that super air in the back! is it yours? ------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: December-06-2012 at 8:19pm
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Ha Ha nice one Kapla i was waiting how long that would take. It is a one off Custom Byerly Icon Edition. Cheers ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: March-18-2013 at 2:37am
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hello Gents I got the Aua out on the water over the weekend http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.553040701393153.1073741825.151511744879386&type=1 all went really well. 1 problem but, it will not stay in gear, low rpm is ok, any things i should try? i have taken of inspection plate, ontop of gear box... help thanks in advance Daniel ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: March-18-2013 at 8:13am
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Daniel, The drum holding the forward clutch plates needs to be tightened (not the reverse band around the drum). The outer drum is threaded onto the inner drum and you will find a retaining pin. Remove the pin and tighten the drum one turn. The shift should now "knuckle" over into gear. Since the trans shares engine oil, DO NOT use any synthetics or any additives. Straight 30 was used back then but multi is fine. I as well as many I know with the mechanical trans run it. I run 20-50. http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.553040701393153.1073741825.151511744879386&type=1" rel="nofollow - Here's a proper link with your pictures. PLEASE DO NOT BEACH THAT AQUA. I don't even like to see a glass boat beached. I take it this is your first wood boat? Does it take on any water? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Aussie Aqua
Date Posted: March-18-2013 at 9:20pm
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Thank you very much, will get onto that and see how i go. That is the oil I picked as well. I never beach my boats, i always drop weights in and hitch up to them. I am always amazed why people beach there boats even brand new ones! Yes this is my first woody... yes it leakes, it has a small drip coming though the driveshaft knuckle, but i am not worried about that one, I will have to go looking for the other ones, i was thinking of putting in a electric bilge pump. thanks for doing the correct link... Thank you again for helping me out, i really appreciate it. cheers Daniel ------------- Aussie Aqua |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: March-18-2013 at 10:37pm
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Daniel, I made a mistake with saying the drum needs to be tightened "one turn". What I meant to say is tighten the drum one notch of the retaining pin. The boat looks great but it's a ply boat and it should not leak except for the shaft stuffing box. If it is leaking at seams, then it only got a "cosmetic" restoration. When you find the leaks, fill me in. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |