1972 18' Greavette Sunflash IV psudo-blog

Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Another screw-up on my part....

While looking at marine pully sets at the marine distributors websites (listing for obsenely high dollars) I came across a great deal from CVF racing on a complete set for SBC (crank, w/p, alt and p/s) for a reasonable amount...so, I orderd one.

At first glance they looked great. However, I soon found out that the spacing for the belt grooves on the circulating water pump was not right. So I ponied up, and ordered a marine one (from a marine specialist store). So, Then I'm working on the crank pully, the spacing was right but...(and you guessed it) it was not lining up correctly which triggered another call and order to the marine shop.

Last night while working on the power steering pump I realized, that after I purchased a new bolt on type saginaw P/S pump (to fit the keyway pulley) that the belt groove does not line up on this pully either! I'm such an idot!!! None of the stinkin' pullys in that kit fit a boat.

Now I'll probably go back to the original pump and have to buy a new alloy pully and get it pressed on....unless I can think of a better solution.

Why is it that one company can make a set of four alloy pulleys for $160 and one pulley from a marine shop costs the same.

NOTE***** Mercruiser applications have unique pullys. Doh!
 
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Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Just going to bed...and found out I'm going to a canoe restoration/repair workshop tomorrow morning (leaving at 6:00 AM to get there). The afternoon topic is Prop repair...

Looks like no work on MY boat tomorrow!
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
The Canoe workshop was very interesting and I learned a few things .

The afternoon workshop was a "prop shop" and that blew me away.
They repair all types of props up to 50" in diameter! Walked us through every stage...theey also repair lower ends and straighten shafts as well.
They will also help "tune" your prop to your application from 5HP trolling motor to 800 HP poker run boat...

This shop does work from the entire east coast from Northern Ontario to Florida. Has a shop staff of 9 people busy all week, every week. Just amazing.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
While I have been waiting for some fuel system parts I have spent some time re-checking progress thus far....

I moved some of the wiring looms to ensure the best placement of the harness and I have also re-taped some sections as well as added some "zap straps" (or wire ties). I have re-torqued the manifolds, pulleys, brackets and anything else I could see that I personally installed. Then I re-worked the positions of the cooling hoses for a better fit and eliminate any chance of "rubbing through" (that might create a leak).

Totally bored and with nothing to do...yesterday I decided to scare myself. I opened the brand spanking new Edelbrock carburettor... after reading the instructions (several times) I decided to tackle the re-calibration process. This process is necessary for the 600cfm carb to work with a 4.3V6 insted of the more common V8 application.

Now, to me carbs are a "black art"...I understand the theories, but have personally NEVER been able get any results (should say positive results) when messing with them. This dates back to me installing a Holly 4bbl on my Dads 1969 Ford Fairlane 302 when I was 17. I cannot jet my snowmobile carbs, fix my lawnmower carb or set up the downdraft Delleroto on my old RX7. So what possesed me to do this? I dunno.

BUT, it went well... all new (clean) carb that never seen fuel, clean desk (my office desk), proper tools, step by step instructions , good lighting, some patience...and presto! it's done 2 metering rods, 4 metering jets and 2 springs....easy peasy.

I was so happy I went and installed the carb (also without issue). Feeling quite good with myself, I then took my 2bbl spark arrestor and modified it for a 4bbl...and that worked too. I'm a frikkin' genius! (or at least I felt like one yesterday).

Today, I'm still waiting for the new fuel pump, fuel filter and carburettor supply pipe.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Today, I decided to tackle (or re-visit) the power steering pump situation.
Now, I actually have 3 new alloy pullys for the pump.

The first was absolutely the wrong application. See post 42. Another 2 piece pulley from Dennis Moore Marine showed up this week and I'm still waiting on yet another singe piece press on one (looks like stock, only aluminum) from Eddy Marine.

I went back to my old pump, borrowed a puller from my local auto tech and the old press on pulley was off in a snap. With this handy-dandy pulley tool in hand, I had nothing to loose so, I decided to try to install the two piece version. The shank pressed on easily but I had to bolt the pulley up and press it the rest of the way down to get the proper spacing. When the face of the pulley was flush with the shaft well, "Bobs yer uncle"...all perfect.

I bolted the pump on the motor, re-installed the pulley and belt and everything aligned perfectly! I was so pleased I even took a crack at changing the alternator pulley to an alloy one (the only part of the original 4 piece kit to work). I was able to release the alternator nut and the rest was butter....right up to installing the fancy cover.

So... now I hope the fuel pump and supply pipe gets here soon,
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
It's been a couple of weeks and not much has happened...
I am STILL waiting for my Holly mechanical fuel pump (they can't be that rare). Also waiting on exhaust hoses and new 8x3 Gaffrig spark arrestor.

The shop has finished welding up the aluminum I cut for the engine cradle and I have the braided line and fittings for the power steering hydraulics. The new power steering resevoir bottle has arrived with the solid fuel supply line, fuel block, inline fuel pressure gauge, AN fitting and fuel filter.

I have installed the fuel line, block and gauge. I will wait for final hardline installation to see if I put the filter nearer to the pump or the gauge.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
I assembled and installed the braided lines for the power steering last night. A little tricky as I have changed the push-on ends in favour of compression fittings and I'm dealing with an abundance of NPT and AN sizing.

Not sure how I will route the lines from the front of the engins..over the intake manifold as the factory did or, down the starboard side of the engine to match the line running down the port side from the cooler.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
`Wow!! Been no updates for a while as I`ve been so busy with my new company and with parts arriving for the motor.

Fuel pump finally came and I had to dis-assemble it and re-configure to enable the best fuel line routing. Used AN-6 fittings with braided fuel line to connect to carb supply line. Had to delete the fuel block & gauges as there just wasn`t enough room. Installed a neon yellow vent tube from fuel pump to carb.

Used heavy duty bolt type clamps to install all the marine exhaust hose.
Installed all new mallory marine ignition wires.
Wire tied all harness` and secured all lines and hoses to stop rubbing.

Finalized the engine cradle and revised mounts with the aluminum welder...picking up today.

Got the boat home on Saturday, pulled the entire interior and re routed and wire tied the wire harness from dash to engine bay. Installer (last summer) really mickey moused this part. I also installed the new harness for the Bennett trim tabs so it all looks neat and tidy now.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
The motor is finally finished and ready to go to the dyno...

The engine cradle I made to adapt the V6 stringer motor mounts to the old frame type mounts needed some re-working. I eliminated the adjustable motor mount plates and just solid welded them as the factory height adjustment should be enough. I have also had to do a little woodworking for clearance of the solid cradle.

I am painting the bilge this week and fabricating new decking for both sides of the engine compartment. This I will cover in grey vinyl flooring and trim with aluminum angle.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
I also got a new carpet. I was looking at marine carpet from Teak carpet
Teakcarpet.com
as I really liked the look for the wood boat. but at $6.50 a sq ft, it would have been over $ 350 even for my small boat. So, I found a great outdoor rug at Costco (100% poly construction) that is mold/mildew resistant has a nice texture and feel plus a great look. I'll cut it to size and install it (screw to the deck) this week. It was just $75.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
As it stands now the motor is scheduled for installation on the week of May 20th.

have a few more things to do in preperation of this and also must finish installing the bennett trim tabs.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Picked up the engine cradle today. Unfortunately it's raining so i can't test fit to see if the modifications worked.

Also sorted out more steel braided lines and Earls AN fittings for the pumps, coolers and fuel lines.... whew! Now I remember why I retired from racing...$$$$.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Booked the engine for the dyno next Wednesday!

Been filing aluminum edges on the cradle all day. If it's not raining in the morning I'll do a test fit.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Oh, and the motor is off the bench and on the floor by the door....I'm getting excited as it's lookin' like it will be a boat soon!
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Had to cut a couple of wooden supports for the decking in the bilge. Moved them back about 3" on each side so the new motor mount pads would clear and then reinstalled.

Also had to trim the outboard stern quarters of the motor mount pads. This is okay as the mounts themselves are cut on a diagonal. The cradle fits!

Todays job is to make mounting holes for the cradle, then clean and paint both the cradle and bilge...if the rain stays away.
 
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