Wiskey Girls maiden cruise

[jblack1036]

Hey all, I just wanted to pop on here and let everyone know that my girls maiden cruise went very well. I still need to get comfortable with putting her back in the slip.

Anyhoot, I have a few questions for all who may have the answer. First off, she's a Grey Marine Fireball 220 reverse mounted modified American Motors Fury. Original engine.

1. My temp sending unit seems to not work. I don't know if it's the sending unit or the actual guage. When I turn the key on, it does register so I know it has power. However, it never goes up past the lowest point. I'm wondering if one could tell me what sending unit to replace it with. It looks like a standard unit and very easy to get too and one wire fed. Heck, I don't even know if it has a TSTAT in it. I'm planning to put a 140 in it when I go to replace the temp sensor.

2. Second, the single belt drive pully system squeals like all get out when I first start her up. After a few revs, she calms back down and all is quite. However, last time I started here, she wouldn't stop squeeling so I popped the lid and see that the belt is not turning anything. Water pump seems to be free because I can turn it by hand and the same with the alternator. I hope it's just the belt. I'm gonna pull belt off this weekend and see if I can get another one at the local marine shop. No telling when it was replaced so I figure new would be better than just tightening it up.

3. She does seem to steam alot to me when at the higher RMPs. however, cruising at 2200 and 2500, she doesn't steam at all. Also, I've noticed an good amount of oil at the base of the carb from when I ran her up to 3300 RMPs. I'm wondering if that is from worn rings or valve seats allowing accessive blowby through the tubes pointed into the carb. Other than that, she purrs like a kitten and doesn't miss a lick or smoke at all. She has 1149 hours on her. As for the steam, I've read some of the post on here and will be looking into that problem based on what I have read. A new raw water pump is on the to-do list as I didn't worry too much about it since it does push water out at a pretty good flow rate.

Any comments or recommendation will be greatly accepted.

New pics as well:
http://s1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... %20Marina/

[larryeddington]

She is a beauty for sure.

[Stripermann2]

She is a beauty for sure.

+1

[alexander38]

++1....aged in Wood...

[rossjo]

Pretty boat.

Keep on eye on your temps. You can buy an IR temperature gun for < $100.
Your manifolds may be rusted up or your impeller may need to be replaced. Do you have plenty of water coming out the exhaust?

Not sure what tubes you have feeding into the carb - unless its breather tubes from the valve covers. If they're spewing some oil, then you're right - the valves or valve guides may be in need of attention.

A compression test will tell you a lot, as will the plugs. Oily plugs indicate blow-by on the rings for example.

Here is a good site on how to "read" a spark plug:
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_suppo ... aqread.asp

Here is a normal, used spark plug:

If you're burning oil, it will look more like this:

[jblack1036]

rossjo,

Thanks for the info. I have an IR gun I use for my beer making. I'll have to take that down to the boat and see what the temps are when running. Good call.

As for the tubes, yes, they are coming from the valve covers. I'm not too conserned with the blow by at present. As long as I keep an eye on it and wipe it down It will be good for awhile. We only cruise out on the weekends approx three to four mile out form the slip and anchor out overnight and it's usually a slow run as we're not in a hurry to get there. So no hard runs and I don't plan to run her hard.

The pump is another matter in itself. I don't know when the last time it was changed or replaced. The flow looks okay to me but I've never owned and inboard so I have nothing to compare it too. However, rebuild or new raw water pump is on my list of future projects. I'm sure the manifolds or risers are in need of some help. Engine is original. I"m sure they are in need of replacement. but since we don't run her hard nor for very long, I can live with it. I just want to enjoy her this summer and start working on things I find during the winter.

thanks...

[rossjo]

When you use the IR gun, check both sides of each engine, as well as both manifolds (right/left) on each engine to see if one manifold has blockage. You might even find a temp difference when one side of the carb is running richer/leaner than the other side and adjust this out as well.

You can even check around on the manifolds for hot spots.

Never thought of using the IR gun for beer making ... how are you using it there?

[jblack1036]

@rossjo, I use it during the fermenting phase to ensure I stay in the optimal temp range for my yeasties to do their magic. Just easier and no clean up and no chance of enfections that way. Just point and check. I don't have to move anything around to get a temp reading. Not to mention, the stick on therms at times are a little difficult to read...

[rbcool]

Seems to me the steam plus the squealing would indicate water pump

Ron

[rossjo]

Makes sense on the Beer/IR gun .. haven't brewed in 17 years - will do it again this winter!

Ron may be onto something on the squeal - don't let that one go and lose an engine. Water pumps are easy to take care of.

[jblack1036]

rbcool and rossjo,

Yes, I do plan to replace the raw water pump. I'll keep an ey on it this season and will do what is needed. The squel looks to be just a loose belt but I'm gonna put a new one on this weekend and see how it goes. As for the temp, the sensor is going to be changed this weekend as well. Here's to hoping I can find one.

It has good water flow out the back but the pump is probably tired. But as I said in earlier responses. I want to try and enjoy her this season since all we do is "slow boat" out to our little hook spot, which is only about 4 miles out.

I let you all know what I find and how it goes.

Latrz
Jim

[jblack1036]

I know it's been a while since I posted on here but this is just an update to the temp problems I've had. Over the past few seasons I've been very successful with keeping an eye on the temps. I've gone as far as replacing the raw water pump with no change. Since we just cruise at 1500rpm's the temp never gets bad. Only until I try and push it up over 2000rpm's is when the temp starts to rise.
Long story short........when I pulled her for winter storage, I decided to pull the heads. Sure enough, the port side was all clogged up. But the good news is that the heads are in good shape. Local machine shop said that my intake valves were so thin that he couldn't even lap them. All but two of the exhaust valves were safe to re-use. So I'm getting a complet valve job on the heads. I had to do alot of scraping and cleaning around the cylinders water passages to get all the 48+ years of mude out of it from running on the ohio.

In all, I'd say that's pretty good for a 48 year old boat that has never had the heads off of it. Wish me luch next season when it comes time to put her back in the water.

Enjoy..
Jim

[Stripermann2]

That's great to hear that you've narrowed it down. Hope you get her back up for next season.
Thanks for the update!

[jblack1036]

Good new, Good news..........
My temp problem has been eraticated....The ole girl now cruises without any temp problems or steam out the back. NO need for a repower...Think I'll keep pushing her along....