More fun winter projects

[Unchained]

Hello everyone. Just getting back in the saddle again the last few weeks and thought I would post some pictures on some of the projects I'm working on. Last year was a rebuild/update on the starboard side and this year I'm tackling the port side. Here a few pics. You'll notice I went with a two tone blue look on the finished assembly. I wanted something a little different and think it turned out pretty good. More pics to follow.
Take care,
Mike

[alexander38]

Blue Merc's ?...say it ain't so....but your work looks great..

[Unchained]

Yes, it's actaully a mixed breed Thanks.

[Big D]

It is a mixed breed. What made you go that route? And what's the gizmo by the cooler with what looks like a fuel line hooked up to it? Electric fuel pump?

[yorklyn]

Looks Great Mike! What type/brand of paint did you use? Trying to decide what route to go myself as there are so many choices. did you use a primer?
The bilge looks awsome!

[Unchained]

Hey Big D. I bought her a few years ago and it was already modified so I didn't have much choice. My wife and I have put in countless hours since then and she's come a long way. That is an electric fuel pump you see and it was temporary for a week when I put the engine back in because I didn't have the correct replacement at the time. These are Gen 5 blocks so there's no option for the mechanical pump. They also have the large rectangular port heads and 850 Holley Double Pumpers.
Last week or so I pulled the props, shafts, bearings, logs, stuffing boxes and couplers. I'm going to tackle the bearings, logs and stuffing boxes myself, but leaving the lap/fit, fit/face, balance, etc. etc. of the props, shafts, keys and couplers to the experts. I'm not a machinist, but I believe those are the correct terms, or close. I'll post some pics on this too.
Hey Todd, Thanks. I appreciate the compliment. The work you and your wife have done on your boat is incredible. I use Dupli-Color Ceramic Engine Enamel. Gray primer color DE1612, "Old" Ford Blue (Dark) DE1621 and Ford Blue (Light/Crusader color) DE1601. I have had great results with using just the paint by itself or with the primer. You have to apply whatever method you choose within 1 hour, leaving 10 minutes between coats. A light coat of primer, followed by two coats of paint seems to work very well. The Ford Blue is close to Crusader Blue and costs 1/3 of the price. I know I'll get some feedback on that comment, but then again, I wasn't going for an original stock look....as you can see.

[yorklyn]

Thanks for the info Mike, you really did a nice job!

[Big D]

Do you have Trojan's dripless system? If not, you may want to consider installing a dripless system at this time now that everything will be off.

[alexander38]

Love the work you're doin' and the 454 gen5 block is a nice engine, But my god man first you paint Merc parts black and now you say you used Ford paint as well on them have you no shame !

I'd think about the drip-less stuffing tubes, they're nice we they work right but when they don't there's no fix them without a haul and pulling the shaft, With old school repack in the water and go...

[Big D]

...they work right but when they don't there's no fix them without a haul.....

Depends on the type of failure and the design/make of the unit.

[prowlersfish]

...they work right but when they don't there's no fix them without a haul.....

Depends on the type of failure and the design/make of the unit.

Many of them you can keep a spare seal on the shaft . But I do prefer the old packing system myself .

[Unchained]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I'm going to stay with the "old school" boxes and use Gore Tex GFO or Western Pacific GTU Graphtex packing.
Mike