Trojan Boat Forum

Dean, My recommandation to Neal regarding a "short block" vs. him trying to rebuild the lower end himself is; 1, It takes a lot of expertise to rebuild a block 2, lots of high priced equipment (check out a local mechine shop). 3, the first thing a mechine shop does, once it is dis-assenbled, is check the block to make sure it is rebuildable. ie, cracks, cylinder wall condition, taper (may need to be bored not just honed), main bearing journals, etc. Then, cam shaft wear, crankshaft, connecting rods, lifters, pushrods, pistons, wrist pins, timing gears/chain,... and on... and on. 4, Re-assembly requires skill particularly when setting crank and main bearings. Many backyard mechanics have rebuilt their engine only to spin a bearing on start-up or soon there after. 5. a 350 GM block is probably the most common marine engine out there so they are easy to find and reasonably priced either remanufactured of new. And finally, the best reason is, it will carry a warranty, unually a year, provided it was defective. Of course,the choice is yours.

I had another boat that also had a hour meter in the tach but that one was not electric and ran of a cable .

My 1969 31 foot Trojan had that type of tach/hour meter. This is a mechanical tach. It was run off a key on the cam. The hour meter is not reading time, put engine RPM's. The faster the engine ran, the faster the hour meter turned. It was more like an odometer then an hour meter.

PROWLER,

IF IT IS CABLE DRIVEN THAT WOULD BE TACH TIME AND THE BEST WAY TO MEASURE ACTUAL TACK TIME. THIS WILL GIVE YOU THE ACTUAL HOURS DUE TO RPS'S

After reading the posts i am feeling a little better. The hour meter is hooked up to the ignition so it starts reading hours as soon as the key is turned. Also, I know the engine has been replaced, but not sure if the hour meter was. I have not run compression or blow-by test, but the engine starts right up, idles well, and throttles well. It does not apear to hesitate or missfire at all. Not bad for an engine that sat for 4 years and was weather seixed when I got it. It also does not smoke through the exhaust. I will run some tests in the spring but, I am now thinking to just leave well enough alone unless something shows up in the tests. Most of the cruising I will be doing is low rmp cruising anyway. If it does go I am now considering going with a rebuild. I started looking at prices and they are not as bad as I expected. Thanks to all for your input!
Neal