Maintenance Time! '86 Advance

[Daximus]

Hi all, going to fix/maintain some stuff on my old boat over the next couple weeks. Figured I's start a thread...one, because I'll probably need help, two, it might help someone else, and third...I have nothing better to do today.

On the to do list. Strut bearing, muffler replacement, trans fluid change, oil change, shaft alignment, potential rudder rebuild, little vent hose fix, some wiring odds and ends, and any thing else I run across.  I don't have all the parts just yet, figured I had better get in there and see what I need first, so this will be a work in progress.

Getting all of this stuff in proper order before I install the tower, tower sound, and the perfect pass system. Once those go on, it will be impossible for me to spend a weekend working on things like a good boy. I know me.

I'll take as many pictures as my A.D.D. allows. So let's get started...

First off, removing the propeller really sucked. My pulley puller was more adapt at removing car pulleys, not boat props.  Ended up with a homemade (read redneck) metal, threaded U bolt, washer, nut contraption. Still it would not budge. A little coaxing with a propane torch and she hopped right off though. Hope that isn't frowned upon, but hey, it worked.

[Daximus]

Oh, and before I forget. Picked this up a Wally World for like $7. Hope it works!

[Daximus]

OK, got some stuff removed. It's 104 out, so I'm taking a break. Hot.  I'm going to post some pictures in individual posts, so if anyone feels the need to quote me they won't have to quote 30 pictures.

First off...what is this thing?  It flops around like crazy, and I'm certain it needs to be replaced. (Keep in mind, this is the boat that has never had a strut bearing replaced.)

[Daximus]

Sorry for the large picture...thought I re-sized them all. Moving right along...

This is how I found my shaft seal. I have never seen one of these disassembled, is it normal to have rope on both sides of the washer?

Further, look at the damn grove it's put in my prop shaft! Hope that's not ruined.

[Daximus]

I know my strut bearing is bad, it's got a world of play in it once everything else was removed. (first pic) Secondly, I'm glad to get into this, I definitely need to align things. 

At 12 o'clock I can't fit a feeler gauge in there at all. At 3 o'clock I'm at .008. At 6 o'clock I'm at .010. At 9 o'clock I'm at .006. I honestly didn't think she vibrated that bad...I can't wait to drive it with a new bearing and an alignment!

 

[Daximus]

I had to remove the rudder to get teh prop shaft out. It was pretty simple...so simple I wonder what might be missing.

The top of the assembly had a pin, and a 1/2 inch nut/bolt. After those where removed I whacked it once with my hand and out she came. I was expecting some O rings or something? Maybe it's just grease sealed? Hell, I don't know.

It's a little chewed up, rings worn in it from use, but it was still functional last time I was out.

[Daximus]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this probably a custom muffler, lol.

[wetamb]

That is not a custom muffler, just a poorly done custom fix job.....LOL

Enjoying all the comments and photos.  Keep it up.

BJ

[Daximus]

That is not a custom muffler, just a poorly done custom fix job.....LOL

Enjoying all the comments and photos.  Keep it up.

BJ

Thanks BJ, I sort of figured as much, lol.

I take on more water than I think is proper, some of it I suspect comes from these crappy old mufflers. Some I suspect comes from the rudder assembly....and probably some other places I haven't found yet. Luckily, I'm a wake boarder, so a few extra pounds of water in the boat doesn't ruin my day. I'm rambling...long day...definite heat stroke. 104 is no joke.   

So, here is my old strut bearing. Everything has been a challenge today, except for it. Earlier today when I was pulling the prop I hosed it all down with penetrating oil. Now, I'm not sure if this helped, or if I'm just lucky, but once I pulled the set screws the strut bearings popped right out with a little tap at then end of a large flat head screw driver. It's honestly the easiest thing I did today.

Took some measurements. Looks like 1-1/4 OD...my prop shaft looks like 1 inch. Does this sound right to you all?

[backfoot100]

OK, got some stuff removed. It's 104 out, so I'm taking a break. Hot.  I'm going to post some pictures in individual posts, so if anyone feels the need to quote me they won't have to quote 30 pictures.

First off...what is this thing?  It flops around like crazy, and I'm certain it needs to be replaced. (Keep in mind, this is the boat that has never had a strut bearing replaced.)

Dax,
Rest easy. I don't know what the technical name of this is, but the flopping is normal. It clamps onto the sleeve of the steering cable and you use it to adjust the rudder throw right and left. No need for replacement.

[Daximus]

Dax,
Rest easy. I don't know what the technical name of this is, but the flopping is normal. It clamps onto the sleeve of the steering cable and you use it to adjust the rudder throw right and left. No need for replacement.

Check. That makes good sense. I did notice while pulling the prop that my rudder's operational degrees weren't the same port to starboard.  Now I know how to adjust. 

Having gone through all this has really helped me out. I'm a hands on learner. The simplicity and durability of these boats is remarkable.

[Daximus]

Oh, and before I forget. Picked this up a Wally World for like $7. Hope it works!

Update: This thing rocks! Sucked out all tranny fluid in like 3 pumps. Highly recommended. Kit also comes with a dipstick sucker for those of you without oil pan drain hoses.

[Daximus]

I wasn't anticipating addressing my rubber fuel line issues just yet, but I bumped the old fuel line where it comes out from my electric pump while changing oil and the hose damn near disintegrated. Fuel everywhere, lol. Don't worry kids, I'm alive, but that dog don't hunt. Luckily I have a few gear heads down the street who had some Holley parts laying around before one of them went Edelbrock. Probably not the best quality stuff, but any fuel line is better than no fuel line.

This is a "Spectre" setup. Looks like cheap Chinese stuff. It can be found at Vatozone (also pronounced Autozone in parts of the country without overwhelming immigration issues). Again, not sold on the quality, but time will tell. It seems sturdy enough and included a nifty little fuel pressure gauge. Don't judge me, the price was right. I traded some old Jeep axle shafts for it.

It passed the initial leak test, I'll run it out with cover off and report back in at a future time.

Question: Do you think I should run the fuel line above or below the motor mount? See picture #3. It probably doesn't matter.

[Daximus]

Next...

I aim to replace some of the hoses, most importantly the water intake hoses pre-impeller. They are showing their age, and in my estimation more important since they are on the suck side of things. So I went of to my local store looking for some non-collapsible hose.  This is what I came out with. It's the same size, and seems to be of the same build more or less. The old stuff does seem more collapse resistant, however. I'm not sure if it's due to it just being hardened by age, or if there is super special hose we need to use on the suck side of things. Any input would be appreciated.

I feel like it will be fine, but I don't really know how hard a good impeller sucks, so I'm guessing.

[Midskier]

Dax  is there a wire in your 1.25" hose ?  If not it will collapse
I'll give a shout Monday

Dan T