My 85 volante

[RonT]

I have an assortment of strangely shaped, cut, bent wrenches that I use. Normally you would loosen the top nut, send in a pry bat & lift the trunion a little while turning the lower nut with your fingers. In your case I would remove all 4 top nuts, lube, and lift the motor out, then remove the mounts and clean them up, dress the threads, paint etc.
The mufflers need to be replaced look at the standard 3" mufflers at the new  American SKier Parts Site:  SkiBoatPartsOnline.com
 

[MaxA]

Hi guys, i got a update!  I worked all day on Saturday and about half of sunday, and i think i made good progress.  I started by pulling the engine, all that went smooth.  I rented a lift from a local rental depot,  and it worked great.  I noticed when disconnected the driveshaft, that the coupler dropped.  But i could just lift it back up where is used to be.  When it comes to re alignment, do i adjust the motor down?  Or do i just lift it back up to the transmission?  I also made a homemade crate for the motor to sit in until i unbolt the transmission and get a engine stand.

After i pulled the motor, i started to trace out the old floors on my plywood.  Ron, i ended up getting marine plywood instead of foam board.  The shop that i bought my wood from had the foam board, but they said it would cost about 1600$ to do my floor!  Anyway, i cut out the floor.  Then sanded to get a nice fit.  Now i just need to get some resin, then next weekend ( if i have the resin) i will start to put the floors in.

[MaxA]

Hi everybody.  Its been a long time since i posted an update, but things have been getting done.  The floors have been done for about 3 weeks now.  Once all the pieces were cut, i coated the bottoms and the edges with epoxy.  I cut out the ski pylon hole, and the holes behind the foot rest, and coated the inside of those with epoxy.  I replaced the wood support piece that is in front of the ski pylon, and put the foam stop in?  Not sure what its called, but it goes in between the stringers.  Then i screwed the floor into the stringers with SS screws.  After that i packed fillet in the gap between the hull and floor.  I fiberglassed the side to the hull, then finished everything with a layer of fiberglass on the top.  The day after this got done, i got on a plane and left to go up north for a month.  While i was gone, my dad started to tear apart the engine.  He separated the bellhousing from the block to get it on a stand.  There is a small exhaust leak on the starboard side, so he got the exhaust manifold off to put a new gasket on and replace the bolts.  Two bolts broke off, but they came out very easily with PB blaster and a pair of vice grips.  That's where it is right now.  I ordered a flex plate from Ron, it came very quick and looks nice. Thanks.  Not amskier, but earlier in the thread i mentioned i was building a boat, that is also done.  Here are some pics  Sorry for the bad floor pics

[MaxA]

Hi guys.  I need to replace my T-Stat.  Should i get a 143 or 160?  My motor is a 351 Ford, and it has some upgrades.  Would the upgrades effect the temp?  Thanks, Max

[RonT]

I use & recommend the 160

[MaxA]

Ok, thanks!

[MaxA]

Alright, i want to apologize for the lack of updates through this project.  I really wanted to make it detailed and helpful like Mike or Messer's thread, but i guess I'm just to lazy.   Anyway, the boat is done, and has been done since christmas eve.  Ive been using it alot and have only had a few minor problems that have been resolved fairly easy.  Last time i posted there was no engine in it, and i had just finished the floors.  Got the engine in, but it had and still has a knock coming from the tranny when going slow in gear.  It kinda sounds like a bunch of marbles in it.  I replaced the damper plate, so i don't think it is that.  Oh well, it dosent bother me that much.  I spent a long time battling some leaky secondaries on the carb also, but finally got it sorted.  For the carpet i went with a tan color.  The boat originally had a burgundy carpet, but it was hot on the feet and made the boat feel real small.  I like the light color alot better, but it gets dirty quick.  Oh well.  I also replaced the gauges (except the airguides) with some new tele flex ones, only half of the old ones worked, so i just did them all.  The boat is also sitting on its new (to me) trailer.  Im very happy with it so far, it flys on the water (47 mph) and has a nice wake for wake boarding.  I want to try footing but i don't have a boom.  Is a boom a necessity for someone learning?  Is it possible to get up from a deepwater start the first time?  Sorry for lame picture, ill try to snap a few tomorrow.  Thanks for all the help guys, this forum is great!

[backfoot100]

Max,
Thanks for the update. Seeing as you changed the damper the marbles you're hearing at idle is normal if your idle RPM is a little low. Should be about 600-650. Just turn it up a little bit and you should be good.

No, you don't need a boom to barefoot but it'll save you a whole lot of body discomfort trying to learn without it. Just keep a lot of Advil handy. You'll definitely need it....LOL.
I think you get my drift.

Where are you located at? Who did your upholstery? I'm normally not a big fan of customized upholstery like yours but I have to admit that I really like it. At least what I can see of it. It's kinda difficult looking at it laying on my side but I like it. More pics of the rest of it would be nice to see.

Nice job. 

[MaxA]

OK, im not real sure why the picture is sideways.  It appears regular on my phone and computer, lets try again.  Sorry, i still don't have any more pictures, but i will get some.  I have no idea who did the upholstery, the boat came with it redone.  All i did was the carpet.  I am in cocoa beach.  I see you are somewhere is orlando, where?  It looks like there are quite a few members here in central florida, it would be cool just to have a mini reunion somewhere is orlando.

[MaxA]

Well, that didn't work.  Lets try a different pic.

[Mike Harry]

I don't dislike it............. kind of up in the air about it. I honestly don't think I could do that with mine, but I like the way it looks on yours 

[RonT]

i think its cool!

[Midskier]

Max the boat looks awesome - well @ least the interior does

learn to foot without a boom - sure

but Like Eddie said the boom will certainly be a help , and the boom can be used to teach others how
to ski on skis or without
a straight boom and boom height adjuster is a great setup on that boat, add an extension and you'll never be in side spray either

long line - use a non stretch rope (which you should for wakeboarding too) and start while sitting on a wakeboard ( I have a video on youtube) you'll also need a barefoot wetsuit and barefoot wetsuit shorts under the wetsuit. 

if you're really serious on learning to foot there are SEVERAL options in the greater Orlando area

us self taught guys really feel it 10, 20 and 30 years later - so find a lesson or 2

Dan T

[Mike Harry]

Max A, there are a few of us in the Central Florida area. Im in Saint Cloud. Backfoot (Eddie) is in Winter Haven area.

There is a link to a map on the main page of this site (to the left) that will show you where everyone is located. Everyone who signed up for the map anyway.

[MaxA]

Thanks for all the comments and input guys!  I got a bunch of pics yesterday, but they don't look that great.  I am just going to wait until the boat is in the water again to grab some pics.  They always look better that way.  It looks like I'm going to wait until a boom pops up on craigslist until i try bare footing.  As for the flames, i didn't really like them when i first got the boat.  But they have been growing on me.  Even if i didn't like them, i cant take them off.   They have been glued on with something, then stitched into the vinyl of the motor box.  The map shows three of us in a pretty close distance, but i remember a couple posts where people have been in this area also.  I wonder how many would go if there was not so much a big reunion, but just a small meet up.  Some where in orlando.