Falling in love again

Pilar · 03-31-2006, 08:42 AM

It looks like the old boat is ready for action again. This overhaul has been a grueler and far exceeded anything since the chainsaw remodel on 'Pilar'. But the fat lady finally sang last night and the wrench - a - thon is over.

Just last night I drove home from Grants Pass, picked up the boat and launched at Portco. We went for a ride, Wagner blaring away and nothing went wrong, not even once. I remember thinking

'Where can I drop the hook and catch a fish'?

But then I realized that I had no gear on board, just tools. So now it's time to shift gears and think of the boat as on old friend, not a burden and never ending project.

Where are the fish biting?

I love the old boat again .. thought it would never happen.

TrinhTD · 03-31-2006, 09:25 AM

Congrats. John.

Took the day off today to work on my boat. Got her started in the drive way. About to head down the ram to drop her in the water. Gonna work out a few minor things and try the spreader bar.

Any Ifish member on Lake Washington today?

wthr4d · 03-31-2006, 10:21 AM

Thats good news, john. were you able to cure her of that drinking problem that showed up early on?

I hear newport has rumor of a salmon being caught and released. let me know if you get down this way Ill buy you a rootbeer.

paul

Mr. Fisherman · 03-31-2006, 10:39 AM

Good on you Johnboy, good on you.
I have miles to go before I sleep....
I may not have much of a season this year...

Pilar · 03-31-2006, 12:24 PM

Ah yes, the drinking problem.

Funny story there. I will say don't ask me how I know this at the end. The fuel flow meter does not know the difference between fuel and a fuel/air bubble mixture.

So to tell the story. I replaced the fuel pickup tube in the fuel cell because it was about 3 inches shorter than the tank. Which in my mind, left about 15 gallons of gas in the fuel cell. So I could not find any suitable fuel proof plastic tubing like the original. We had the air suck problem before the overhaul and it turned out to be an imperfect seal between the tubing and the brass fitting on the fuel take out. They (the infamous they) solved this problem with a hot melt glue. In 25 + years this shrunk and no longer sealed so we had a small air leak on the pickup tube.

I had it in my mind to solve both problems with a new, improved fuel pickup tube. So I made one out of hard copper tubing and a new brass fitting. Being concerned about TUNA!/gallon and running out of gas I made it longer and brazed it together to seal it.

I did not have the right torch and used the wrong braze rod. This caused the parts to get very hot before the braze flowed and I pinholed the fitting without realizing it. Fat, dumb and happy I screwed the wonder part into the fuel tank and proceeded to convert hydrocarbons into propwash.

It worked real good for the first several times I launched it up on plane. The flow went to 24 GPH and I swallowed hard and firewalled it anyway and was rewarded by a throaty growl coming from under the deck. Then the suction of the pickup tube, about 1/4" from the tank bottom began to vacuum up all the crap in the tank and proceeded to plug the take out check-valve. The motor began to backfire and bog. I figure no biggie change the fuel filter. The flow dropped to 16 so I had no clue, it was still getting fuel, right?

Next trip no power, oops must be the fuel pump. Cha ching, new fuel pump. Next trip no power, must be the carb, so rebuild the carb, cha-ching. Next trip, still no power, hmmmmmm.

Carburetor? Cha-ching. Next trip, still no power.

I then tore all the fuel hoses out and blew 100 pound air through them and found no obstructions. Last thing was the take out anti siphon check-valve. It had a large blob of black snot jammed in it. I removed the $600 wad of snot and tried the boat again.

Ahhh much better. But soon it began to run like crap again. Sure enough the check valve had more crap in it.

I then used an electric pump, connected at the carb end of the line and a clear hose and pumped some fuel. It was mostly air with a little fuel. And the valve was plugged again. So I remade the takeout tube using silver solder and made the gap 3/4" not 1/4"

Thursday I played tag with a jet ski and hit 30 kts several times. Problem solved.

The flow is now 12 to 16 at cruise and hits 22 when I do the water skier take off for about 15 seconds before leveling off.

Flow scan does not discern between fuel and fuel full of bubbles.

Don't ask me how I know this.

Pilar · 03-31-2006, 12:31 PM

Ray, you are welcome on my deck anytime.

Metal Manipulator · 03-31-2006, 02:20 PM

John when all else failes become a parts changer and the last part you change in the line up is the one that solves the problem. AH! YES! the labor of love been there done that

Before I take my boat over to moorage I take my oil vacume system and drain all the gas and suck every thing out I can get and so far it seems to help. I haven't seen anythig show up in the filter after doing this. Some times over thinking a solution creates poroblems like putting a coil with a resistor in it.

runs for a while the uh! oh! power loss.

Fishplay · 03-31-2006, 02:44 PM

0

blubeast · 03-31-2006, 03:06 PM

Glad to hear you get her licked.

HOGGEMIN · 03-31-2006, 07:23 PM

Right on John glad to hear she roars to life now hunt that dog buddy.

Herring Problem · 04-01-2006, 06:24 PM

You will be flying out to the ranch very soon.Glad to hear you got the bugs out.

Triple C · 04-03-2006, 12:34 PM

Glad to hear you got everthing straightened out John
look forward to seeing you out there

id. painter · 04-03-2006, 01:26 PM

Prawn on brutha John. :grin:
id. p.