1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

[Numlaar]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Thanks for the tank info....

Just a quick update... did not do much over the holidays...

Me being me, wanted to "test" the boat out before I started to completely tear it down, and so, was rushing a bit too much...

I took the time and care to rebuild the carbs, and got the old motor running nicely, but, and this is a doozey, didnt put a new impeller in it... I just checked that I had a pee stream, and thought I was good...

So, I hooked up a portable fuel tank to the engine, and decided to take it for a test ride.... man this boat rides SMOOTH, probably nicest riding boat I think I have ever been in.... however, the trip lasted all of 10 minutes... Seems there was some sort of cooling issue, and even though the pump was pumping, the water wasnt ciculating around the cylinder heads... so 10 minutes into the ride, the motor went, bleeeehhhhhhhhhhh and slowed to a stop, I looked back, and it was smoking... it got so hot it melted all 6 coil packs... DOH... got so hot it wouldnt even turn over... when I got back and let it cool down, I spun it over, and now my once perfect compression was all over the board (60 here, 90 there, etc.)... so buh bye to this one... I can rebuild it, luckily it didnt burn a piston, or score the cylinder walls, but its a lot more work then I want to get into right now...

One of these days I am going to learn to slow down, and check things out THOROUGHLY *sigh*....

So I shopped around, and picked up another 175hp... its a 1978, and for the past few weeks thats what I have been working on...


I want to get the motor squared away before I commence the tear down, If you follow the evinrude/johnson forums at all, you will see my various posts there regarding the engine...

So where I am at now is, since I have lost a month already, I am now debating whether or not to just use it as is for the summer, then start the rebuild next fall...

Pics to come!

 

[Numlaar]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

So here's the new (used) motor:

It's a 1978 175hp Evinrude power head, tilt&trim, on a mid 80's Johnson Mid/lower, with my old Cowl (the cowl it came with was too beatup) so it's truly a "JohnnyRude" hehehehe (PRETTY isnt it?) LOL

So once again, I got in a rush, did a compression test on the engine (120psi almost dead on in all cylinders), and decided to buy it ($500.00 bucks)....

What I didnt realize is, that evidently the V-6's from 76-78 had hydro-assist mechanical lower units, someone had changed the mid/lower out on this baby with the mid 80's one, and did a nice job hooking up the linkage, however, it seems that those units from 76-78, the shifting action worked "opposite", so after I got the motor mounted, and controls hooked up, what would happen is, I would shift it forward, the motor would shift into reverse Thread here if you want to read the whole thing. Basically by swapping the intakes and linkage, I can get it working the correct way... I will post how that goes should be done this weekend.

Also this time, I did the following:
new T-stats, new water plate gaskets, new poppets, new water pump, and rebuilt the carbs... everything maintenance wise has been done!!!! Thats how I have spent the last few weeks... I'm going to sea trial it tomorrow, if it works out, I will post about it, then let ya'll know what my decision is regarding using it for the summer, or tearing it down now...

Thoughts on that by the way?

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Hey Num,

Love the boat! Super cool lines... big outboard! I want one!

Looking forward to this build.... I've signed on to so many build threads I can't friggin keep up....

 

[seabob4]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Just to chime in here, and let Num know that he is MORE than welcome over on Classic Aquasport! Because of the amount of potential members who simply want to come on the site to spam, the site administrator approves each and every applicant that signs up. Because he travels overseas a lot, the applicant's approval may not go as quickly as one would expect. But it is worth the wait, as there is not a better site out there, whether it is purely AS related, or simply general boating related.

So try it again, num, as we ARE friendly...

 

[treefish]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Yeah I know the other forum... but TBH they aren't as nice and helpful as here... and I applied over a week ago and still havent been approved to post, so whatever! I will stick with my iBoats family!

I guess Seabob has explained the reason for the delay. I'm just writtin to say that www.classicaquasport.com is an extremely friendly group dedicated to sharing their vast knowledge about Aquasports; from rebuilding questions to engines, electrical,...you name it. I could go on for days.
It's a great group without all the BS.

 

[Circle Hooked]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Num come on back to the club www.clasicaquasport.com

 

[seabob4]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Well, Num, there you have it. We'll try to help you in whatever way we can, but, as you can see from circlehooked and treefish's responses, we ARE a friendly group...the best you'll find out there!!!

And Scott, Tree, great to see you guys here. It can be an interesting place, your knowledge can definitely be put to use here...

But, damn, they could use some smileys!!

 

[SC170nFL]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

I agree with the other classicaquasport members.Useful information and friendly folks. Visit the site, we have a get-together this weekend and you could meet some of the members yourself.

 

[cheesegrits]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

When you pull the cap just make sure you have the hull supported in some kind of cradle. When all the weight of the cap is removed on that hull it could deform and be a real beast to get it back on when that time comes. The best thing about these hulls are they have foam-filled fiberglass stringers. Usually by now the foam has become saturated since they only had open cell foam at that time. Once you get the cap off cut the tops of the stringers off and remove the foam then use the urethane 2 part to refill. Nice little boat! I look forward to the rest of the rebuild and seeing some more pics!

 

[sport15]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Num the quantity and quality of advice from the gang at Classic Aqusport is really hard to beat... With the number of rebuilds and restorations you will get all the specilzed help you need.. Glad you ditched that tank, screws and JB weld are no way to seal leaks in a fuel tank. That is a great way to turn the boat into an IED.... Good luck, it's gonna be a screamer!!!

 

[Circle Hooked]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Opps misspelled my link http://www.classicaquasport.com/phpbb3/

 

[Numlaar]

Re: 1978 Aquasport "Xscape" Restore - New Project lots of pics!

Thanks for the reply guys, I will definitely head back over and see whats happening!

But yes I agreed on the tank... so after saving up for 3 months (with the holidays, and some other issues that came up, I was really low on cash), I got my new tank finished:

Closeup of the fill:

and the sender/pickup:

Total cost for the tank was $795.00, had a local place do the work. With the new tapered design, it will fit right in the hole like a socket, and be nice and snug. They did a great job, has baffles, and is spec'd out.

I am in the process of painting it prior to installation, so will post some pics once that part is done.

Should also have some pics of the new dash for you soon!

Decided to use the boat over the summmer, prior to starting on the split/rebuild, so after these next few pics, i'll suspend posting here till the winter.

Thanks again all!