1985 Dynasty Triton ski

Kdreese89

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
36
Hello everyone,

Thanks for allowing me to come here for some shared ideas and guidance. A 1985 Dynasty Triton fell into my lap at a price I could t refuse. Of course with a low price comes even more work but I am feeling up to the task. I'll be coming here for some advice and to share my progress as I go. And comments are much appreciated especially when you think I'm in over my head haha. I am used to over engineering things so we will see where this leads.

-Kyle
 

Kdreese89

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
36
I cleaned out the boat today and "ripped out" all the seating and upholstery (all shot). The dog house is in decent condition but the will eventually get replaced. Next step will be to get it in the garage off the trailer and onto some blocks! I'll follow up with some pictures as soon as I can.
 

Kdreese89

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
36
I'm going to get a photobucket up and attach them as I go. Maybe as early as tomorrow.
 

DeepBlue2010

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
1,305
Welcome to the drydock. What is your plans for the boat? What are you hoping to get out of it in terms of years of use? How much $$ are you willing to put into it
 

Kdreese89

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
36
Welcome to the drydock. What is your plans for the boat? What are you hoping to get out of it in terms of years of use? How much $$ are you willing to put into it

Well like I always say, anything worth engineering is worth over engineering. I don't really have a dollar amount in mind (still waiting to see how the engine turns out). I'm going to be completely gutting it and redoing almost everything. I'm hoping to pull the engine next winter but it may happen before the summer to do a rebuild. The goal is to get it in the water at least once this season the continue to build from there. If you stay tuned in you may see me add some things most people would feel is unnecessary haha. And it will probably be all diy with a few helping hands for the real technical stuff.
 

Kdreese89

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
36
Ok I am getting ready to tackle the engine and these are my options so far:

1) buy the rebuild kit for $470, do my own work, take it to a machine shop for boring, honing, and too end work.

2) I have a ball park estimate for a rebuild at $1500.

3) Reman engine from a leading reman for $2900 plus ($1800 core w/ full refund or 50% if block is cracked), I could have it here this Thursday

4) put a different engine in (with new mounts) that is reman for $1500 plus all the rework for mounts

I am fairly mechanically incline but never done an engine rebuild. It is boating season here now but will last into October so no huge rush.

I'd like some weigh in from the peanut gallery please.
 

Kdreese89

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
36
Ok long time no post but it's been busy trying to squeeze in wrench hours when I can. I have the stern drive off and engine out. I dropped the front mount off and pick myself up some 3/8-24 bolts. Good news, IVE GOT ROTATION! Luckily the engine is not stuck.
 

Jarcher3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 9, 2016
Messages
113
Ya know the feeling on squeezing hours, luckily yours is at the house.

As far as the rebuild, personally, i would not do it myself, just out of worry about the details. but it shouldn't be too hard to follow some youtube videos on rebuilding it. but at the same time 1500 is cheap for a shop to do it. the other thing on rebuilding it your self is you will most likely need to take it to a machine shop for some sort of work and that will cost more anyways.

What different engine were you thinking? you could put a more modern v6 in there and get a heap more power in that. but really depends on your goals.

have you had it out on this motor? any idea how it drives or pulls? if it felt under powered before, i would consider an upgrade..
 

Kdreese89

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
36
Ya know the feeling on squeezing hours, luckily yours is at the house.

As far as the rebuild, personally, i would not do it myself, just out of worry about the details. but it shouldn't be too hard to follow some youtube videos on rebuilding it. but at the same time 1500 is cheap for a shop to do it. the other thing on rebuilding it your self is you will most likely need to take it to a machine shop for some sort of work and that will cost more anyways.

What different engine were you thinking? you could put a more modern v6 in there and get a heap more power in that. but really depends on your goals.

have you had it out on this motor? any idea how it drives or pulls? if it felt under powered before, i would consider an upgrade..

Well I was able to get it to hand crank, pulled the delco-remy starter and got thy going. I pulled the plugs and hooked up the starter and it turned over. I got 155, 150, 150, 155 on the compression test on each cylinder in order. I'm going to run water through it and see if I can pressure test the cooling system somehow. If I can do that then I'm going to hook up some fuel prime the oil and see if she actually runs. If she does I'll check everything again and put her back into the boat. So I can run it this summer.

Then I'll shop around for a mercruiser 170 (maybe 180, can't remember). That was the larger engine my boat came with. I'll actually rebuild that one and maybe have it in next summer, just for fun.
 

chevymaher

Commander
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Messages
2,934
I really like your boat. I know everyone is different and has different likes. But the size and style just puts me in the warm fuzzy place. It is a good looking boat to me. Worth the effort to get it back.
 

Jarcher3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 9, 2016
Messages
113
those sound like good consistent compression numbers.... id run with freshening up swapping plugs, points etc. and run her!
 
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