1990 SeaRay Sundancer 310 Complete Rebuild advice needed

[Crash4723]

So I bought this twin 454 Sundancer with V-Drives and I pulled the motors and had them rubuilt at one of my local performance shops. I got the motors back and set them back in the boat. Now I'm at the point of re-dressing each motor with the intakes, exhausts, distributors, water pumps, raw water pumps, pulleys, belts, etc... The motors came back bare, pretty much the blocks, heads, pans, valve covers, and intakes. These are closed cooled motors too. Anyone have any advice on what I should install first? I'm trying to be as efficient as I can with my time so I don't want to install something if it's going to be in the way or have to take it back off later.

Any advice is greatly appreciated as I am new to boating.

 

[Scott Danforth]

my suggestion, since twins can be a booger to work on, however the 310 has a bit more room than many boats.

get the long blocks fitted with the intake, carbs, distributors, pumps, etc. and test run them outside the boat first. this allows you to set timing, check for leaks, etc.

then pick the motor that runs your power steering to the rudders. install that one first. button everything in the boat, then install second.

as for assembly of motor. long block, then intake, then prime oil system, then distributor, then carb, then exhaust, then brackets, then accessories, lastly belts.

 

[Scott Danforth]

forgot - Welcome Aboard :welcome:

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

Since you already installed the motors you kind of limited the ease of install. Without the stuff on the motors it could be easier to align the prop shaft to the transmission. This is what I would do first, surfaces need to be no more then .002

Once aligned, I would install the outside exhaust manifolds, then stuff on the front. Keep any open holes on top covered (intake, exhaust manifold) so something doesn't drop into them. Then hoses, and carb and exhaust elbows close to last.

 

[Crash4723]

Cool, thanks for the responses. This was my 1st boat project so I didn't know about dressing the motors prior to dropping them in the boat and testing them on a stand. Will definitely do that on the next project. I read a lot about the alignment being a pita, no clue how to even start to align them, but I'm sure I will pick it up with more reading.

 

[alldodge]

It is a pain and can get toward the lower end, but take your time and note what adjustment has what effect. I said .002 but it should be no more then .003 on an inch. The adjustment is close to the same but can vary a bit if your prop shaft goes completely thru the trans coupling instead of just up to the flange face on the bottom. The ones which are the hardest are the ones shown in this pic.





Don't forget to check and change the transmission fluid

Oh also check your packing seals on the prop shafts

 

[Crash4723]

Cool & Thank You! I will be back at it this coming weekend.

-Ryan