I didn't want to restore this 1997 Islander this summer

[Fj40fiji]

Fwd bilge discharge, factory discharge. Original is 3/4, added one is 1-1/8. The second aft pump will use 1-1/8 as well

 

[Fj40fiji]

Chipping away at it.

 

[Fj40fiji]

Steering ram and exhaust installed, hoping to get the engine set in place this morning.

 

[redneck joe]

Dam kid you are humpin' it...

 

[Fj40fiji]

Back on the mounts. Left my alignment bar at home when I went to use the gantry so alignment is only eyeballed, hopefully it didn’t move much and won’t be difficult if I have to correct it.

 

[Fj40fiji]

Dam kid you are humpin' it...

I’m fearful about it turning into a project that never gets finished.

 

[redneck joe]

I’m fearful about it turning into a project that never gets finished.

Respect.

 

[cyclops222]

I do not have enough time to do it right the first time !!!!!!!!
But plenty of time to redo it several quick times ?

 

[Fj40fiji]

I’m not cutting any corners here, I’m taking enough time to do every part to the best of my ability. I work on it almost every weekend, and usually get up at 4:30 to make sure I get some done every week and still spend time with my family. I’m using the best parts and materials I can afford, or at least source, as well. I’m setting out to get it right, and as quickly as I can. I’m sure I’ve got over 100 man hours into this since June already, and probably have almost that much left to go. Everything I touch I consider the next time I have my kids on the ocean; will I wish I had done something a little better or bought a better part. If this needs to be redone anytime soon , I’ll scrap it and take a few years off from boating.
Maybe you were referring to eyeballing the alignment- I have to drive half an hour to get to the shop where I can use the gantry, and left the tool at home. That’s not to say I’m not going to check the alignment and adjust it if needed. I just couldn’t get it today. I won’t get the drive on if it’s not aligned pretty well. It’s also 104 degrees out today. After I set the engine I also used the shear and brake at the shop to make some new floor supports, I didn’t have time to drive back and forth.

I do not have enough time to do it right the first time !!!!!!!!
But plenty of time to redo it several quick times ?

 

[redneck joe]

I’m not cutting any corners here, I’m taking enough time to do every part to the best of my ability. I work on it almost every weekend, and usually get up at 4:30 to make sure I get some done every week and still spend time with my family. I’m using the best parts and materials I can afford, or at least source, as well. I’m setting out to get it right, and as quickly as I can. I’m sure I’ve got over 100 man hours into this since June already, and probably have almost that much left to go. Everything I touch I consider the next time I have my kids on the ocean; will I wish I had done something a little better or bought a better part. If this needs to be redone anytime soon , I’ll scrap it and take a few years off from boating.

Disregard his posts.

 

[Fj40fiji]

I got curious and decided I’d see what kind of things he posts, so I read a few. Wow, has to be the smartest guy on the forum. He knows exactly what everyone is doing with their boats from his keyboard and doesn’t need to ask a clarifying question or read your thread to know how you are screwed up. A real helpful guy. Surprised he wasn’t out boating with friends for the holiday.

 

[Fj40fiji]

The old eyechrometer was off, but I was able to align the engine with some wrenches and a pry bar.

 

[Fj40fiji]

I think I have the engine aligned better than it was before I started this- the drive has always been difficult to get off and on. I’m maxed out on the mounts though, I can’t get the nuts on with the lock washers. I’m thinking of shining the whole mount up, probably adding a layer of plywood to the existing one under the mounts to bring it up 1/2”.

 

[redneck joe]

I this are i am by far NOT the expert but I do know the importance of doing this part correctly. I recommend you start a side thread in the mercruiser forum to get the best advice.

 

[Fj40fiji]

On closer review I think the mounts have settled out or collapsed. I’m going to order new ones and see if they aren’t a little taller. I think that metal cup at the bottom should be 1/8”-1/4” off the base. The stud in the port side mount turned enough that I’m doubtful the rubber is actually bonded.

Now I just have to decide if I’m going to spend $125 ea on Quick Silver, or $40 ea on after market. . .

In the event I still want to raise them I’ll put a piece of starboard under the little plywood pad they sit on now. It’s lagged through the aluminum into a stack of plywood strips, so I should be able to do the same, although it may be possible to through bolt them, certainly would have been if I though to install T nuts while the engine was out.

 

[redneck joe]

I'll repeat my previous post.

 

[Fj40fiji]

I’m clear on the how’s. And “better than before” meant better than it was when I last removed the drive, it was really difficult to remove and reinstall. If the mounts are failed, it’d make sense that the alignment was once good and got way out.
The alignment bar goes in easy now and leaves even witness marks all around. I’d still need to roll the engine through and check it in different positions to verify the coupler isn’t eccentric but I’d do that after I torque the mounts- which I can’t quite do at this height. It really looks likely that the height I need is just missing from these.

I’m looking forward to getting them off and seeing what condition they are really in, but I took Sunday off from it and day tripped over to Monterey bay to fish with my oldest son in our inflatable boat- the game warden said we were like “Life of Pi” out there in a tiny boat. We didn’t catch much but it was awesome to be out there. The grey whales and other animals come into the bay this time of year to feed on the anchovies and such. All we managed to catch were some sand dabs, but there was a lot of life to see.