New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Don't know that you'll need a hydraulic jack. I've got a 5'-10' house jack which I used to replace the columns on my front porch. I'll be happy to send it to you. I can just take it home with me when I leave your place in September. Once you've got that SS post removed with the house jack supporting the structure, you can simply remove that fiberglass box/cover to address the issues beneath. Just go into this with the knowledge that it won't be pretty, and maybe you'll have a pleasant suprise.

Where that SS screw is removed, did you or Kimi drill down to reveal that rotten muck, or did it just come up when removing the screw? The reason I ask is, if you had to drill down to get that out, then it's not quite as bad as if it came up freely with the removal of the screw. Hope I didn't just ruin your day, Pal!!! Either way, you already know it's not good. If this is the worst you have to deal with, it's all good!!! If you find heavier issues than this... Guess what, it's all good. I know you love this boat. You're putting your heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into her. She'll always love you right back for it. The Bossman will, too.

Sending you the house jack is no problem. I'll be happy to do that for you.

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

I know that is not what you want to do, I certainly would not want to, I can not see any other way.

How correct you are, nlain. Not what I want to hear, but your idea of gaining access is well put. I don't have the time for all that right now. I may have to put it aside for another time. The work your suggesting I can do, being an ex-boatbuilder. I think I'll invite a boatbuilder friend over for a beer this weekend and see what he says about removing the headliner or cutting an access hole in a locker so I can get to the bottom side of this mess.

Thanks for your imput.....now tell me something I want to hear.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

now tell me something I want to hear.

June is right around the corner.....

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

June is right around the corner.....

Fireman, You may have just snatched the "You Da Man" title!!!... For now, anyway!!!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

How correct you are, nlain. Not what I want to hear, but your idea of gaining access is well put. I don't have the time for all that right now. I may have to put it aside for another time. The work your suggesting I can do, being an ex-boatbuilder. I think I'll invite a boatbuilder friend over for a beer this weekend and see what he says about removing the headliner or cutting an access hole in a locker so I can get to the bottom side of this mess.

Thanks for your imput.....now tell me something I want to hear.

Accessing it from below sounds like a winner, if it's as simple as removing a headliner or cutting an access hole in a locker, as you said. From the picture, it looks like the wood deck is below the fiberglass support. If that's not the case, you're golden.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Fireman, You may have just snatched the "You Da Man" title!!!... For now, anyway!!!

I don't want the title, but thank you anyway! Leave it with Sasto...he's earned it. If it can wait, we can beat ideas around next month. The longer we discuss it, the more intersting it should get!! I'm all for drilling out the affected area, filling it with Marine Tex, and sinking new screws into it. Or use a gripsert in the Marine Tex.

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

That toe rail is wood core with a backing plate for the rail screws. I've determined if I can find a glass guy about 2 feet tall with a 4 foot wingspan, I have it made.

I think for now I will take nlain's advice on raising the rail, then take Fireman's advice on doing some drilling under the stanchion, fill it, redrill, and screw it down. Maybe later do the repair correctly.

I had a couple gauges not functioning properly. Shutdown solenoid intermittently not working. After doing some troubleshooting and speaking with the bossman, somebody had peridocally washed down the engines with water.:facepalm: Now I'm in the process in replacing all electrical connections in the engine room.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Lots of work... Take time to enjoy doing it. You already know you'll get back everything you put in, and then some. This boat really needed you, sasto. Glad you found each other.

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

This boat really needed you, sasto. Glad you found each other.

Thanks for your words of encouragement, veritas honus.

One of the guys at the marina was speaking with the bossman the other day. The bossman told this guy that after all these years, he finally found his captain. After an extended battle with cancer, the charter sportfishing was just too tuff on me. Returning to working for a private boat was prayers answered. We needed each other.
Have you seen my Penn Yan thread? Another blessing!

Have a good day! Back to work.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Sasto, you are blessed in more ways than you may realize. As an outside who really doesn't know you, it's obvious to me. I know you count every day as a gift (good for you!), but thank you for letting us into your world, even thru a web forum.

Anyway...back to the boat...when you are finished with your new electrical connections, if you spray the bus bars with the thin red film of battery terminal protector (available at Wal-Mart, auto stores, etc) you will find that this totally eliminates any corrosion issues with the terminals. I have been using it for years and have never had a corrosion issue. Same can for years, too. Crap seems to regenerate when left alone for awhile....much like bunnies or teenagers...

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Sasto, you are blessed in more ways than you may realize. As an outside who really doesn't know you, it's obvious to me. I know you count every day as a gift (good for you!), but thank you for letting us into your world, even thru a web forum.

Anyway...back to the boat...when you are finished with your new electrical connections, if you spray the bus bars with the thin red film of battery terminal protector (available at Wal-Mart, auto stores, etc) you will find that this totally eliminates any corrosion issues with the terminals. I have been using it for years and have never had a corrosion issue. Same can for years, too. Crap seems to regenerate when left alone for awhile....much like bunnies or teenagers...

Great info!!! Thank you. The employees at the stores that sell the stuff have always told me it's a waste of money. Never thought about it for the boat. Your experience with it is very much appreciated. Thank you again!!!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Thanks for your words of encouragement, veritas honus.

One of the guys at the marina was speaking with the bossman the other day. The bossman told this guy that after all these years, he finally found his captain. After an extended battle with cancer, the charter sportfishing was just too tuff on me. Returning to working for a private boat was prayers answered. We needed each other.
Have you seen my Penn Yan thread? Another blessing!

Have a good day! Back to work.

Gonna look for it right now. Thanks!!!

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

.

Anyway...back to the boat...when you are finished with your new electrical connections, if you spray the bus bars with the thin red film of battery terminal protector (available at Wal-Mart, auto stores, etc) you will find that this totally eliminates any corrosion issues with the terminals. I have been using it for years and have never had a corrosion issue. Same can for years, too. Crap seems to regenerate when left alone for awhile....much like bunnies or teenagers...

I will take that into consideration, Fireman.

These engines should never get wet, and if they ever do on my watch, I will have more problems to deal with.

Some of the things I got done yesterday. All the existing wire was in good shape but I replaced the connections with the heat shrink type. I wish somebody wouldn't have painted the wires and connections. They were all numbered. I did manage to figure what they all go to and made a diagram

I added a new solenoid so now I can shut down the engine. The previous captain always went to the engine room and manually shut her down.

The terminal strip wiring. I tried making it neat but what can you do with painted wiring and twisted wires.

More work to be done!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

You seem to get a respectable amount of work done regularly. Very impressive, sasto.

Looking good. I know it will look even better not long from now...

 

[nlain]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

That terminal strip looks pretty neat to me, the way you tie strapped the wires in groups makes it even better. By the way, are those engines 6V92TT or are they single turbo. I have not been able to tell for sure from the photos.

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

That terminal strip looks pretty neat to me, the way you tie strapped the wires in groups makes it even better. By the way, are those engines 6V92TT or are they single turbo. I have not been able to tell for sure from the photos.

Thanks, nlain.

The engines are 6V-92TA with a single turbo putting out 550 HP. Last time I took her out I could only get 2100 RPM and top speed was 19 KTS. I clean the botton periodically. I had just cleaned her and changed the zincs prior to the run. I'm not quite sure why I cant get 2400 out of her. The trim tabs weren't working at the time, now they are, and next time I take her out I am anxious to see if they make a difference. She was plowing alot of water, but that may just be her personality.

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Been busy charter boat fishing and other projects, now is time to get back to this one. Lots to do before vacation and scheduled trips.

First off, I had to fire the bossmans longtime A/C man. A $600 bill he recieved (for nothing) really ticked me off. I think I found me a good one willing to work with me. We pulled a unit last nite and found the coils to be ate up with electrolysis. All 5 units were not bonded along with the sea pump. I also found a low pressure switch on another unit with a short in it, causing a spark and burned wire. Fire hazzard!

Since I came onboard I have fired the mechanic and the A/C man. Only one left is my mate. If I fire her I'll be sleeping on the porch. :facepalm:

I'm not really that hard to get along with, but don't take advantage of my family, friends, or bossman.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Where does sasto go on vacation?

 

[nlain]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Quote"I'm not really that hard to get along with, but don't take advantage of my family, friends, or bossman."Quote

That is the way it should be. There are too many people out there today claiming to know what they are doing when they don't know squat. Sounds like some of the a/c problems were due to improper installation by not grounding everything, such a simple task to complete the job left undone.

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Where does sasto go on vacation?

Anywhere there are no boats, no bikinis, no ocean, no playgrounds, no tiki huts, no golf courses, and nobody else on vacation, ezmobee....That would be my beautiful home state...in the mountains of West Virginia...in a log cabin. I wanted to travel up to Maine, but decided to put that on hold for another year.

That is the way it should be. There are too many people out there today claiming to know what they are doing when they don't know squat. Sounds like some of the a/c problems were due to improper installation by not grounding everything, such a simple task to complete the job left undone.

I'm not perfect, but I expect everybody else to be!

Sasto, sorry for not getting back to you.
Second suggestion is to use wireless trancievers. About $50 here - http://www.x10.com/promotions/wireless_video_sender_vk82a.html

You could have a central entertainment center and then wirelessly pipe the TV signal to anywhere on the boat. FYI, it will handle more than just the cable. You could hook up a DVD player, etc. to go with it.

Thanks for the response, Bubba. One word on the wireless sender.....SOLD.....Thanks for the info, I never knew one existed. I'm glad I waited on this project!