The R?surrection of the SeaGem

[Huron Angler]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Wow...if the transom/hull can handle the 398hp I say go for it

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Bill,
Don't you have an Alpha one? IF so they are only rated for 300 HP.
Those new motor mounts and bilge area look great. It should make you feel a lot better knowing it right then just hoping.
Great Job.
Bob

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Huron Angler - its not the hull or transom I'm worried about, Bob just hit the nail on the head

Hey Bill,
Don't you have an Alpha one? IF so they are only rated for 300 HP.
Those new motor mounts and bilge area look great. It should make you feel a lot better knowing it right then just hoping.
Great Job.
Bob

Now that's what I'm Worried about At 325 I wasn't to worried figured I would just take it easy, but at 400 I have even thought about choking the sheet out of it and bolting on a 2bbl or disconnecting the secondaries on the 4bbl. otherwise as achris would say "Grenade!"
I tried to buy a bravo setup but the one I bought turned out to be an alpha I when I got a look at it . Now the units are going for way to much money because we are getting close to the season. The shame of it is I already have an engine mounted seawater pump cause it has a closed cooling system it would have just been a matter of the gimbal and the drive which I am already changing.

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

I'd run it. If it pops, you'll know why! I'd hate to see you put the work in on the heads and then choke the engine off with a puny carb. You were thinking of buying a bravo anyways, do a real world test of a alpha, and if it blows swap out next winter when prices are down.

My .02,
Terry

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

I'd run it. If it pops, you'll know why! I'd hate to see you put the work in on the heads and then choke the engine off with a puny carb. You were thinking of buying a bravo anyways, do a real world test of a alpha, and if it blows swap out next winter when prices are down.

My .02,
Terry

Hey Terry, I thought of that but I have a few things working against me. If it blows up it will be on the ocean, not on a lake tows can get expensive, I don't want to limit my boating season to 1 day, and I don't have the $ to replace it if she blows now.

I think I am going to throw the stock manifold back on for now, according to the software it will put it at 330.4hp@4500 rpm with 499.8fp torque at 2000. That is opposed to 399.8 hp @ 5000 & 463.3fp @ 4000rpm

It might be a better fit anyway, producing torque at a lower rpm where its needed most

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Good point, at sea I agree reliability is at a premium. I do wonder though, how Merc rates by HP. All the drivetrain ratings I have dealt with boil down to not caring about HP, but torque. The gears dont care as much about how fast they are spinning (within limits) but do care about how hard they are being sheared. Seeing how much you know about building engines, I'm sure you've heard the same?

Could anyone explain how a outdrive is different? Not trying to sound smart, just curious!

Terry

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Good point, at sea I agree reliability is at a premium. I do wonder though, how Merc rates by HP. All the drivetrain ratings I have dealt with boil down to not caring about HP, but torque. The gears dont care as much about how fast they are spinning (within limits) but do care about how hard they are being sheared. Seeing how much you know about building engines, I'm sure you've heard the same?

Could anyone explain how a outdrive is different? Not trying to sound smart, just curious!

Terry

Yea I was thinking the same thing, when I was looking at the #'s for the torker I thought to myself well at least I wont twist it apart at 3k because the torque was lower. This is kinda like building a big block Vega and leaving a stock rear
I am hoping like all parts there is a safety factor added in and as long as I don't to anything real stupid it will hold together.

 

[betayv]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

hey HVAC cruiser the boat is looking good you will be surprise how that boat handle the ocean, I miss that from my old one, and dont worry about getting stuck on the ocean call towboat us or sea tow and check how much is for the full year I paid 160$ down here, just in case.

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

hey HVAC cruiser the boat is looking good you will be surprise how that boat handle the ocean, I miss that from my old one, and dont worry about getting stuck on the ocean call towboat us or sea tow and check how much is for the full year I paid 160$ down here, just in case.

Hey Beta,

I'm hoping to find out next month how she handles . With the tow, I rather stay on the side of caution and not push my luck with overpowering the boat. I think I can add towing on to my Gieco policy which I just might do to be safe

 

[83mulligan]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Bill, another nice job you've done. The engine work is really neat. I pulled an old inline six out of my project. Wish i had that base of knowledge to tear into it. Anyhow, nice work so far!! I'm chipping away at mine. Being my first experience with this i'm learning everything as I go, mostly here at Iboats. People like you and this site make it possible.

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Bill, another nice job you've done. The engine work is really neat. I pulled an old inline six out of my project. Wish i had that base of knowledge to tear into it. Anyhow, nice work so far!! I'm chipping away at mine. Being my first experience with this i'm learning everything as I go, mostly here at Iboats. People like you and this site make it possible.

Hey Steve,
Thanks for the kind words, your doing great on your boat. Engines and mechanics aren't hard my mentor always told me just deal with everything in sub-assemblies, one thing at a time and the most complex will turn simple. I was very lucky growing up because my dad was a diesel mechanic in the navy, always working on anything mechanical which gave me a good foundation. Being poor helped too, when something broke he had no choice but to fix it himself from vacuum's to washing machines lol

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

HVAC Cruiser,
Hey man, its looking good. I think I would be erring on the side of safety too. I don't think the current or winds would bring you back very fast.
Take care
Bob

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

HVAC Cruiser,
Hey man, its looking good. I think I would be erring on the side of safety too. I don't think the current or winds would bring you back very fast.
Take care
Bob

Yea, I am gonna put the old iron q jet manifold back on, Today I got the gimbal back on the boat "Y" pipe installed and started tracing out wires. As it turned out the trim limit switch was jumped at the pump and I am having problems finding the wires for the position sensor. I am to the point were I'm just going to run new, I swear it would be easier. I just thank God that the trim wires from the shifter were straight and I didn't have to mess with them. One thing that is messing me up although something small is that I found a light socket just hanging loose behind the starboard gunnel NO idea where it goes Worst case maybe use it to add some bilge lighting

Well time for dinner

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

HVAC Cruiser,
Sounds like a good plan.
The extra socket you found may just be someones idea of courtesy lighting.
Where are you having problems finding the trim wires at?
Take care.
Bob

 

[sprintst]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

I tore apart my console and sterring wheel and found out why my tow/haul mode on my Yukon doesn't work. Two little wires were cut by the GM mechanics when they replaced a bad shifter. Damn little wires. I will either try to fix it with butt connectors or solder them.

I'll be adding lighting in the motor and bow areas with crazy bright leds. Might get some night fishing in...

Yea, I am gonna put the old iron q jet manifold back on, Today I got the gimbal back on the boat "Y" pipe installed and started tracing out wires. As it turned out the trim limit switch was jumped at the pump and I am having problems finding the wires for the position sensor. I am to the point were I'm just going to run new, I swear it would be easier. I just thank God that the trim wires from the shifter were straight and I didn't have to mess with them. One thing that is messing me up although something small is that I found a light socket just hanging loose behind the starboard gunnel NO idea where it goes Worst case maybe use it to add some bilge lighting

Well time for dinner

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

The light socket that I found was just laying in the hull behind the inner skin. I couldn't find the lens side it should go to .

I figured out the wiring for the trim limit, someone had it jumped out at the pump. Its the trim sensor that I can't find the wiring to. I looked at the manual it shows it going to the Mercathode unmarked terminal with one lead and the gauge with the other. On mine there are no leads on the extra term. and no wires at the transom for the trim position sensor either. To make matters worse the color coding is off, its real simple wiring but Im having problems finding the wiring from the gauge in the stern. Here is the schematic I am working off, the black/purple, brn/wht , and black wire seem to be non existent.

The boat also don't have the electrode on the hydraulic connector block, the orange wire goes back to the transom on the starboard side. Today after I get finished some control work for a customer I am going to tear into it and see what I can find. I have a roll of marine wire I'm real tempted to say s@#$ it and just run all new

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

I just looked at the Mercathode system again, the control module almost looks like it was abandoned, is this possible? how much does that solid state box do?

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

I'm not sure, I would guess it is relay? Where is the switch in the circut?

On a side note, what software are you using for your engine calcs? Is it freeware or did you buy it?

Terry

 

[83vert]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Bill, I may need to borrow that B-tank from you if it is still ok. I just got back from vacation and I will be looking to get back to work on it tomorrow or thurs. thanks

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Bill, I may need to borrow that B-tank from you if it is still ok. I just got back from vacation and I will be looking to get back to work on it tomorrow or thurs. thanks

No problem I am home today working on computer controls if you want to swing by I'll be here till 4:30. Tomorrow I might be in Ronkonkoma putting in 200amp service for my brother off motor pkwy

EDIT- I'll be home tomorrow too, done for today gotta finish this tomorrow all this programming has me cross eyed