The R?surrection of the SeaGem

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Vegas

Tell you what if you look up jinxed in the dictionary is says SEE BILL ! you don't even want to know the latest but if you notice I haven't been around here much lately. although I have to say it was self inflicted

Well I picked up the micro-lam last night and today I plan on making the new motor mount stringer today. I am undecided how I should laminate though I made some fast cad drawings showing how it was originally and my options. any opinions

Original design with dimensional lumber bottom

Option 1

Option 2

I want it to be as strong as possible with gripping power for the motor mount bolts. I am leaning towards option 2 anyone have any thoughts?

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Bill,
I think I like option 2 the best. I think either will serve you well. I just like #2.
Bob

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Bill,
I think I like option 2 the best. I think either will serve you well. I just like #2.
Bob

Hi Bob
That's what I was thinking too here is a pic of the rough cuts I made today

There is one spot on the micro-lam I am not happy with I put arrows on the spot it looks like a splice within the beam itself

Tomorrow I am going to glue and clamp it together, probably let it set till sunday then do the final forming.
I ran out of time today because I had to watch the kids and play Mr. Mom Lol

I still have 3- 2x12x8 pieces of micro lam left. I am arguing with myself if I should do the port side too seeing I have the material even though it appears to be fine.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Bill,
I see the joint you are talking about. I'm not sure if I would worry about it or not. You may want to let some resin or epoxy run down into the joint to add strength.
As for doing the other motor mount, I would error on the side of caution. You already have the material, why take a chance and have it fail.I would just replace it and then there is no question about it's condition.
Just my thoughts.
Bob

 

[redfury]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

with that much thickness of the micro lam, the overlap joints are a non issue...there's so much strength there already, then you'll be adding glass to it...it's not as if the wood is going to break at that point...lol- it's typical over engineering at its finest!

 

[83vert]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

with that much thickness of the micro lam, the overlap joints are a non issue...there's so much strength there already, then you'll be adding glass to it...it's not as if the wood is going to break at that point...lol- it's typical over engineering at its finest!

I agree 100% and you may as well change out the other side while there is no motor to fuss with. Glad to see your still plugging along.

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

with that much thickness of the micro lam, the overlap joints are a non issue...there's so much strength there already, then you'll be adding glass to it...it's not as if the wood is going to break at that point...lol- it's typical over engineering at its finest!

Your right, I was actually very impressed with the massive stringers that are on this boat. The new ones are 1/4" narrower, than the original. I was going to add a piece of ply to make up the difference but I don't think 5 1/4 vs 5 1/2 is going to make much of a difference. Especially that I went from dimensional to micro-lam

Hey Bob and Vert
Yep I am still plugging away at her keeps my mind off reality lol

Today I have time my wife is taking the kids to visit her mom so I am going to make the other one then glue and clamp the pieces together.
The only dilemma I am left with is the reason it rotted in the 1st place. The PO added a seawater pump that didn't clear the stringer so they cut a big chunk out of the corner of the stringer. I have to take some measurements today and see if I can change the taper of the mount to accommodate the pump without changing the load distribution. My other option is to see if I can re-locate the pump. It doesn't make sense to me that the manufacturer would not account for room for it seeing it came with a closed cooling option right from the factory.
On another note my new/used drive came in yesterday looks like the best $250 I have spent so far. Now all I have to do is decide if I want to get a new/used gimbal too, I have to access the corrosion on the existing one

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Awsome to hear you got the new drive!

looking good on the motor mount....Im sure it will MORE THAN SUFFICE ...OVERKILL BILL! lol

wow you are a gluton for punishment...what is it like 20 below and snowy !

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

HVAC Cruiser,
Did I read that number right? $250 for the complete drive,that is a great price.
Now, you know we expect pic's!!!
Sounds great.
Bob

 

[sprintst]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Looking good. Keep the pics coming.

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Bob Yep, I got it for 250.00 on ebay. Nice drive I got it so cheep cause the bottom of the skeg is broken off. I checked the run out of the shaft and such and its fine unharmed . I am going to weld the bottom part of my old one on her and repaint. Now I am looking for a gimble mine has a lot of corrosion I found a fresh water one for 250 without the rams as a buy it now. yesterday I lost one complete with rams and hoses for a lousy $5. I sniped the bid with 290 as a cap someone else sniped it for 295 oh well.

Hey sprintst Thanks, I did get the starboard mount finished this weekend
I rounded the front corner to make sure I clear the seawater pump

I actually worked on my original project over the weekend. I built a proper cradle for her and got her under a canopy. Yesterday I spent my time grinding and sanding. Sometimes with being "Overkill Bill" I screw up royally, I was so intent on making the stern as strong as possible I didn't realize I put a major hook in her the last 1' so out came the grinder and the belt sander. I must have had over 1" of layers on her. Spent 6 hours straightening her out.

Wifey is very upset with me these days so I think I am going to get her dads old boat ( my other Restore project) finished 1st as a peace offering while I build the engine for the Sea Gem.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey Bill,
Nice snag on the drive and good luck searching for a gimble.
The mount looks great and I'm glad to hear your are doing both sides, shouldn't have any regrets now.
Keep the pic's coming.
Bob

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Awsome to hear you got the new drive!

looking good on the motor mount....Im sure it will MORE THAN SUFFICE ...OVERKILL BILL! lol

wow you are a gluton for punishment...what is it like 20 below and snowy !

Hey Man
Yea I got lucky on the drive The weather isn't that bad, its in the 30's yesterday was rough though, even with a plastic tarp it got real wet and muddy laying under the boat in the backyard. It took half the nite to get the chill out of my bones

Hey BWR
Thanks, I did find a Gimble for 300 completely rebuilt bearings,bellows etc. I am just waiting for some of the stuff I sold on e-bay to be picked up so paypal releases the $3k of my money they are holding Grrrrr. I just started selling again on e-bay, paypals policy is they hold the money till you get + feedback on the item

 

[sprintst]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Nice work on that mount. That thing isn't going anywhere. I may redo the wood under my mount even though it is dimensional as well. Worst case it will get a coat of epoxy.

I've got some of my motorcycle stuff on e-bay now. Other stuff I'll dump on other local listing sites due to shipping costs. With any luck it will pay for my interior work with upholstery.

I've got so much stuff I don't know what I even own anymore. May as well sell it if I'm not using it.

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Got a little work done over the weekend . My little helper and I started getting all the old oxidation off the gelcoat. Here you can see the difference from the way it was compaired to buffing it with some polishing compound I think it came out decent

And my little helper polishing off the dusty residue

There are some gouges in the gelcoat that I am trying to figure out what to do with, I hate trying to patch them for fear of not getting the color matched right and winding up with blotches.

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Well the machinist called, I get the block and heads back this week. The block has been boiled, line honed, decked to 0.0 new brass core plugs . Rods and pistons shot penned, glass beaded. Heads milled and cc'd to 72cc stainless valves, 3 angle valve job some relief work in the bowl area and pocket ported. I ordered a bunch of stuff for the engine, hopefully the cam kit comes in today so I can drop the springs off so the heads can get finished

My engine Grocery List of parts ordered

• Moly Rings
• Clevite main and Rod Bearings
• Fel-pro gasket set
• 1 piece oil pan gasket
• Mellings oil pump and pickup
• Comp cams Extreme Marine 256H cam lifters,springs,timing chain
• Mercruiser exhaust block-off manifold gaskets

Now for what I am arguing with myself over, the risers on the existing manifold were bad, the starboard one was only held on with 3 bolts yep that what ruined the original engine.
Should I buy the complete GLM manifold kit or just new 4" risers? the manifolds I have look ok but GLM advertises that their manifolds flow better than the Mercruiser ones. I am this deep into the engine work that I don't know if I even want to chance using the original manifolds for the lousy $245 difference in price. the complete manifold +riser kit with shipping is $460. The cost for just the risers is $215, I'm thinking it just might be cheep insurance.

Next up I have to get the pump # off my raw water pump and try to find a rebuild kit for it

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Hey HVAC Cruiser,
The boat looks like it is really coming along. Looks like your little helper is really moving too.
Sounds like your on the right path for the engine too. I would probably spend the extra money for the risers too.
Keep it rolling.
Bob

 

[sprintst]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Take a look at Georgiawatersports for a joke on the Mercruiser parts. So far so good for me

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

Small Update

Picked up the engine from the machine shop. After a weekend of grinding, deburing, cleaning and washing the block in 40 degree weather I got her down the basement. I then dried her, blew out all passageways etc.. and let her come up to temperature. To the valley and all non-machined surfaces I applied Gliptal to facilitate oil draining back to the pan and seal the porosity in the block (yes overkill bill strikes again lol). I keep telling myself its not a race engine, but old habits die hard and some just refuse to die . This will also help keep the oil nice and clean Hehehe...

This pick I took looking up, to lazy to spin the engine stand No my drumset in background is not hanging from the ceiling Lol

As you can see I also gave the block a coat of Eastwood black+ activator, this makes it easier for me to keep it clean.

The surface rust you see in the cylinders is just from the washing. I am going to run a light hone on the cylinders again to remove it. right now my average piston to wall clearance is .0034", which with the TRW forged I have this is a little tight for my taste, I want to see about .004-.005" so the hone will allow me to match my pistons with the cylinders.

NOTE TO SELF: Don't use acetone, glyptal, and engine paint in BASEMENT it upsets the Wife when it stinks up the house !!! Man I miss my shop!!

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: The R?surrection of the SeaGem

HVAC Cruiser,
Old habits don't die hard, they just don't die. We may be able to repress them but they are always with us.
One other point for future reference, Wifes don't like fiberglass resins either. I found out the hard way.
The engine looks good.
Bob