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by Bilge Rat
Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:48 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: 63 Sea Skiff Sportsman dead electrical system
Replies: 12
Views: 6036

Re: 63 Sea Skiff Sportsman dead electrical system

So to recap: New battery You didn't say if you can get the engine to start but you do say you have no accessories working. Voltage at battery terminals is around 14 - 15 volts, which is very good. Some further troubleshooting steps with the meter are in order: Negative meter lead to a good clean spo...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:30 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Can’t figure it out!
Replies: 7
Views: 4638

Re: Can’t figure it out!

As a process of elimination, temporarily try a known good pressure gauge connected at the engine gauge port. An easy first thing to check before opening up the crankcase.
by Bilge Rat
Fri Jul 23, 2021 6:40 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: 63 Sea Skiff Sportsman dead electrical system
Replies: 12
Views: 6036

Re: 63 Sea Skiff Sportsman dead electrical system

The shunt is a resistor that slightly "drops" voltage across it (battery in, accessories out). The ammeter is connected across the resistor to measure the small difference and then display this as amps on the meter. The more amps being drawn through the shunt by the accessories, the higher the volta...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:21 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Leaky bottom
Replies: 6
Views: 5312

Re: Leaky bottom

What make and model of boat?
by Bilge Rat
Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:39 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Prop shaft packing
Replies: 3
Views: 3671

Re: Prop shaft packing

Don't forget to tighten the locking nut against the packing gland after each adjustment. Otherwise it could loosen from the shaft friction when you're going forward.
by Bilge Rat
Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:05 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Old subject. Oil recommendations. 'W' motors.
Replies: 6
Views: 3659

Re: Old subject. Oil recommendations. 'W' motors.

Second on installing filters because: If using a filter, you can use a detergent oil to suspend the crap in the oil so the filter can trap it. If you do not use a filter, you're supposed to use a non-detergent oil and the crap settles out in the oil pan, rather than circulate through the finely mach...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:45 pm
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: Chrome Plating
Replies: 1
Views: 4203

Re: Chrome Plating

Years ago I used Sandy's Bumper Mart in Syracuse. Drivable from Buffalo. Results were very good.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Mar 09, 2021 3:13 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: CC 1952 U18 side planks on hull
Replies: 2
Views: 4387

Re: CC 1952 U18 side planks on hull

Nice you are interested in preserving Milt's hard work and to continue to appreciate these fine craft. That said, you have pretty much identified the issue you have, plank movement from drying out. The planks will shrink at their width, usually not at their length as that's the nature of wood. You s...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:16 pm
Forum: Cockpit and Cabin Interiors
Topic: Engine Box for 1964 21' Sea Skiff Sportsman
Replies: 4
Views: 5132

Re: Engine Box for 1964 21' Sea Skiff Sportsman

There's also a 24 foot 1965 Sea Skiff on Ebay now with some pictures that might help. Don't know what engine you have but this one covers a 283 V8.
by Bilge Rat
Fri Mar 05, 2021 7:33 am
Forum: Cockpit and Cabin Interiors
Topic: Engine Box for 1964 21' Sea Skiff Sportsman
Replies: 4
Views: 5132

Re: Engine Box for 1964 21' Sea Skiff Sportsman

Someone on this site probably has the same boat and could take pictures and dimensions for you. You could peruse the hull registry if you are a paying member and look for the same boat or years around that era for a similar Sea Skiff, then contact those people for help.
by Bilge Rat
Sun Feb 28, 2021 12:46 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KL convert to downdraft carb
Replies: 5
Views: 3572

Re: KL convert to downdraft carb

I agree with Greg's recommendations but will add that maybe temporarily running it from a gas can, bypassing the boat's tank will eliminate everything with the tank and fuel pick up. I know that its tough to do while motoring across the water, but it can be done safely. The fuel pick up sometimes ha...
by Bilge Rat
Sun Feb 28, 2021 12:38 pm
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Best Battery?
Replies: 2
Views: 4137

Re: Best Battery?

There is a better marine rating than cold cranking amps (from Interstate Battery's website): Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is a test conducted at 0 F (-18 C) for 30 seconds without falling below 7.2v at the battery's CCA rating Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) is a test conducted at 32 F (0 C) for 30 seconds w...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Feb 11, 2021 7:23 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: finally removed my engines for the rebuild and seeking advice
Replies: 4
Views: 6972

Re: finally removed my engines for the rebuild and seeking advice

Depends on how grimey they are but Dawn dish detergent works very well at breaking up grease and oil without being harsh on the wood and your hands.

May require power washing if its really caked on but use the power washer carefully, it can do damage as well.
by Bilge Rat
Wed Feb 03, 2021 7:21 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: 1930 26' model 111 CC "Contessa"
Replies: 3
Views: 3148

Re: 1930 26' model 111 CC "Contessa"

I believe Jim Staib at finewoodboats.com has an A-120 for sale.

Remember...it's only money.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:31 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: KFL exhaust manifold end cap wanted
Replies: 5
Views: 4847

Re: KFL exhaust manifold end cap wanted

Ah well, swing and a miss strike one...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:06 am
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: 1930 Gemmer Steering Box
Replies: 3
Views: 4798

Re: 1930 Gemmer Steering Box

While you can still get steering gearbox oil, one of the challenges is keeping it from leaking past seals and into the bilge. I hate oil in the bilge. One way around this is to use a high pressure grease instead of oil. The steering assembly was taken from car manufacturers of the day and as cars ha...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jan 19, 2021 7:13 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: KFL exhaust manifold end cap wanted
Replies: 5
Views: 4847

Re: KFL exhaust manifold end cap wanted

Try Jim Staib at finewoodboats.com
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:26 am
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: Threaded drain plug...
Replies: 1
Views: 3944

Re: Threaded drain plug...

Try Jim Staib at Finewoodboats.com.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jan 05, 2021 1:50 pm
Forum: Research Related
Topic: WI area - wood source
Replies: 16
Views: 8970

Re: WI area - wood source

Philippine mahogany was originally used but may be difficult to source today. In actuality, Philippine mahogany isn't a true mahogany but a member of the lauan family. You may get lucky in finding some but do not use African or Honduran as the color and grain pattern will possibly look very differen...
by Bilge Rat
Sat Jan 02, 2021 11:42 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KL Engine Running Hot
Replies: 9
Views: 4465

Re: KL Engine Running Hot

Second on the infrared temperature gun. Can also be used to pinpoint hot spots on the manifold or head.
by Bilge Rat
Fri Dec 11, 2020 7:30 am
Forum: Research Related
Topic: exhaust fumes
Replies: 3
Views: 4741

Re: exhaust fumes

This can be a common phenomenon but you need to figure out if it's exhaust washing back up forward, or is it engine blow-by fumes from the engine compartment coming back into the cockpit. Blow-by fumes usually have a burnt oil smell. If you have a bilge blower, (and everyone should) try running that...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:10 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: Navigation / Anchor Switch Wiring
Replies: 6
Views: 6236

Re: Navigation / Anchor Switch Wiring

If you do not have a DPST switch (you have only 2 terminals instead of 4 on your switch) for the navigation switch, you can use an inexpensive diode and SPST switches. This is what I did on my Lyman as we overnight on it and per the regulations, we have an all-around anchor light on all night when a...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Dec 07, 2020 8:54 am
Forum: How to Use Boat Buzz
Topic: 1954 26’ Sea Skiff not going up to speed
Replies: 13
Views: 7452

Re: 1954 26’ Sea Skiff not going up to speed

Second on verifying the distributor advance. If you have a timing light, you can easily check for advance by observing the mark at idle and at speed. At speed it would be further into the rotation direction before the mark. If you want to verify exact advance, a timing light with an advance knob let...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:17 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KL exteriot coolant line
Replies: 1
Views: 2170

Re: KL exteriot coolant line

Warming the fuel mixture helps it to atomize better than when cold. Carbs being the inefficient things that they are have been notoriously heavy on the fuel droplets. Modern fuel injection, not so much but they need a computer to regulate properly and reliably. Under certain conditions of temperatur...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Nov 10, 2020 10:38 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Crack in keel by rudder
Replies: 10
Views: 6992

Re: Crack in keel by rudder

Well as you mentioned, pictures will help us in offering ideas but until then... Yeah, the keel on a Sportsman will not easily "pop" out, a major task to say the least. Probably a simple repair depending on the cause of the crack. There is stress on the keel in this area from the rudder turning the ...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:09 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Side plank seam repair
Replies: 12
Views: 8547

Re: Side plank seam repair

Appears to be either some plank movement going on or a drying out of the planks. Either is to be expected in a 73 year old boat, whether it's used every season or put in non-climate controlled storage. So what to do with it? Mahogany colored Famowood is a recommended filler for some screw holes, din...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Oct 06, 2020 7:44 am
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: 1956 Chris-Craft Sportsman Utility rub rail: chrome or stainless?
Replies: 2
Views: 4676

Re: 1956 Chris-Craft Sportsman Utility rub rail: chrome or stainless?

The rails on my 55 17' Sportsman were polished stainless steel.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Oct 06, 2020 6:37 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Driveline vibration, what’s normal?
Replies: 11
Views: 5046

Re: Driveline vibration, what’s normal?

I would suggest disconnecting the prop shaft from the transmission to isolate the engine, then run it in gear. If you have enough clearance between the drive flanges and prop log to uncouple, try that first. If the flanges aren't already marked, mark then so they can be reassembled the same as befor...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Sep 29, 2020 6:12 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: M7 adding temp gauge
Replies: 2
Views: 2235

Re: M7 adding temp gauge

Yes it is with the proper adapters. The plug might be a challenge to remove if it's been in there forever.
by Bilge Rat
Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:24 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Gel Coat, Marine Paint, or Varnish for '63 Constellation
Replies: 3
Views: 5161

Re: Gel Coat, Marine Paint, or Varnish for '63 Constellation

Just my opinion but I think bright finish on the hull sides will be a big challenge to get it right. Every screw that has been plugged with a compound will show through and I don't think the factory used mahogany bungs to plug the holes on the big cruisers either. You also have different non-matched...