CVZ-18 restore thread...part 2

[Hotwired]

Man!  That is a good looking engine!!!  Good work Doran!

[AndyBean]

Doran that looks great.  When will you run it?

[dorelse]

Doran that looks great.  When will you run it?

Most likely not until next spring.  Its getting too cold at nights to really want to have to winterize it...its already 'dry' if you will, so no need to risk it now.  I have a lot of things to do on it before its ready to run anyway.

[GT150 JEFF]

Doran

Keep up the great work every thing is looking good.

Look me up if you happen to get to the twin cities this winter

Jeff

[dorelse]

So...finally ordered and received the bolts for mounting the engine.  Naturally, my Clymers manual has the front torque specs, but no rear.  

Help...I've torqued them to 20 for now.


And...2 steps forward, 1 step back...the cable bracket won't mount with the MDS distributor...too big.

Now what?  Put the motor to TDC, and swap it out?  I still have the Thunderbolt distributor that I originally purchased.

[Jason]

Can you flip the red cable over 180 degrees?

[dorelse]

Can you flip the red cable over 180 degrees?

Yeah, I wondered that too.  I'll check it tomorrow.

[Rich_V174SS]

You can flip the red cable around, it will still work fine. But, from what I understand those big red distributor caps with the coil built in are not marine approved.

[dorelse]

You can flip the red cable around, it will still work fine. But, from what I understand those big red distributor caps with the coil built in are not marine approved.

It isn't approved...and it won't be staying.  However, for right now, the engine has been run & timed with it installed.  So...the plan is to install everything, (not mess up a tuned & running engine), then...swap it out when I close up the engine bay.

It won't be there as like you've said, its not approved for marine applications.  (I have no interest in blowing up the family.)

Rich - Any idea on the rear bolt torque specs? 

[Rich_V174SS]

 Tight

[Rich_V174SS]

I've just consulted my Alpha one installation book and it says the rear engine bolts should be tightened to 35-40 Lbs. Ft.

[Rosscoe]

Tight

LOL

Looks great D. I havent checked the thread for awhile. That is the used engine you picked up last year? Look nice and clean. I am curious...you mention Clymers manual...is it one for that boat specifically or?

[dorelse]

LOL

Looks great D. I havent checked the thread for awhile. That is the used engine you picked up last year? Look nice and clean. I am curious...you mention Clymers manual...is it one for that boat specifically or?

Its the Clymers Mercruiser engine manual.  I'm finding its good for the basics, but lacks specifics, so I'm having to ask Rich for help from time to time.

Yep, this is the motor I picked up from Buffalo Lake, MN last summer for $200.00 on a road trip with my Dad.  (Don't be too impressed though, I paid to have it professionally rebuilt.  I know my limits.)

[dorelse]

Slowly but surely its coming along.  Carb is on, cables attached, flame arrestor, cleaned & installed...

[Hotwired]

A little closer every day!  I have not done much of anything with any of mine.  Need to get a few weekends to get at them.  I did shovel out the CV-16 a bit.  Filled the shop vac several times with yard trash from inside the hull.  Need to get at grinding out the rest of the transom and floor.

[dorelse]

Yeah, if I actually knew what I was doing, I'm guessing this could be done in what, a couple more hours?  Having never done anything more than changing my own oil, I'm really slow!

[Hotwired]

No better way to learn than the bust your knuckles while trying!!! 

Wish I had a lot more mechanical knowledge too. But that is where the brotherhood here comes in!

[Rosscoe]

I am curious about this dist. Did the rebuilder install that one? If its not Marine approved, I dont understand why they'd do that or did you buy it and then discover that? Not approved due to spark issues?

[dorelse]

I am curious about this dist. Did the rebuilder install that one? If its not Marine approved, I dont understand why they'd do that or did you buy it and then discover that? Not approved due to spark issues?

There's a longer story here...but...the machine shop that rebuilt the motor for me does marine engines for 'manhood compensation' boats on a regular basis.  The mechanic who rebuilt my engine has a twin engine Fountain and he uses the MDS Streetfire Dist that you see in mine.  He 'upgraded' me for free.

I suspected it wasn't when I brought it home, but soon after, confirmed it wasn't.  They run them in their race boats as well, they pretty much don't care if they blow up I guess.  So...I'll get mine installed & running, then swap it out this spring.  I've seen the engine run when it was on their stand being timed.  If I have problems getting it running this spring, I'll know its something I did...most likely electrical or fuel related. 

Its one of those deals where I'm sure its fine 99.9% of the time...but that one time you have fuel vapor in the engine bay...and its good night.

[floater1]

Not that it makes it right but I know someone who has run a regular auto dist in his boat for many years.  

What exactly does the manufacturer do to make it "marine" approved?  Extra insulation on the cap?  Find out exactly what they do and duplicate it on the one you have .  New v8 marine distributors are well over $300 new from my findings.