Search results

  1. rs2k

    Difficult to read HIN

    One of my boats has an HIN that is very difficult to read. The HIN was molded into the fiberglass and you have to look at it in the right light and at an odd angle to see it. I tried to do a rubbing and I could not make it stand out clearly that way. There is absolutely no evidence that the HIN...
  2. rs2k

    Where can I find a list of parts that MUST be SAE J1171 approved?

    Where can I find a list of parts that MUST be SAE J1171 approved?
  3. rs2k

    Only one thermostat in stringer 800. My other stringer has two.

    My parts and repair manual are pretty vague in this area. How many thermostats do the 800 stringers have? My electric shift has one 140 for the engine and one unknown temp for the thermostat housing. After taking off the thermostat housing on my 800s I found that it just has the one 160...
  4. rs2k

    Where can I get a good rod holder that fits on a rail?

    I want some rod holders for deep sea poles. The good ones I see are designed to fit into a hole in your fiberglass. I would love to use these on my boat, but unfortunately, I have a rail around the back and sides and they would be impractical to use. Does anyone know of a good pole holder than I...
  5. rs2k

    Is it safe to burn an alcohol stove in a closed cabin?

    Is it safe to burn an alcohol stove in a closed cabin? I'm worried about the fumes.
  6. rs2k

    Can I safely fight corrosion with WD40?

    I spray down my engine and other metal parts with WD40 when I winterize my boat. I plan on taking my boat to the ocean. Is it safe to spray down my engine with WD40 every once in a while? I know WD40 can ignite when in vapor form (very fun to test), but I've noticed a light film does not burn...
  7. rs2k

    I hydrolocked my engine a couple of times. What's the chance of a bent con rod?

    While trying to figure out if the engine had a blown head gasket (which it did), a cracked block, or a bad manifold, I hydro locked the engine a couple of times. Each time it happened I pulled the plugs and spun the water out. I didn't try to crank it over when the starter would start to stall.
  8. rs2k

    Can I use red RTV in place of a gasket on the exhasut riser?

    I either need to get new gaskets or just use red RTV. I've use this in other places in lieu of gaskets.
  9. rs2k

    Non removable thermostat in t-stat housing. OMC 800

    Am I missing something here? The t-stat housing on my Chevy 350 has a thermostat in it, but it does not appear to be removable. The housing is one piece and the t-stat is in the middle of it. My other stringer drive has a two piece t-stat housing. Do I have to replace the whole housing when the...
  10. rs2k

    Do they make a small 110v water cooled marine generator?

    I want a system that can run a small cabin A/C over night. I found I can put together a small battery bank to meet my needs for around $700. Are there any generators that can provide the same thing? If so, how much do they cost? How small are they? I have room to the side of my starboard engine...
  11. rs2k

    Are two 100 amp alternators enough to charge a 600 amp hour battery of batteries?

    I am thinking about adding a group of batteries and an inverter that's separate of the starting batteries. I don't know if two 100 amp alternators will be strong enough to recharge 600 amp hours of batteries though. Do I need a generator in place of an alternator?
  12. rs2k

    What's the best way to add a warning buzer to a Chevy 350 without loosing the gauges?

    I want to add a warning buzzer like the system shown here: http://www.iboats.com/Cole_Hersee_Marine_Engine_Warning_Kit_Warning_Buzzer/dm/*******.219227750--**********.181506013--view_id.3876 It looks like it replaced the oil pressure and temp sender though. I want to be able to read both oil...
  13. rs2k

    Odd feeling cylinder head bolt while torquing cylinder head onto Chevy 350.

    I replaced the head gaskets on one of my 350s today. Cylinder 3 had blown out into cylinders 1 and 5. I always torque the head bolt down in three stages. 25 Ft-Lbs, 50 Ft-Lbs, then 65-70 Ft-Lbs. Everything seemed to be going just fine until I got to the last stage. My 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch...
  14. rs2k

    Where does one get bottom paint at? How do you paint underneath the trailer bunkers?

    I don't know anything about bottom paint. My new cabin cruiser has bottom paint that needs to be redone, but I am unsure as to how to paint around the trailer. What does the paint cost per gallon and how much boat will that cover? What does it cost to have someone else do the painting and where...
  15. rs2k

    What's the safest bet when stuck in a thunderstorm out on the ocean?

    I know an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but what's the safest thing to do when you get stuck in a thunderstorm. I know you want to point the bow into heavy waves, but I'm more worried about the lightning than I am the waves. My Kansas instincts would tell me to go inside and lay...
  16. rs2k

    Blown head gasket.

    I thought my port Chevy 350 had a cracked block. I pulled off the heads to take a look and it looks like it just had a blown head gasket. It has no cracks on either the head or block that my sharp eyes can see. Will hydro lock cause a blown head gasket? I believe there was oil in cylinder #3...
  17. rs2k

    If I rebuild my Chevy 350s, should I add a closed fesh water coolant system?

    I know Chevy 350's are cheap, but is it worth getting a closed fresh water cooling system for salt water use? This is for my 28 foot twin engine cabin cruiser. I do intend to trailer the boat, I don't really want it to sit in salt water for weeks at a time. I found a new system for $800 that...
  18. rs2k

    Missing capacity plate on 28' cabin cruiser.

    I cannot find the capacity plate on this boat. It almost looks like it never had one. I then found this rule: Federal law requires single-hull boats less than 20 feet in length to have a capacity plate. (However, PWC and sailboat manufacturers are not required to attach a capacity plate.)...
  19. rs2k

    Hull ID is nowhere to be found on a 1981 cuddy.

    My friend picked up an old boat from craigslist. He has the registration for the boat so we know what the HIN is, we just can't confirm it. There is absolutely no HIN to be found at all. There isn't even a scar where one used to be. We searched every inch of this large cuddy's transom except the...
  20. rs2k

    How do I title an untitled boat when I move to a state that requires titles?

    How do I transfer a boat with no title from a state that will not touch boat titles to a state that requires boat titles when I move? I don't think I can use a titling company because my state won't do the required follow up to get the title in my name. Does this mean my only option is to wait...
Top