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  1. tpenfield

    Vintage Mercury Cooling Issue

    Quick Update . . . I got the (melted) plastic seal replaced with the phenolic version and a new gasket. Also cleaned up some of the water passages. The powerhead is back on . . . Still more bits and pieces to assemble. I think I might try to run some water through the cooling system via the...
  2. tpenfield

    Humility

    Yes, and think about it . . if the Apollo mission had been further along when the service module O2 tank blew and the LEM had descended to the moon . . . they would have been stranded.
  3. tpenfield

    Humility

    Yup big numbers . . . IIRC from my younger days, typical orbiting velocity is about 16K mph and 'escape' velocity is upwards of 26K mph. Since the spacecraft ends up getting pulled in by the Moon's gravity, I'm not sure the craft needs to quite get to escape velocity. I just checked the...
  4. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    I am still getting things set up so the portable tables are just to get me by for a while. I do need a light, as I did have one when I was doing the seats last year. Not sure it made the trip from my summer house to home base :unsure: My plan is to spend money on the shop as I make profits...
  5. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    Now that the weather has gotten cold(er), I am mostly doing the IT Consulting and the Marine Upholstery work. . . . Working on my house exterior is pretty much on hold. I did install a new basement bulkhead on Monday. . I picked up the seating of a Chris Craft the other day . . . Some fairly...
  6. tpenfield

    Reattach cap to hull

    I know . . . :D . . . maybe that's why we don't see folks taking the cap off any of those boats. Of course on a re-build, assuming done right, maybe permanent is OK :unsure:
  7. tpenfield

    Checking for rot

    I would think you will find at least high levels of moisture, if not some areas of rot, in a 37 year old boat. Drill some 1/4" holes in the engine bay stringers , bulkhead and transom within 2" of the hull and see if you get water, mush, or dry wood. You could also drill just slightly through...
  8. tpenfield

    Reattach cap to hull

    The 4000UV or the 5000 would be fine IMO. I did find that on my swim platform project, the 4000UV shrunk up a bit after the first year and needed some re-chaulking. Of course the bond on a shoe-box joint would be different. Maybe . . . Plexus structural adhesive. I know that Formula boats...
  9. tpenfield

    do vintage Johnson red gas tank contain lead paint ?

    Welcome to iBoats . . . When you go boating, bring plenty of sammiches and snacks so the kids won't have to eat the paint flaking off the gas tank. :LOL: or . . . Prep and re-paint the tank with a fuel resistant paint. :unsure:
  10. tpenfield

    Mercury 9.8 No Water From Tell Tale

    I have a 7.5 HP Merc that has been giving me similar problems. Sounds like you have replaced the plastic/nylon seal at the base of the powerhead. If you unscrew the flush plug (which is next to the telltale) do you get water when running? If you unscrew the water jacket plug the the top of...
  11. tpenfield

    Humility

    I was glued to the TV on those days . . . Gemini, then Apollo. I had not kept track of the launch date for Artemis, since it was changed so many times. Woke up to find the new story online. Doubt I would have stayed up 'til 1AM to watch it though . . . way past my bed time :ROFLMAO:
  12. tpenfield

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    I think it is important to understand how boats are made, or how a boat that you are considering was made. Wood core structure? Foam Core? Foam compartments? Aluminum Fuel tank or plastic? Engine mounting? All these things would indicate what & where to look to see signs of problems...
  13. tpenfield

    Anchor

    So, you are bow in to part of the dock? How 'bout setting the boat in the slip far enough away to the portion of the dock that is touching the anchor? Use a couple of spring lines to keep the boat in place.
  14. tpenfield

    how hard would it be to ?

    How hard . . . ??? :unsure: Wicked hard o_O A lot depends on you and your skills. I agree that it may be easier to get a boat with a cuddy. Your boat does not look like it has enough space for a cuddy.
  15. tpenfield

    1977 Larson - Stern Drive 165HP Inline 6 Cylinder

    The fuel tank in most boats of this type are located in the center section of the hull just forward of the engine. Take a look in the ski locker to see if there is a removable hatch which should show the fuel tank below. Otherwise, look forward from the engine compartment to see if the fuel...
  16. tpenfield

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    'Old' anything in boating can be a money pit. Not exclusive to I/O engines.
  17. tpenfield

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Yup, maintenance is the key. . . My previous boat at 25 years old when I sold it had the original twin Mercruiser 454's with Bravo outdrives. 1,050 hours and still going strong. The new owner put another 150+ hours on it within a year (now 1,200 hours) and at 27 years old it is still going...
  18. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    A servo motor is about $125 and the swap-out is fairly easy. I swapped mine out and then added a larger pulley on the machine to slow the machine even more. It also provides more torque for punching through multiple layers of fabric/vinyl Keep in mind that power of the machine is one thing...
  19. tpenfield

    Old I/Os = Money Pits?

    Certainly a matter of how old and how well maintained. If you are price shopping, then you are probably buying problems, but it would be more than just the engine.
  20. tpenfield

    Whats your system for dockside mooring covers

    Like the other guys said . . . go for water-proofing the existing mooring covers, either through the application of a water-proofing product, or a re-make of the covers.
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