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  1. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I have done some re-configuring for the struts and structure on the underside of the swim platform. Moving the outside struts to the far edge of the platform seems to do the trick for one direction of turning of the outdrive . . . . . In order to provide enough tilt clearance, it looks like I...
  2. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Back to the drawing board . . . Based on Scott Danforth 's comments about the outdrive/strut interference, I did some checking on the Bravo drive spec's and applied them to the 3D model. The Bravo's can tilt up to a maximum of 51 degrees with no spacers, and about 40-45 degrees with spacers...
  3. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    More design work and images . . . I took a stab at the underneath structure and the strut supports, using my 3D software. Here are a few pictures. I was able to download a CAD file of the Bravo III outdrives for reference. It gives me a pretty good visual on how this thing is going to look...
  4. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Update: Since I have been changing the design of the swim platform 'on-the-fly', I went back to 'the drawing board' (in a virtual sense) and updated my design drawing. One concern I have is the number and positioning of grab rails associated with the ladders. Obviously, there is the one grab...
  5. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Sunday Update (11/18/2018) . . . I got the fiberglass on the swim platform plug today. It took a while to glass all the corners and angles, but it is done. Here are a few pics of the glassed plug . . . I colored the epoxy gray and added a filler to the epoxy to give it some body. . . . ...
  6. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Update: I made the inset sections for the swim ladders today, and will do some epoxy & glassing tomorrow . . . hopefully. Here are the inset sections cut into the stern portion of the platform . . . The ladder bracket portions will protrude out of the hatches slightly, so there will be...
  7. tpenfield

    Private Messaging Not Working?

    I tried sending a PM a few days ago, but it did not seem to go through. There was a message that the PM was sent, but it did not show up in my sent items. I tried several times throughout the day to re-send, etc. I thought it might have been that my mailbox was full or something like that...
  8. tpenfield

    980 hours on engines - compression test

    Good discussion on cams and valve timing . . . I am thinking to stay with OEM on the cam. I do have a question about the upper end of connecting rods . . . I see that some engine have a bushing/bearing for the wrist pin, while others do not. Here is the diagram for my engines . . . it looks...
  9. tpenfield

    980 hours on engines - compression test

    FWIW - I did some checking of Formula and Sea Ray boats for sale in the 1995 - 1998 model year range as to what the engine hours were. A few boats did not list the engine hours, so I assume they were on the high side. Most listings did indicate the hours and some had photos of the hour...
  10. tpenfield

    Tips for making a custom fiberglass swim platform?

    Interesting endeavor, which I can relate to. :) I would not use wood, because it will absorb moisture and tend to crack the fiberglass. You will be re-doing it after about 5 years. I'd also give the stern edge a bit of a curve, keeping it 24" from the current stern edge. It will look better...
  11. tpenfield

    980 hours on engines - compression test

    Here is a high performance street cam . . . it has about 75 Degrees of overlap. . . I'm not sure if there is a 'magic number' for valve overlap on a marine engine. :noidea: The High Performance Marine cam (above) has 49 degrees of overlap, whereas it looks like the stock Mercruiser cam has...
  12. tpenfield

    980 hours on engines - compression test

    Now if Scott can contain himself :) , here is one of the Comp Cam's(P/N 01-445-8) profile . . . Looks OK, minimal overlap.
  13. tpenfield

    980 hours on engines - compression test

    If I could get a slightly more aggressive camshaft as part of the rebuild, that might be OK. Here is what the cam profile looks like for the standard cam . . . No real possibility for reversion based on this cam . . .
  14. tpenfield

    Do I need a battery selector switch?

    Perko switch . . . get it here on iBoats. :thumb:
  15. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Yes, we have a ramp, but it needs to be attached to a ladder. When we use it, we continually have to attach and remove it, for people vs. dogs with our single ladder. Having 2 ladders on the ESP, we can dedicate one for the dog ramp.
  16. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I am planning on having 2 swim ladders. ( 1 for the people and 1 for the dog ladder :) ) I bought 2 fold-out swim ladders and will be making matching hatches to conceal them. Here they are below, laid out for sizing, etc. I will cut out hatches and then make a recessed mounting base for the...
  17. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Progress Update: It has been a few weeks (maybe more) since I have updated my thread. I have been working on & off (mostly off) on the swim platform 'plug'. I am using joint compound to fill in gaps and smooth out the surfaces. Here are a few pictures: . . Next steps are to do a final...
  18. tpenfield

    Heat Exchanger Inspection at Winterization Time . . .

    AllDodge I checked the operator's manual that I have in the document set that came with the boat. You're right - 330 HP :) I think the full inboard model is rated at 310HP (prop shaft) I am so excited to have the extra 20 HP !!! Still not sure why they call certain models "LX" though . . ...
  19. tpenfield

    Heat Exchanger Inspection at Winterization Time . . .

    Today was winterization day for my twin Mercruiser 7.4 LX MPI with Full Closed Cooling (never understood what the 'LX' was for . . .) Anyhow . . . I pumped out the gasoline (44 gallons) and mixed up about 7 gallons of 'fogging cocktail' and added it back to the tank. The rest of the gas goes to...
  20. tpenfield

    Bravo 3 transom kit question

    Here is a pretty severe case of Bravoitis . . . This is looking at the transom assembly from inside the engine compartment. The angle/barb fitting has been removed to expose the end of the inlet hose. As you can see the corrosion around the hose has crushed the hose and the insert sleeve to a...
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