Reliability

[FreeBeeTony]

I believe the key word in a marine word is reliability!

Today I ventured ~20mi offshore in my 24' Grady.
I am by nature a very cautious person. It has taken me quite sometime to do this, especially since I had the engine out of this boat and taken apart in my driveway last fall. As some of you might remember, it was quite a struggle, but this year I finally got it right.

I am always listening to the engine to make sure it doesn't sound any different, constantly watching the gauges, etc......My kids call me a "worry-wart".

I tell my family that boating is very different than driving a car. If you have engine trouble in a car, you can pull over and call for a tow truck. Yeah, you can call Tow Boat US, but I would'nt want to be stranded in the ocean with a storm coming..........

Anyway, this trip has given me confidence in my set-up.
It is running strong...........good response from the throttle. Runs 30MPH @ 3600RPM, 170* and 50# of oil pressure (in somewhat of a choppy sea). Coming into the inlet this afternoon I was able to navigate my way through the pack cautiously and safely then hit the throttle and leave them behind!

Just thought I would let those of you who helped me during my struggle know that things are going well and hope things are going well for you also.

I read posts on this forum everyday. If it wasn't for this forum I probably wouldn't have what I have today.

 

[Don S]

Re: Reliability

I'm glad your engine is running great, and I'm also glad you went back to your normal name
Funning thing is, I was thinking about your problem the other day when reading another post. And something finally sunk in (for me anyway)
You had a problem with a tight valve, it changed cylinders when you did all your engine work. Therefore, you must have moved the lifters to different holes.
The problem as I see it was the lifter collapsed. Then, when adjusted by the book, it held the valve open. When you backed it off, all it did is allow your lifter to act like a solid lifter. Had you backed it off a little more, it would probably rattle because it's too loose.
All your problems because the previous owner or a mechanic he used, adjusted the valves to spec and didn't understand what happened.
Did that to an old 65 Pontiac 326 a zillion years ago. Ran it for an additional 50,000 miles before I traded it, never had a problem with it. But it still had a collapsed lifter.
Sorry, got off track of your post. Like I said. Glad you got it working and can trust it.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Reliability

Hey Don.........

I didn't remove the lifters when I did the engine work, although looking back I wish I had replaced them!

I think the original problem was a bad head gasket, then, when I put it back together and tighten the valves by the book I may have collapsed a lifter. (Still may be collapsed, I have a very slight knock, really have to listen for it.).

Anyway it is running great!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Reliability

glad to hear yer havein a good summer fbt and ya got yer problem repaired, way cool.... i like this name better too......

 

[Bondo]

Re: Reliability

All Right Tony,.................

20 Miles Out,.............. With Confidence,............

I'm More than alittle Glad to hear that,................

Last year was abit of a Struggle,..... It had Me Totally Baffled.......

What are we going to build for it This year,..??......

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Reliability

Nice to hear all is back on tract in your boating world. Ya got to love it when a project turns out well through all the ups and downs. As far as reliability in the marine world, I can not imagine setting off on any length trip with a question in my mind about the ability to return safely......Oh yah and the return to FreeBee Tony, great move.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Reliability

Yes it was a struggle..........but that's behind me (us) now.

As far as projects for this year........would like to install a bow pulpit and anchor windlass and a new depth/fishfinder. But that will be in the fall/winter. Gonna leave it in as long as possible!

Hey Ziggy........how did you make out with your IL6?

 

[KaGee]

Re: Reliability

Spot on Tony! Feels good, don't it?

My last time out... 14 miles by GPS plus trolling.
Bet ya didn't know you could go out that far on the Great Lakes! 8)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Reliability

Spot on Tony! Feels good, don't it?

My last time out... 14 miles by GPS plus trolling.
Bet ya didn't know you could go out that far on the Great Lakes! 8)

14 Miles,..??...??.......

I got to run That Far to get to the other side of the barrier Islands,.......
My personal Best,..... Was Salmon fishing Out below the Islands,....
Don't know the mileage,....
But, the Islands were Out of Sight for a Loonnngggg Time........
Though I've Still not ventured Far enough to See the South Shore,........ Yet.............

It's Got to be Atleast 200 Miles from My House to Your boat launch,.........
Not that Myself Or My Boats are Up to that sort of thing,...............

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Reliability

I didn't know lakes were that big!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Reliability

lakes get large, we used to watch the michigan shoreline from the Radar traing site at NTC great lakes, memory says its about 70 miles across at that point.