Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Hi Joe,
Welcome to the drydock and Thanks for your service!

I would like to come aboard watch, learn, cheer and help if I can...

Looks like you have a super project on hand...

Sorry to hear about the Mrs. Boat engine, but I'm sure you'll have that all worked out in time...

One of the biggest things I hear from all of my close boat buddies is that a boat is one of those things you have to use and maintain feverishly to prevent having problems with...They don't like to sit and be neglected...

Unfortunately your much appreciated service to our country keeps that from happening...

From what I have read so far, you are fairly close to retirement...but in the time you have left, you need to hook up with a trusted compadre to look after your rigs while you are deployed, to prevent all the hard work and money you are about to put into both of your boats from going to waste...

Forgive me for being forward, but I would hate to see you get both of these wonderful boats put back to like new condition, and have them start to deteriorate on you while on your next deployment...

Hey, I've rambled on and made a nuisance of myself long enough...

Best Regards and Safe Sailing,
GT1M

GT, you are soooo right. Boats (and engines) break when you use them and break when you don't.

Sea ya...

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

GT, you are soooo right. Boats (and engines) break when you use them and break when you don't.

Sea ya...

Yeah I see that now...

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Hi Joe,
Welcome to the drydock and Thanks for your service!

I would like to come aboard watch, learn, cheer and help if I can...

Looks like you have a super project on hand...

Sorry to hear about the Mrs. Boat engine, but I'm sure you'll have that all worked out in time...

One of the biggest things I hear from all of my close boat buddies is that a boat is one of those things you have to use and maintain feverishly to prevent having problems with...They don't like to sit and be neglected...

Unfortunately your much appreciated service to our country keeps that from happening...

From what I have read so far, you are fairly close to retirement...but in the time you have left, you need to hook up with a trusted compadre to look after your rigs while you are deployed, to prevent all the hard work and money you are about to put into both of your boats from going to waste...

Forgive me for being forward, but I would hate to see you get both of these wonderful boats put back to like new condition, and have them start to deteriorate on you while on your next deployment...

Hey, I've rambled on and made a nuisance of myself long enough...

Best Regards and Safe Sailing,
GT1M

Nah there are no more deployments for me in my career. I am going to Mississippi to work with SWCC and SEALs as support for their boat the SOC-R. Twin 900 HP Diesel jet drive boats. I am a professional welder and will be keeping them up and patching the holes they put in them running the Pearl River. I am good with that. I have less than 6 years left and look forward to the next few years it is considered sea duty lucky me so that means my last 2.5 years is shore duty unless I decide to continue on but right now I am ready to hang it up and let the younger crowd have at it. Not the same Navy I joined over 20 years ago. I will enjoy beinghome for the next 6 years every night and working on my boats, the navy boats and just plain family time that I have been missing the last 10 years. The Admiral and my crew of girls are ready for daddy to be home for a while.
I will get at the boat if not tomorrow then all day on sunday. I have to pick up the tires in the am and go to the shop for parts fabrication for the jack and then installation of everything I got in today. Oh yeah new key switch to install so I will be very busy on sunday with bearing checks and parts replacement and I figured out I do not have time to convert trailer from roller to bunk boards maybe later but I have to adjust the rollers some and if they are in the right place then I will not convert yet!///... Thanks for the support and workds of encouragement. Stick around it is going to be a long ride. LOL
But I keep getting told new freezer july 19th and it has to be full of shrimp, mahi and tuna by the end of july...LOL good for me not so good for the fishes

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Well got a couple things checked off the list the last couple days. Yeas it took me days to change the tires, brakes and bearings. Let me explained the prolonged PITA change. I took a 3 ton floor jack and was sure it would lift it high enough to do what I needed to do NOPE"!!!! So I go and pick up my friends 20 ton bottle jacks. They lifted with no problem but they were really old and the seals wouldmnotnhold them. So the admiral takes me an buys 2 12 ton jacks one for back up just in case. Finally get it off the ground and all four sets of brakes were locked solid. Got those off, new tires and rims on and she is sitting pretty. Yes a huge PITA but well worth it. Now that I can move it next time I do the brakes the boat WILL be in the water. With that done I got the electric winch installed so tomorrow I have to weld the new tongue jack welded on and the new LED trailer lights put on I think it will be ready for the long haul on Friday. Heading out to Mississippi and looking forward to getting "Almost Ready" wet and out into the gulf for some fishing... and of course working on her and getting her all cleaned and upgraded.... So looking for the challenge!!!!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Sounds like good progress, hope you get to start filling up the freezer with a bountiful catch!

Have a Great Fourth of July and a safe trip.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Glad to hear things are going your way with the Navy career (family and being paid to be around boats). Sorry to hear the Navy has changed, but so has everything else. I long for he good old days.

Sea ya...

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

All the work on the trailer was so worthwhile. 1086 miles from va to Picayune Ms with no issues at all. Well I need to replace a tire that was low on the trip but nothing major and safe and sound parked in the driveway. Hard to believe it weighs 7600 pounds and pulled down the highway like a 18 foot boat.,was considering a new trailer but after that pull I think that a few upgrades and a paint job and it will pull for many miles to come. Gotta get to checking out the engine his week but have some unpacking first so won't be long now best part is thatbitbis home with me.

 

[BigLee324]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

glad you had a safe trip, have fun with the unpacking, looking foward to more boat work.

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

everything so far seems to be going pretty good other than the heat. I actually have "Almost Ready" sitting in my yard and I only have about two hours a day that is bearable to actually do anything. I have started working on claeining the hull up. So far I have the original sticers off the starboard side and working my way arounf to port. I am going to jump into the engine compartment and re-wire everything on the engine to start with and then work on the rest of the wiring on the boat. I started another thread asking for a wiring diagram for the engine so if anyone here reads this and has access to a wiring diagram for a non efi chevy 350 (mercruiser) pass that along to me thanks

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Ok well have or had the chance to do much to her lately other than an occasional hit with the sander and sandpaper but is starting to come around nicely. There is a auto paint store here I town and they have all kind of cool gadgets to work the gel coat back toa luster but man they are pretty expensive. I am getting decent results with the 1000 grit and they have two liquids there that I am going to try they said one is a finer grit to use and the other is a type of wax. Will,have to see what happens. The weather is staring to turn cooler for me so I can get out and get some of the wiring done. I am still trying to get a diagram and trying to find a non-EFI harness.
I ordered new wswitch panel to wire in soon I spent about 300 at bass pro online for some duff and have not even bout any fishing stuff yet. That is to come though I am certain of it.
One thing that I am actively working onis the new engine cover. Get this.... Since I run a full welding shop with all kinds of cool equpiment that I know how to use I am taking full advantage if it. I am almost finished with my new cover. I have designed it and am I the welding stages right now. I have made it thus far out of 1/8th inch aluminum diamond plated and it is looking some kind of good. I will post pics after I get it all welded up waiting to insulate it with something I have yet to find what yet but at least I am getting something done with it. I am considering doing both of the installed long rod holders out of the same thing but will see how it turns out. We have a water jet laser in the shop that I am making the back plate for and also if I do the rod holders willmdomthe same thing there. Well that is about all and. Wll get some pics up as soon as I have it all done

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Well not to sure how any people are reading this thread but I got the engine cover complete today..Well I got the fabrication part done still have to get the insulation mat to sound proof it but I think it looks pretty good and it is actually a little lighter than the wooden POS that is there right now. I still have to cut out the frame to mount to the backwall and I will be taking one of the gunnel mounted rod holders out tonight to take measurements and take it to work to get those fabricated. and then install them after I get to work on the gel coat inside the boat. My son is graduating from USMC boot camp next week and he will be here in Mississippi with me for a couple weeks so I think whil Iam at work he will be doing some sanding and polishing so that will put me a little further ahead of what I am aiming to get done. Let me know what you think about the new engine cover I will get more pics of it and get them posted as soon as I install it with the backing plate.

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Looks like or at least feels like fall is in the air. With daughters soccer and work do not have much time but luckily we get a 13 day period in Jan that there is no soccer but I have been working on Almost READY ON AND OFF AS THE CHANCE ARISES. Got the entire outsie hull sanded down with 400-600 grit on the Orbital and pulled all the hardware from the fishing deck. On side of that sanded down but not coming out like I was hoping it would. I am almost to the point of either having it done or put some good paint all around her.
Today I got out and started working on the wiring issues trying to figure out the rats nest of wires and such and getting rid of the woring from the original EFI. I have no plans ot change it back anytime soon. I inspected the underside of the engie and it looks as though I am going to need a new starter, mech fuel pump and ods and ends but I told the admiral today that in four weeks it will be up and running to plan on a thanksgiving trip out to either shipp or cat island after lunch to see if we can get some shark fishing in. Since we have moved to the deep south of mississippi we eat lots of seafood. I am not complaining but man I gotta get in the water soon I am going stir crazy looking at the boat sit there....LOL but I will keep at it and should have the rod inserts complete this week at work bc next week have to drive the big rig up to WV to pick up two new suburbans for the command I am at so get my short break away so in eccense that only gives me trhee weeks to get Almost Ready up and running wish me luck....:facepalm:

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Let's see today I got to get some much needed work done to almost ready...pulled the exhaust manifolds and will be taking them to the shop for sand lasting and new coat of paint. Pulled all the old plugs and they were pretty bad looking so got those to put back in tomorrow or Monday. Took the starter off and took it to the shop for testing and walked out with a replacement. Since the engine is pretty much open for inspection I wsas checking the wiring and found the main starter cable burned almost in two and the battery switch was damaged by heat. I have new switch to install already since it was on my list of things to do. Now I have to replace the starter cable and some other odds and ends on the electrical side. Have new buss bar and other stuff to wire up. Brand new stereo, UHF radio, new switch block so I can add some cool lights later. It is coming together pretty good I am hoping to get to attempt to start it up by Friday. I took the week off work to spend some quality time on it. I guess the best news from all of this is after two years of sitting the engine held p very well and I am certain no major mechanical issues to worry about. Thinking about replacing all the gaskets and get it tore down to the heads and inspect it all before putting back together..trying to be safe than sorrynreallyndo pt want to get stranded our in the gulf for any reason. Also got two new batteries to install one is charging up,now for the test later this week. And a key find at work is a almost brand new guest 30 amp installed charger. They were stripping a boat down to send to the dump and let me get a few things off before they scrap it. Should be getting a new to me furuno screen from another scrap oat will have to see what happens. That is about it for now..

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

I'm still tagging along and catching up...

Congrats on your son's upcoming graduation. My thoughts and prayers are with him and all our service members for a safe and successful return from their deployments.

That engine cover looks fantastic...the only question or concern I have, is this...out in the HOT summer sun that beauty is going to get hot enough to cook on...I would hate to cover up such a nice piece of craftsmanship, but are you making any plans to add some kind of cushions or covering over it...

Best of luck on getting the engine and wiring tidied up...

And, did you pull the trigger on the truck?

L8r,
GT

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

I am planning on making a seat cover for the top and yes I can only imagine how hot it will be. Makes for a great reflector for the wife to get bronzed all around..lol have not got the truck yet I tow it around the yard with my Land Rover but my daughter gets her license in feb so have to do something then.

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Great news after sitting up for over two years I finally got the nerve to pull the trigger and turn it over. I pulled all the plugs replaced the distributor cap,and rotor, new wires and plugs but before I install the new plugs and fire her ip I figured would be wise investment to turn it over by hand and make sure that it was not frozen. First through 20 attempt could not get her to budge so I took off the out drive just I case it was in gear and then tried a few more times still oohing some pulled all the belts off and now I find I need to rebuild my salt water pump but that is ok I would replace it anyway with the time it sat up.got all that off and gave a few shot of WD-40 in each cylinder and gave a few more tugs and after busting my knuckles on one or more occasion it turned over pretty good. That got me all kind of excited so I installed the new starter I bought the other day along with the new wiring I made up and hooked the battery up......pushed the button and the starter just clicked so I googled bench test for starters and it gave me a you tube video and I did not have it wired right....ha ha :facepalm: now I got it hooked it up right and pushed the button and wow for the first time in over two years the engine turned over effortlessly...I am almost ready to jump for joy....
So tomorrow I have to actually set the timing and get my distributor wiring set right and see if I can get her fired up! I am all grins now that the engine is working out pretty good and that was my biggest fear. Have to do some cleanup on the out drive the u-joints are a little rusty and need some care along with a couple of the bellows that have dry rotted and need new but that is small stif....
Luckily I did pull outdrive. In one of the bellows I found 4 flat pieces of metal and am not sure what they are but I will take pics tomorrow and post them up here to see if anyone know whee they came from...

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Good morning sir,
I haven't been on here in a while but it looks like your coming along nicely. Glad to hear you got her turned over.
Smooth sailing to you.

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

Good morning sir,
I haven't been on here in a while but it looks like your coming along nicely. Glad to hear you got her turned over.
Smooth sailing to you.

Thanks it is coming along nicely ESP with 65 degrees outside and took some time off work for to see what I could get done. Got the timing close today followed the directions in a post by Don just tring to get some wire cleanup done as well,as the bilge clean and all my lost tools and bolts found now im at a point of what next. Not in a big hurry to put the exhaust manifolds back on it seems easier to work with them out of the way. At least for now I am going to go put in the new coil and turn it over a few times to see what she will do. Now that the fear of the engine being froze gone I am not reluctant to turn it over.msending the wife to the store to pick up new belts for it and I think I will take the alternator to advance to have it checked since its so easy to get to. I did ot ice a few of the sending units or at least connection for the oil temp, and pressure look a little ovr due for replacement so I wil order them tonight along with a few other things just to have a better piece of mind. My raw water pump seems difficult to turn so I would like input on whether I should get a rebuild kit or a new one so any idea wold be great. That's aoutside it for own heading back out to tackle more.

 

[lil buggy]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

I suggest atleast a new impeller and possibly the rebuild kit. That adds a good "piece of mind" going forward, but it's also just my opinion.

im not sure that advance has the capabilities to bench test your alt,, I take all my electrical a to a small shop in town that does a great job for me.

hope it helps
good luck on the wiring

 

[joelewis73]

Re: Restoration project start 1990 chris craft 254 seahawk

So far the wiring is going great. Anything that was spliced by the PO is now new and getting rid of all the not used connections from when it was EFI. One thing for certain after getting rid of all the loose ends just hanging there the engine compartment is definitely looking better.
I bought my new starter from a local auto electrical sh so I will,take them the alternator which should do the trick. I am going to do the pump and I have a spare on my other boat that I will keep in a underway kit I am putting together for spare parts for my piece of mind.
I have to replace the bellows since the one looks pinched and loose along with the shifter bellows is broke I found a kit with all of them will have to add that to my list of things to order. Hoping that Santa brings me some extra money to put towards my repairs...lol