Conference vicki::boats

    
    	Gee, I forgot the last line for the base note;;;;
    
    	What's you Winter Project list look like?
    
    

    Does anybody know how "1000 hours" relates to auto engine "miles"?
    If they recommend a timing chain replacement, I would probably do it.
    Having one let go can cause major damage that a relatively inexpensive
    chain and set of gears can prevent.  You will probably need to pull the
    engine to do it, though, or you may never get the oil pan gasket to
    seat correctly (assuming the 351 you have is like most other engines
    which require dropping the oil pan to remove the timing chain cover.
    While you're at it, you might as well drop in a hotter cam.  They don't
    cost much more than $100.  A good motor shop could do the work in a
    day.  The better cam companies have "tech hot lines" and could give you
    advise on what would work best with your style of boat usage.
    
    Wayne (who has his own list of things to do in his head but knows he
    won't do them because of the two week old baby at home sucking up all
    his spare time.  At least I can help other's spend their money!)

    i recall reading:  (if i could remember where) that 1000 hrs is
    
    equivalent to 30000 miles.  however, boat engines in my opinion
    
    see a little more duty than autos. so the equivalency becomes
    
    somewhat negligible.  for a margin i would suggest doubling the 
    
    above estimate.  say 60k miles.  does this now mean changing the
    
    the timing chain etc.   i don't know.  seems like a lot to do
    
    for the sake of p.m.  but if its recommended, its up to you.
    
    
    JIm

    
      I think there's a string about hours and wear on engines, though for
    a cam, I doubt the fact the engine is working hard is noticed, except
    for the more quickly degraded oil.
    
      I'd say at 1000 hours its not a bad idea to change the cam chain and
    BOTH gears. But putting in a new cam is a LOT more work than changing
    chain and gears alone. If its a V-anything, the intake manifold has to
    be pulled, the valve covers removed, all the rocker arms removed, all
    the pushrods, lifters and the distributor. THEN you can remove and 
    reinstall the cam.
    
      Oh, and I've changed cam gears and chains several times in boats
    without removing the engine or oil pan. In fact, there are gasket sets
    made specifically for that type of job. As long as you have reasonable
    front access, it should be ok to do.
    
    				Kenny

    Engines with nylon (??) timing chains require replacement after 50K
    miles or at least it's recommended.  I would assume that this engine
    has a steel timing chain/gears and should at least double that.  I
    wasn't implying that the cam would be worn out, just trying to spend
    Rick's money to find out if a cam would give him much more performance.
    I don't want to waste my time and money if it's not worth it. (-:
    I also forgot one needs to pull the heads and intake manifold to get to
    the cam on a Ford.
    Wayne

    And my winter list is:
    
    Build a steering station replacement to house new instrumentation, new
    electronics, and the video monitor to show the charts from a chart
    program running on my laptop.
    
    Fiberglass the aft deck and lay down new teak
    
    Replace the sanitary hoses to/from the Sanitary tank
    
    Build an overhead console for other electronic stuff
    
    Install trim tabs
    
    Re-pitch props
    
    Add fuel/water separators
    
    Add rudder angle indicator 
    
    Now if I can only get the fleet admiral's permission to spend the time
    on my second love.
    
    Dennis

    My list so far is:
    
    New head  (the better half liked the push button one on a boat
    			show boat)
    
    Radar     (Boat show special)
    
    Radar mast
    
    New Flybridge cover
    
    Reading lights in the vee berth.  
    
    Permately install microwave.  
    
    New Bruce anchor and rode
    
    The list can get longer but the checkbook is short.
    
    KC
    
    

    A quick rule I use to equate hours to miles is.  Av car speed of 50 mph
    so 1k hours is 50k miles.  So 2k hours is not impossible.  Just
    unlikely due to rust.  
    
    KC
    

    On a normal boat that is probably a good way to do a comparison but I
    bet Rick runs his ski boat at RPM's that would be more in the 75-90
    MPH range much of the time.  (Unless he falls alot then it would be
    idle-90MPH-idle-90MPH-idle-90MPH-idle.  I'm not sure which speed is
    dominant never having seen Rick ski :-)  A car running constantly at
    50MPH would probably last forever.  A boat motor doing the above is
    taking a beating.
    Wayne

    
    Hmmmm "Normal" boat.... Actually, I think I tend to baby my motor
    compared to many that I see in use.... I strictly adhere to the
    owner's manual that says "Red line is 4400 RPMs, only run wide open
    for short periods of time". This translates, for me, to 1 quick
    barefoot run or a mere few seconds of cruising at WOT, then right
    back down to 3600 rpms or less.... Slalom rpms, where the motor
    spends most of it's time (when not at idle), range from 3000 to 3600.
    
    I believe I've witnessed a majority of boats that run at WOT whenever
    they're in forward gear. <ouch>.... As for comparison to highway 
    speeds, I guess this depends upon the gearing of the highway vehicle.
    Although, 3000-3600 RPMs in my 4 speed auto Dakota is pretty damn fast,
    cuz 2300 rpms is 75 MPH!
    
    Rick

    Another factor is that a marine engine tends to run at relatively 
    constant RPM compared to an automobile which is more likely to vary
    its speed constantly.  A marine engines life is a hard one...
    especially those that are 'always' run at WOT.
    
    Jeff