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The Heat Is On
by
Steve Horsfall
I have a 1988, 2655 Bayliner Cierra powered
by a 5.7L OMC with a Cobra drive that was rebuilt two years
ago. The boat ran flawlessly until the later half of last
year's boating season. I was in a shallow bay and the drive
was up the entire day. I lowered it to return to port and
the engine began to overheat. Other Bayliner owners told me
that if this happens, simply rev the engine and it will cool
down. I was also told this an intermittent or isolated problem.
While this did work, the engine now overheats
every time I start it. I now have to rev to approximately
3,000 rpm so it will cool it down.
I can idle or run for the day without a problem.
However, if I turn off the engine and leave it for more than
five or six minutes before restarting, it will overheat and
I have to go through the whole procedure again.
I have checked the water pump pulley and replaced
the thermostat and still have the same problem. I also purchased
a new impeller and housing (the old one looked fine). There
doesn't appear to be any blockage of the intake and the screens
are not damaged.
Other than replacing the impeller and housing,
is there anything else I can do (or is there something I have
missed?) before the boat goes in the water this season? Your
advice will be greatly appreciated.
J. Robin (e-mail)
The water pump and housing you need to
replace is the one in the upper half of the sterndrive. There
is a circulating pump on the engine, but it rarely fails.
However, the one on the drive is susceptible to fail, especially
after the drive has been tilted up.
The reason for this is because the Cobra
drive pump is mounted fairly high on the drive. With some
boats, it's even above the waterline. This means the pump
runs in air (loses its prime) for a little while on startup.
The rubber impeller is water lubricated and air causes severe
wear in a matter of seconds. If you replace the pump impeller
and housing in the drive, and make sure the drive is fully
down before you start the engine, it should work fine. Never
run the engine out of the water. (Top)
MATERIAL WORLD
I am doing minor restoration to my 1987 Doral Citation. However,
I can't seem to find the material the builder used for the
rollaway cupboard doors in the galley and storage compartments
around the cockpit area. I am not sure what the actual name
of the material is, except it looks like some kind of roll-top
veneer. I have asked around to different boat suppliers, but
I haven't had any luck.
I'm hoping you can offer me some insight to
save me anymore frustration and disappointment.
B. Ellery (e-mail)
The material you are looking for is available
from Lee Valley Tools. It's offered in flush-fit cherry or
grooved red oak. The cherry comes in sheets measuring 48 x
37-5/8 inches and costs $149.00. The red oak is available
in 43 x 35-3/8-inch sheets and sells for $165.00. The red
oak looks closest to the original with grooves between each
strip. The part number is 03A1201 for the cherry and 03A1301
for the red oak.
You can order on-line at www.leevalley.com
or contact them toll free at 1-800-267-8767. Lee Valley has
warehouse stores in most major cities across Canada, but their
head office is in Ottawa. (Top)
DRIVEN TO CONCERN
Can you tell me the difference between outdrives and inboard
shaft drives on a 34-foot boat? I'm looking at purchasing
a 34-foot ThunderCraft, and it's equipped with outdrives.
Is there a difference in handling? Should I be concerned?
C. Jamax (e-mail)
While shaft drive units tend to be more
responsive to gearshift steering, which turns the boat on
its axis by placing one engine in forward and the other in
reverse, twin outdrive units usually handle better when they
are operated as a single unit.
For instance, with a single sterndrive,
you can maneuver the boat by using the gearshift and the steering
wheel. In twin configuration, both gear-shifts are operated
simultaneously as one unit - just turn the steering wheel
in the direction you want to go.
One main advantage of the sterndrive is
its ability to run in shallow water. Another benefit is you
can also use trim tabs, although the latter can be achieved
with a shaft drive that incorporates trim tabs.
(Got
a question, a problem, or do you need some info on elusive
engine or boating equipment? Drop me a line c/o Power Boating
Canada, fax me at (613) 236-0700 or e-mail:
stephen.horsfall@sympatico.ca) (Top)
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