Getting started on getting the 245 Explorer ready

[Blue Agave]

Well, the fuel tank is all clean!  You should have seen the nasty stuff that came out of that tank!  Price wasn't bad either and all the nasty fuel is gone.  Now I need a loan to go fill it up!  

If you don't mind, what that set you back?  Thanks!

[wingtime]

Ya'll have non-ethanol there B?

Yes I have a place right near by me.  That's all I use in my boats.

EDIT:
Here is a link to web site where you can find non ethanol gas:
http://pure-gas.org/

[wingtime]

Well, the fuel tank is all clean!  You should have seen the nasty stuff that came out of that tank!  Price wasn't bad either and all the nasty fuel is gone.  Now I need a loan to go fill it up!  

If you don't mind, what that set you back?  Thanks!

$186 Clams

[wingtime]

Picked up my "billfish" stickers from the sign shop today.  Even though it's raining outside I couldn't wait to see how they look on the boat.  As son as I got home I stuck this baby on there...  now for the Aqua porn:





They look better in real life than in the pics.  Must be the overcast nasty day outside!


I had a smaller set made up with the Aquasport logo under them.  Not sure where I'm going to stick these yet:

[Blue Agave]

Looks Awesome!

As far as the smaller one goes, how about on the back window of the truck?

[wingtime]

As far as the smaller one goes, how about on the back window of the truck?

Yeah one might end up there!  Heck I might get some more made up.  Maybe even some smaller ones to stick near the dash or something.

[seabob4]

They look great Bruce!  Just like the originals!  I always have liked that graphic...

[wingtime]

Did some work on the 245 Explorer today.  I cleaned out the Racor fuel filter bowl (nasty) and replaced the filter.  Installed a new fuel line and primer bulb.  Ran the motor sounds good.  I did a compression check 100 psi in all six cylinders. I changed the spark plugs while I was at it.  Drained the lower unit and refilled it.  The carbs still had the original stickers on them so I decided to pull them off for a cleaning.  

While I was running the motor I noticed the water pressure was 15 psi.  What is a normal pressure for a 225 at idle?  The gauge reads up to 60 psi which I doubt it will get that high.

[wingtime]

OK making progress on getting the 245 ready for the pre-spring Tampa bay gathering.

I took my time and disassembled and cleaned the carbs on the 225 today.  Even thought it looks like the carbs have ever been apart for a cleaning before they were actually pretty clean.  I did find a stuck needle in one of them.  Overall they were easy to work on.  Just tedious.  I replaced some fuel lines and was able to get them back on before I ran out of daylight.  Here's a pic and some videos of the motor running.



Motor running:
http://youtu.be/6LwtNQTbIuk

Video of starting and running the motor.  Notice the nice strong "Wee Wee" stream.  

http://youtu.be/6LwtNQTbIuk

[Circle Hooked]

Looks like she's running great  

[wingtime]

Spent the day working on getting Reel Crazy ready for the pre-spring gathering.  Even though the motor seemed to be pumping water pretty good I had no idea how old the water pump is.  So I dropped the lower unit today to get a look.  There was traces of grease on the bolts so someone had been in there in the not so distant past.   The pump housing and impeller looked pretty good but I went ahead and replaced it.  I pulled the prop and greased the shaft and reinstalled it.  I wet sanded the port side cap and gunwale.  My friend John buffed most of the cap today and the gel is shining up well.   There was two loose bolts in the swim ladder.  so I removed them and repaired the holes with marinetex.  If the weather permits I'm going to take her out on the lake for shake down ride.

[gran398]

Great stuff...Wish I could be there to see your new girl next weekend

[seabob4]

Bruce, the carbs look great, she sounds ready...

2 interesting things to note.  First, see how the engine rigging tube enters the lower pan?  We used to chuck the POS grommet that came with OMCs as far as we could, then use that strap held in place with (2) 1/4-28 machine screws and clamp down over the rigging hose, doing away with that BS grommet.  Learned that trick from my old buddy Tony Fernandez.  You can even do that with the new Etecs, they have the same strap.

Second.  See that anchor light base to starboard of the motor on top of the transom?  That tells me the Hardtop was not a factory install, or at least the top was added to a yard boat as an option to sell her.  When an order came down the line, and the boat got a top, the stern mounted anchor light base was deleted, and we simply tied up the wiring up and out of the way...

Bruce, can't wait to see her, she sounds great!    

[wingtime]

Bob,  As usual you have a good eye.  I did notice the anchor light base on the transom.  I was trying to figure what I could mount in it's place.  The strap holding the rigging tube seems nice and solid.  As you know I have looked at a few 245 Explorers and my top is identical to several others I have seen.  In my owners packet is a 1998 model catalog with all the options this boat has checked off in it.  Now if that was done when it was bought or afterwords I have no idea.  But I agree with your summation that the boat wasn't built with the top on it.  Maybe it was added later either at the factory or at the dealer.  I can tell you the top MAKES the boat.



Scott,   come on down man I'm sure we can find room for ya!

[seabob4]

Bruce, you know what we used to do?  Install a starboard cutting board on the transom top to cover the whole!