onesubdrvr
11-23-2004, 08:54 PM
Well,
I ran into yet another problem with my Ragazza the other day, and have never felt like putting an end to it all as much as I do right now!!!! I meah AGGGGHHHHH. I HAVE LOST MUCH FAITH IN MAN KIND, AND AM FRUSTRATED BEYOND BELIEF!!! I traded my old pick-up truck and totaled boat with good engine (1979 Century) for this boat - asking price comparison was an even trade. The hull of the boat is in good condition, stringers solid, 2 soft spots in the deck, and the motor box was rotted (all things I knew I could fix as I had to do them on the Century). Anyway, after several discussions with this gentleman (for lack of another postable term) All that was needed on the engine was a carb rebuild / tune up from sitting, and judging from the condition of the rest of the boat, I was compelled to believe him (shame on me), so completed the deal. My first project was to tear up the carpet, repair the deck, clean the carpet, re-install. I also rebuilt the engine box, and all wood structures for all of the cushions aft. I then set them aside for getting ready to install after tuning up the engine. I then conciously hooked up the cooling water (from the garden hose) to the outdrive and attempted to start it. Dead battery (to be expected), new battery. Next attempt at starting, fired right up, as I'm letting it idle for a little while and making my inspections, I notice a large amount of water leakig from the port side, the freeze plug behind the port motor mount had become dislodged! Not to worry, easy fix,...... Started it up again, let it idle for a while, then apply throttle, unit stalls and dies,... ok, once again from sitting, probable carb malfunction,.... no problem, purchase carb kit,....now it gets fun. Before wrapping it up, I notice a 2nd leak this time from the starboard side, head to block,... no crack was noted, OK, not my favorite job, but mine as well go ahead and replace that pesky head gasket. Well, I get the parts and tear down into the job,.....here is where I get depressed. Upon pulling the head off I realize that it was not the gasket, but rather the head itself was cracked,.... OK, a set of rebuilt heads $300.00 or so OK, I'll suck it up,...but wait, now I've got the intake manifold off and what do I see? BOTH SIDES OF THE WATER JACKETS INTO THE INTAKE ARE CRACKED, I'm surprised this engine ran at all,.. did I say AGGGGHHHH!?
Anyway, so here I am with a solid hull, solid deck, solid seats, OK carpet, but no putt putt. To top it off, we are having a house built, so I'm unwilling to play games with debt to income / etc. until after moving into the new house (or else I've seen a z-22 and Donzigo Jr's 22 Classic, and a couple of others that I would rather hop into), unfortunately, house completion won't be for 9 more months. Also, unfortunately, the boat and all repairs are out of my allowance if you will, keep in mind that with a family of 4 young girls, plus momma, my allowance doesn't stretch very far. I am at a loss of what to do,... any suggestions, should I just give up, does anyone have a 4.3l engine they would be willing to sell me at a steal?:crossfing
Let me clarify that I know that some things aren't noticable to everyone, and he truly may not have know about the problems, but I have a sneaking suspicion. And once again, shame on me for not running it there, or having it PROFESSIONALLY surveyed, but do I need be punished like this?
Currently, Eternally depressed, http://www.donzi.net/ubb/frown.gif
Wayne
I ran into yet another problem with my Ragazza the other day, and have never felt like putting an end to it all as much as I do right now!!!! I meah AGGGGHHHHH. I HAVE LOST MUCH FAITH IN MAN KIND, AND AM FRUSTRATED BEYOND BELIEF!!! I traded my old pick-up truck and totaled boat with good engine (1979 Century) for this boat - asking price comparison was an even trade. The hull of the boat is in good condition, stringers solid, 2 soft spots in the deck, and the motor box was rotted (all things I knew I could fix as I had to do them on the Century). Anyway, after several discussions with this gentleman (for lack of another postable term) All that was needed on the engine was a carb rebuild / tune up from sitting, and judging from the condition of the rest of the boat, I was compelled to believe him (shame on me), so completed the deal. My first project was to tear up the carpet, repair the deck, clean the carpet, re-install. I also rebuilt the engine box, and all wood structures for all of the cushions aft. I then set them aside for getting ready to install after tuning up the engine. I then conciously hooked up the cooling water (from the garden hose) to the outdrive and attempted to start it. Dead battery (to be expected), new battery. Next attempt at starting, fired right up, as I'm letting it idle for a little while and making my inspections, I notice a large amount of water leakig from the port side, the freeze plug behind the port motor mount had become dislodged! Not to worry, easy fix,...... Started it up again, let it idle for a while, then apply throttle, unit stalls and dies,... ok, once again from sitting, probable carb malfunction,.... no problem, purchase carb kit,....now it gets fun. Before wrapping it up, I notice a 2nd leak this time from the starboard side, head to block,... no crack was noted, OK, not my favorite job, but mine as well go ahead and replace that pesky head gasket. Well, I get the parts and tear down into the job,.....here is where I get depressed. Upon pulling the head off I realize that it was not the gasket, but rather the head itself was cracked,.... OK, a set of rebuilt heads $300.00 or so OK, I'll suck it up,...but wait, now I've got the intake manifold off and what do I see? BOTH SIDES OF THE WATER JACKETS INTO THE INTAKE ARE CRACKED, I'm surprised this engine ran at all,.. did I say AGGGGHHHH!?
Anyway, so here I am with a solid hull, solid deck, solid seats, OK carpet, but no putt putt. To top it off, we are having a house built, so I'm unwilling to play games with debt to income / etc. until after moving into the new house (or else I've seen a z-22 and Donzigo Jr's 22 Classic, and a couple of others that I would rather hop into), unfortunately, house completion won't be for 9 more months. Also, unfortunately, the boat and all repairs are out of my allowance if you will, keep in mind that with a family of 4 young girls, plus momma, my allowance doesn't stretch very far. I am at a loss of what to do,... any suggestions, should I just give up, does anyone have a 4.3l engine they would be willing to sell me at a steal?:crossfing
Let me clarify that I know that some things aren't noticable to everyone, and he truly may not have know about the problems, but I have a sneaking suspicion. And once again, shame on me for not running it there, or having it PROFESSIONALLY surveyed, but do I need be punished like this?
Currently, Eternally depressed, http://www.donzi.net/ubb/frown.gif
Wayne