Dr Honda's Islandia Project. (Engine rebuild, and other stuff)

[Dr Honda]

Doc,

What r u using to tow the Islandia? .......
Leo

Ive got a 2010 Ram 1500 right now. I wish I still had a Diesel... but the gas has plenty of power to drag it around. I averaged about 13.5 mpg dragging it home.


Ok guys... I've decided to not let this engine get the best of me. I own a machine shop, and there is no reason to just give in and buy a powerhead. So, the plan right now is to weld up the lower case, send the crank out to "Marine Crankshaft" for a little love... and I will re sleeve the engine case myself. Yes... I will have a bunch of labor/time into it... but I figure I can do the rebuild for less than $1600.


Over the last few days... I've read good and bad on "Rebuilt" crank shafts. But... I've found nothing but good from a company called "Marine Crankshaft" in SoCal. For $450, they will do a spray weld, and grind on 2 journals. Then they will check for cracks... check for straightness... re-harden the entire crank... then re-polish all the journals. Since they come recommended, I think that's a fare price for the work being done. That price is less than half of a new OEM crank. I'll be sending my crank to them this morning, and they told me that it would be about a 3 week turnaround. I figure I can have the rest of the rebuild done in that time.


I will be building some tooling fixtures for the shop to hold the Merc block. So... if this all works out... I will be able to do the machine work for the guys here.

 

[LouDoo]

Tony,

We went to the lake today, came home early, any way I saw an Islandia at the dock, really nice, it's really close to being a deck boat. Pretty soon you'll be old enough to have a pontoon.:biggrinjester:

Lou

 

[harryb]

Tony,

We went to the lake today, came home early, any way I saw an Islandia at the dock, really nice, it's really close to being a deck boat. Pretty soon you'll be old enough to have a pontoon.:biggrinjester:
Old enough to have a pontoon??? I didn't know age was a qualification for pontoon ownership, ours is the best floating dock, refueling station, and rest area on the water. Not to mention it will carry lots of beer and food!!:thumbsup:

 

[LouDoo]

Exactly, I've got one.

Lou

 

[Dr Honda]

that's why the family wanted it so bad. The wife loves the water... but she doesn't like to swim. So... the skis frighten her a little. Also... since I have 2 girls, and the wife to deal with... they wanted the potty.

If I can't get the Merc engine to run... I'm thinking about finding a second XP 800... and turning this thing into a big shuttle craft. The XP's can push it... and then when I park it... they can come out to ride on.

 

[Dr Honda]

Hi guys,

I know it's been a little quiet here... but I'm just waiting on my crank.

Anyway... I got a few more parts in. The rebuild kit came in from eBay member "Faster than Mach one." and I do have to say... it's a nice kit. The pistons are a little heavy... but, then again... I haven't weighted a factory piston. But, the replacements do have coated skirts.

I also got my new sleeve from LA Sleeve.... and a used reed cage. (The #4 cage was crushed)


Oh... I know I said my oil gear showed no wear, but I never posted a pic. As you can see... it's shiny and there are no grooves in it.

 

[Dr Honda]

Hi,

I started a thread on this... but I figured I would post here too. (for archive reasons) Here's the clean up on my old switches. They didn't have any of the icon's left... so I cut some out of white vinyl.


Let me know what you think.

*****EDIT******

I've had a few people ask me for the stickers. If you would like a set, PM me. They are $5 plus shipping.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I like the 3 cow's udder ones

 

[Dr Honda]

I like the 3 cow's udder ones

I have little kids... so the milk dispenser will come in handy. (lol)

It's the head light switch. Because they are so small... I couldn't cut them with anymore detail.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

For those interested in another boat like Dr. honda's.

2002 http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/3078853073.html

 

[Murph_13]

Here's a "fixer upper" islandia...

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/3048498938.html

 

[Igetwet]

Cool thread Dr. Honda. I am doing a similar rebuild. I got a 2000 Speedster SK without a motor and that needs interior work. I just got my block back from boring and hope to get it together soon. I'll be checking in on your thread here frequently. Looks like with a little work you'll have a great boat for a great price.

 

[Igetwet]

Forgot a question. That rebuild kit you ordered, did it come with the lower crank bearing and the center crank bearings or did you order those seperatley? Those bearings arent listed in their description. The kit seems legit but i am still a little skeptical when they offer a kit for the price that pistons alone would cost from other manufacturers. Let me know what you think of the kit in detail if you could.

 

[Dr Honda]

The crank bearings didn't come with the kit. But... the seller has them, for $129. (top, 2 middle, and a bottom)

 

[jhjesse]

"Ok guys... I've decided to not let this engine get the best of me. I own a machine shop, and there is no reason to just give in and buy a powerhead. So, the plan right now is to weld up the lower case, send the crank out to "Marine Crankshaft" for a little love... and I will re sleeve the engine case myself. Yes... I will have a bunch of labor/time into it... but I figure I can do the rebuild for less than $1600."




Where might a person buy a power head if they do not own a machine shop???

 

[Dr Honda]

Where might a person buy a power head if they do not own a machine shop???

Here ya go.............

http://www.crowleymarine.com/powerheads/mercury_mariner/200_220hp.cfm

 

[jhjesse]

Thanks. Now I just have to decide between a merc powered boat, or rotax. Money is usually the deciding factor.

 

[Dr Honda]

Hi Guys,

Well... I know it's not the engine... but the last few days I found time to polish out the hull... make up some new graphics (big Seadoo at the bottom, Name, and Hull number) and I put in the hydro turf. For some reason, it looks bright in the pictures. In real life... it's darker.

Tomorrow... the engine is coming with me to my shop. :thumbsup:


Here's some pics for now.

 

[biffdotorg]

That is such a cool boat. The turf and graphics really make it!! I'm just hoping you can bring it back to life with an engine, otherwise, you will have the best looking barge on the water!!

I am truly jealous of that boat!

Great work, good luck finishing up the engine!

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Nice job.......did ya skip work today and spend it at home doing this?????

 

[Dr Honda]

That is such a cool boat. The turf and graphics really make it!! I'm just hoping you can bring it back to life with an engine, otherwise, you will have the best looking barge on the water!!

I am truly jealous of that boat!

Great work, good luck finishing up the engine!

Thanks... and at this point... if I have to kick the $4k to buy a power head... I guess I will. But... I should be able to bring it back to life.

Nice job.......did ya skip work today and spend it at home doing this?????

Yep... that's why I didn't hear my phone. (It's good being the boss :cheers

 

[Racereddie]

Hi Guys,

Well... I know it's not the engine... but the last few days I found time to polish out the hull...

The boat looks great! What brand do you use to polish?

Eddie

 

[Dr Honda]

The boat looks great! What brand do you use to polish?

Eddie

On gel coat... I use 3m Super duty compound, and a rotary polisher, with a foam pad. It's an aggressive compound, but it still has rouge in it. So... once the "Grit" breaks down... it will polish. The gloss you see in the pics is just the compound. I haven't even put wax on it yet.

 

[RFoster130]

Lookin great doc. Can't wait to see it on the water.

 

[cheappc]

Subscribing Doc, you know Im a fan!

Unbelievable how you make these boats look so beautiful.. Plus I give you a lot of respect for tackling a Merc, good for you! Plus I bet all the Merc owners on here are in awe... Its the 16th, so your probably trying to get that engine in there, good luck, God Bless!