My Dirty RX Resto Begins

[etemplet]

This RX has been sitting in the yard for about 18 months. The seized engine is still in place but as they say, it was running when it quit. I actually rode the ski the day before it locked up so I knew everything was working. I'm sure there was an oil leak that drained the oil tank. That said... the ski has been sitting in South Louisiana for an extended period and I decided to see what was underneath all the scum and dirt. I gotta admit I wasn't sure of the end result. This might be "black mold" but I'm not sure. This is a good photo of why people should purchase good covers. After I get the GTX DI running I'll pull the engine on this one and begin the restoration. This one should be fun !!

 

[etemplet]

After about $6.00 worth of quarters at the car wash and some savvy about how to get the most for the $$$ this is the end result of the first cleaning session. This is one pretty ski I must say. It may be a keeper. Almost to pretty to part with and with the full rebuild on the engine.... hella cool !!

 

[mikidymac]

WOW! Looks like a completely different ski.

 

[emspjay]

I have seen some dirty ski's but that was crazy!

 

[etemplet]

I have seen some dirty ski's but that was crazy!

I got other skis that sat outside for just as long that are not like that. I used to think it was because it was 100 feet or so from my burn pile. Might be "Black Mold" and perhaps that color is not as reflective in the sun. Who knows. That son of a gun sure was messed up. The part under the leaves was clean. LOL I wasn't sure it was going to clean up but it's looks OK. That crap came right off the seat which shocked me. I had a new seat on a red GTX.... It took a lot of work to clean it.

 

[etemplet]

I have a 30" X 25" addition on the back of the shop. It's cement with the attachment points for the frame, I'm gonna cover that pretty soon and I'll put in a vapor blaster or sand blaster along with a small paint booth. I'm tired of fighting overspray and weather. The area covered with skis is the addition. LOL

The Gray RX is my favorite. I think the Blue RX DI and The Gray RX would be a good match. No doubt the DI is gonna be faster. Unless I cheat. We currently ride (very seldom) the 1996/1997 GreenGTXs.

 

[ALLLCAPSRAGE]

I have a 30" X 25" addition on the back of the shop. It's cement with the attachment points for the frame, I'm gonna cover that pretty soon and I'll put in a vapor blaster or sand blaster along with a small paint booth. I'm tired of fighting overspray and weather. The area covered with skis is the addition. LOL

The Gray RX is my favorite. I think the Blue RX DI and The Gray RX would be a good match. No doubt the DI is gonna be faster. Unless I cheat. We currently ride (very seldom) the 1996/1997 GreenGTXs.

View attachment 57805View attachment 57806

Is that an aerobat i see in the background? [emoji102]

 

[etemplet]

Is that an aerobat i see in the background? [emoji102]

You have a keen eye my friend. Yes it is an Aerobat. Delmar, my good friend and bestus buddy and one reason I don't ride the jet skis much but I'm gonna make an effort this year.

You made me think.... I can fly Delmar and burn less than 6 gallons a fuel per hour at 100mph. LOL Hard to beat.

 

[ALLLCAPSRAGE]

You have a keen eye my friend. Yes it is an Aerobat. Delmar, my good friend and bestus buddy and one reason I don't ride the jet skis much but I'm gonna make an effort this year.

You made me think.... I can fly Delmar and burn less than 6 gallons a fuel per hour at 100mph. LOL Hard to beat.


View attachment 57812

Airplanes are my first passion, skis second.
Got my private in this, wasn’t cheap at 9gph lol

 

[etemplet]

@ALLLCAPSRAGE - I went up with Greg Koontz about 4 years ago. I wanted him to instruct me in my Aerobat but we did a weekend in his Decathlon. I heard lots of stories which I like cuz nobody talks about screw ups unless you are one on one. During my training we were doing spins and I made him dizzy and he said his head hurt. . When you tell me to let go.... I let go. Fun story.

I have 10 hours aerobatic training in a Pitts. I might have bought one if I could land the damn thing. I'm really happy with Delmar though. Perfect plane for me.

I went up in the Baron a couple months ago. I sure am glad I didn't buy a twin. Too much work.
Do you do facebook??

 

[etemplet]

Well back to the ski. I ended up pulling the engine so I could shift it around and get pictures of the hoses and where they connected. I really didn't plan on this today but hey... I'm ahead of the game now I noticed the pistons didn't really look to bad but the engine is locked up. I can even see crosshatch lines in the cylinder bore. Strange. I'm gonna guess the engine has a bad rod bearing on the crankshaft.

I don't think I'm gonna send this engine out for repair. Vendors just take too damn long for such a small amount of work. I have an engine that should arrive in a couple of weeks.

I figured a post without a picture is worthless so.... It's overkill but what they hey.... you never know when it will go back together no matter what your plans are.

 

[etemplet]

Then engine is installed in the 2003 GTX DI, the red/white ski in the picture. I'm still trying to figure out how the Wear Ring got all cracked up from the ski just sitting. I replaced that yesterday so it's all good to go. It might even float. Gonna be putting all the periphreals on the engine today. I never look forward to fighting the exhaust pipe but I view the challenge as a "right of passage". I think a 3rd hand would be nice in that situation. Something scary about inserting that key after an engine install. I try to clear my mind and just install it. Almost like a leap of faith and a prayer all rolled into one, or a shooter getting ready to "roll the dice" Lord don't let me crap !! Come on 7.. Ha ha.

 

[etemplet]

You know what "chaps mah azz"?? I removed (2) studs from 951 DI exhaust manifolds 2 days ago. that were in great shape.. I also had one that was a tad bent which I straighted and kept for emergency use. So I put the emergency use stud in my 10mm drawer. Now I can't find the two good ones but the freakin bent one is right where I put it. Also, I think I put two good exhaust manifold gaskets in the same place as the missing studs. I'm thinking of taping shit to the wall of my shop with arrows drawn point at the parts. Perhaps I'll install a video camera to aid my searches. LOL I can only imagine what I'm going to find while searching or this shiznit. Maybe I'll find my lost sun glasses. LOL Let the adventure begin. Bastages.

 

[etemplet]

Oh well.... what an adventure. After I dumped the trash can in the middle of the floor things took a turn for the better immediately. that musta been the magic code. No the part were not in the trash can. LOL Ski is almost ready to fire up. Just gotta hook up the rave solenoid and install a battery.

I put the white towels down to check for oil leaks.

 

[etemplet]

DANG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TWO BEEPS !!!! Holy Smoke !! I inserted the key 3 times to charge the system and she fired right up. WE MAKIN SMOKE !!! Now I'm trying to figure out if the air silencer is supposed to fit like that. Pretty funky if ya ask me. I'm gonna gloat a bit and maybe have beer while I sit in my thinking chair and relive the journey. Perhaps 2 shots of tequila would be more appropriate.. then a beer. LOL

 

[etemplet]

I started back on the RX the first of the month. Always a journey and always so much wrong with these skis. Just a few pictures. I document the work I do and what I find. Whatever doesn't look right or is a potential issue I correct. I enjoy but like anything else you got to fight them sometimes.

 

[etemplet]

I'd like to find an easier way to assemble the exhaust systems for sure. Always a fight for me and it is so difficult to tell if the flanges are lined up properly. Check check and check again. It's getting closer.

 

[tobytd]

Best way I have found to get it all in there is to install the band clamp, lubed, loose enough to allow the pipe half’s to move (twist). Tighten to exhaust manifold then front rubber bracket, then cylinder rubber bracket.Get it all lined up snug. Then work your way around the pipe, starting at the manifold…do the big squeeze clamp last.

 

[etemplet]

Best way I have found to get it all in there is to install the band clamp, lubed, loose enough to allow the pipe half’s to move (twist). Tighten to exhaust manifold then front rubber bracket, then cylinder rubber bracket.Get it all lined up snug. Then work your way around the pipe, starting at the manifold…do the big squeeze clamp last.

Do you put the copper RTV on the joint?

I should have taken a picture of this one. I've done them a number of times previously but the flange is so shallow it wouldn't stay in place. I put everything together loose but slide the clamp over last. I couldn't hold it and tighten this one at the same time.... I am part contortionist. But I couldn't get it. I used a rope tied to the left handlbar ran the rope under the pipe then stretched the rope across the ski and clamped it in my vise. LOL What a contraption but it worked really well and I was able to loosen and tighten the clamp to shift it around a bit. I'm just impatient and mule headed. I am consistent though. Ha ha. The RX DI is the worst one in my experience. At least this one was.

 

[fatblockabody]

Do you put the copper RTV on the joint?

I should have taken a picture of this one. I've done them a number of times previously but the flange is so shallow it wouldn't stay in place. I put everything together loose but slide the clamp over last. I couldn't hold it and tighten this one at the same time.... I am part contortionist. But I couldn't get it. I used a rope tied to the left handlbar ran the rope under the pipe then stretched the rope across the ski and clamped it in my vise. LOL What a contraption but it worked really well and I was able to loosen and tighten the clamp to shift it around a bit. I'm just impatient and mule headed. I am consistent though. Ha ha. The RX DI is the worst one in my experience. At least this one was.

I do a thin coat of copper RTV on any exhaust joints. Carryover habit from working on turbocharged car's. I know it's not needed with the big stainless washer but it makes me feel better.

 

[etemplet]

My thin coat is a 1/16" on the copper gasket and I grease the back side of the flange to make the clamp easier to slide. NO LEAKS !!! is the goal.

 

[etemplet]

It's ALIVE !!! 2nd DI this year and I have another one I just bought. RX DI's kick azz. Dang Speed Sensor held me up. For this ski I just went ahead and bought. the Candoo Sensor. I'll be looking for a cheaper fix. I bought the parts to repair the sensors but I'd need someone to show me how it is done. For now... I'm a customer.

Now comes my favorite part... TWEAKIN.




Jet Pump was corroded in a number of places so I scraped and sanded and prepped for paint. We'll see how the Glyptal holds up as a primer. Better than it was anyway.