Heading for a repower

Post by **dougl33** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:36 pm

Charlie, I thought you were dumping the boat? Hope this means you changed your mind. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:01 am

Just testing the water. Charlie

kevin gillespie · Post by **kevin gillespie** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:28 am

charlie i went from triple nickles to 370 cummins for about 65 k w/trannys,shafts,props,upper&lower gauges,installed etc. i think it was 1 1/2 to 1 not 2 to 1 like i said early.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:47 pm

Jan 13 2008 update. Well today was going to be the hang the motors day, but upon installing the shafts and checking alignment, it became shim the struts day. This is why I've endured delays and am not doing it myself. The first set of shims didn't work and needed some adjustment. That will happen tomorrow and then the struts can be re-attached. I don't have any new pictures, but will take some soon, I think this will be engine bed week if all goes well. br, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:54 am

Jan30 update, Last Thursday the motors were dry fitted and we found that 7degrees isn't enough down angle to get the motor under the deck. Sooo, it's tranny shopping time again [:(!][:(!][:(!] We discussed other options that affected shaft alignment, but the strut is as short as I dare go as I don't want turn any smaller prop than 21-22" the shaft log is bottomed out and short of cutting up the Hull, there isn't any adjustment there. So my ZF280-1A's 1.48to1 are for sale and will go to the wholesaler next week if I haven't made a private deal. I'll be going with the ZF301-A that has a 10degree down angle and should bring the front of the motor down another 3 inches. Which will put them just under the exiting floor and I still may need to raise the floor a little. If it wasn't for this, the motors would be in NOW... Repower, not for the faint of heart or shallow of wallet. John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:10 am

Man that sucks. I just went back and re-read this thread. I can't believe its taking this long! Your original post was almost a year ago. Back in May of last year you said you hoped to be done in 2 months. I certainly hope they're working with you on the $$. Just remember, when all is said and done you will be very happy with your new boat. In the meantime, good luck. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:32 pm

Yeah, it's been too d%mm long. I can't complain about the arrangements too much. I control most of what gets done and it's done in the slack time of other jobs which is why not much was done between Sept and Dec. Up until the trany issue the main guy was on my boat full time and would have had the motors installed by now. He's got a good outlook and takes a lot of pride in what he's doing. Such goes life. John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

Fryedaddy · Post by **Fryedaddy** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:49 pm

John, How's it going? I haven't done much to my boat yet. Engines are ready to be pulled. That's about it. What size mufflers did you get? Did you go to the 8" exhaust? Anyway I am really waiting to see how your refit goes. John

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:37 pm

Hi John, Thanks for asking, I went with 6" exhaust out the back, new struts, new shaft logs, and packing glands to fit 1-3/4 inch shafts. The existing fuel pickups were drilled out and tapped for the right size for my motors, new racor's. As for transmissions, I'm back to the ZF280 A's. Once I dug a little deeper into switching to the 301A, I got really concerned that they might not fit and I'd have to put bubbles in the bottom of the boat. So I opted to tweek the fit with the 280A's and then raise the salon floor as needed, my floor is old and refitting it will get rid of some sags and squeeks. Have you decided on motors yet? PS. if you haven't degreased you engine room, use the Marine Clean from POR15 that stuff was great. I use it along with a couple of bristle brushes from the $1 store. br, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:24 pm

I finally took some time to upload some pictures into a slidshow. I've got a new appreciation for those who take on a repower/restore. Though the yard is doing the install, I'm doing some of the minor stuff such as cleaning an painting. I re-ran some plumbing and cleaned up some wiring too. Its a lot of work!! to say the least. I had some challenges fitting 420hp cat 3126's into a B35 due to trans angle. For that hp there wasn't a 10degree down angle gear that would fit as well as the ZF280A, drop down to 350hp and you can use the zf220A. After looking at my options, I opted for raising the floor and sticking with the ZF280A's. Both motors are in now and all but the ultimate alignment is done. The shafts were cut 1 inch too long and need to be pulled and re-worked. Wiring and exhaust work needs to be done. All elbow's were fabricated from fiberglass where off the shelf wouldn't work, 6in straight out the back with centeck mufflers. Here's a link to the slidshow http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm12 ... 19bd82.pbw Many Thanks to the B31 & B33 communitities for help and advice. br, JohnD John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

richcatch22 · Post by **richcatch22** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:56 am

Very nice. Good Luck. Get them fired up!!!!!!!!!!!! (find the 11 or so (2 gear cooler, 3 heat exhchanger, 5 afterccoler, 1 exhaust) Zincs while it all open) Capt Rich Catch 22 1989 33 FBC

retman · Post by **retman** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:11 am

John, Looks like your closing in on the worlds fastest 35. If I may suggest that when you faricate the new salon floor you consider small access hatches at the expansion tank fill and over the relay box at the back of the motor. Bill Arnold 1988 33 FBC 'Retriever'

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:54 am

Thanks for the tips. I've got the dipstick handles painte yellow and will do so for the zinc locationss as well. Also, I've got 8in metal circles from my old hatches which will be used over the expansion tanks of the new floor. I'm going back with just straight carpet for now and will look to remodel the interior in another year or two. For now I just want to be able to use the boat instead of working on it. br, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

kevin gillespie · Post by **kevin gillespie** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:20 pm

John the pics look great i started geting flashbacks from when i did mine. cant wait to here the speed #s .by the way what year is that. Kevin Gillespie Prestige One [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... ge_One.jpg[/img]

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Thu May 08, 2008 6:15 am

Well, it's finally done (at least with the yard work). I still have the floor to do and 100 other odd things to do. Most importantly, it floats and runs (like a raped ape) I ended up with 21x26" 4-blade props but know now I could go to 22in diameter and maybe some more pitch/cup. I've made 2 runs and have 7 hrs on the motors. I didn't spend much time above 2100rpms except to test WOT for a very short time. While I definitely think some tweaking with the props could improve cruise and top end. I'm happy with it for now. The numbers below are with 2 adults and full of fuel/water. I still need to finish the floor in the salon and put the furniture in but don't think it will have any effect on the numbers. Here are some numbers: RPM kts 650 5.5 2000 21 2100 23 2300 25 2900 30.5 (WOT) The boat is a lot more responsive, acceleration is effortless and pulls like a freight train. I get a kick out of slow speed maneuvering, around the dock bumping in and out of gear yields instant response. Many thanks to all who've helped with advise and encouragement!! br,