1993 350 Aft Cabin with Volvo KAMD 42 diesels

[tomschauer]

http://www.centroidproducts.com/

This should be a replacement for your water tank sensor. I bought one from them a couple years ago. Very nice to deal with. I installed a new Kus gauge at the same time. Just make sure you get the gauge and sender with the same impedance.

[kxc112]

Finally got in touch with Carver and they were very helpful. The water tank sender is directly from Centroid. Talked to the lady there and she is very nice. I had to measure the unit this weekend so that I can ensure we have the correct part, but shouldn't be an issue.

Have been in touch with TaylorMade as well and should be getting the information screens and gaskets/weather stripping. So hopefully I will be get that stuff and rebuild windows in the next year or two. As long as I have the leaks fixed (which it seems I have 2 of the 3 completed), I can put off that rebuild and prioritize some other things right now.

[kxc112]

Update. We have really been focusing on the port engine since my last post. I did get the water tank sender in and that now works. As far as the engine I took off all the ancillary components myself - alternator, water pump, pulleys & belts, supercharger, aftercooler, oil cooler, heat exchanger, starter, stator, turbo, elbow, all brackets, thermostat housing. The turbo was in too bad a shape to rebuild so I purchased 2 new ones (anticipating the same for the starboard engine). New elbow. I cleaned the aftercooler but when we put it back together it wouldn't hold pressure due to corrosion at the bottom. I have a new housing being shipped tomorrow. Heat exchanger completely cleaned, test and refurbished. Starter rebuilt. New upgraded alternator (I believe we moved from a 50a to 60a). Rebuilt water pump which included changing out some of the pulleys since Volvo has since upgraded that whole system (basically from the KAMD-42A to a KAMD-42-P-A configuration). Thermostat housing either new or rebuilt (I have to check with the Volvo tech that is helping me put it back together - just noticed this yesterday). Oil cooler cleaned. I also cleaned all screws, brackets and pulleys - everything that goes back on - and painted it. I also cleaned and painted most of the engine while everything was off. It is now about 80% put back together. I also had the tech rebuild my fuel lines because the connections and brackets were completely corroded and possibly leaking. I had to get him to replace 5 hoses with Volvo because they are formed but I have 3 more hoses to find that I don't think I will need to buy from Volvo. So once we get the aftercooler housing, the tech should have it all back together within a day or two.

Now that I know more of what I am doing, I think I can have the starboard engine apart within a weekend or two once we start on that so hopefully we can move quicker on that one. It's been a process but that port engine looks damn near new at this point. Hopefully it runs like it. Will keep you posted.

[RGrew176]

Good news, thanks for posting what all you have done on this project so far.

[kxc112]

It's been awhile since I posted an update as we have been busy also trying to sell 3 rental properties (2 by ourselves) this summer. But our Volvo tech got the port engine completely back together and it fires up and purrs very nicely. I then started tearing apart the starboard engine, cleaned it, refurbished parts, cleaned the bilge underneath it and prepped it while our tech rebuilt the starter, cleaned & tested the heat exchanger, oil cooler, thermostat housing and other parts. He will begin putting it back together this week so hopefully in the next 2 weeks or so we will have both engines completed - finally.

Our marina also was able to buy a new motor for our windlass and rebuilt that entire unit. So that should be going back on within the next week or so as well.

Next step is to haul the boat to paint the bottom, have the shaft seals and struts serviced, change anodes, and either buy new props or have them refurbished. While that is being done we are also getting another local company to upgrade some of our electrical system. The prior owners installed a new battery charger but did not pull the old one out. The new one is mounted under the middle of the salon floor but blocks access to the port engine and makes it difficult to work in that area. It is also not hard wired and is plugged into an outlet. None of the battery gauges work and they installed a residential refrigerator with no inverter so you can't run it at anchor. So this local company is going to pull the older charger, move the new one to that position (on the back bulkhead under the salon steps), wired it properly, installed an inverter to run the fridge, 1 outlet, and the ice maker, and reconfigure the battery set up. We have 2 8D house batteries and 1 generator battery. I don't like the idea of using the 8D's as engine starter batteries as well as house batteries - any thoughts on this would be welcome. They will also install a new stereo system and a new spotlight on the bow (old one doesn't work).

We are also contracting a local company to help us with the interior. We pulled the old couch, which was the original. But I don't understand having a 6' couch that is difficult to move and you can't put it anywhere to get into the port engine if you have any emergency. So we will find more flexible furniture. But I also want to get all new soft goods, as the old stuff is original and has soaked up all the exhaust and diesel smells over the years. We will also get the carpet pulled and put in wood floors. This will be done over the late fall or early winter most likely. And we should be getting all new canvas on the flybridge and aft deck as well.

I still am trying to figure out the water leak. I sealed the windows and don't see any signs of them leaking any longer. But during a heavy rainstorm I was working on the engines and I could see the front bilge filling up under the galley floor. It has to be coming in from the sides somewhere and I am thinking possibly the water fill or waste connections - maybe they are no longer sealed and water puddles up on the side decks all around those deck fills. I can't see it coming in but it has to be coming in under the forward waste tank so I need to keep searching. I hate a wet bilge.

Lastly, I am trying to decide on a dinghy system. I have a 9.5' inflatable with a 9.9 HP engine so I need to keep it stored upright on the swim platform. The swim platforms on the 350 Aft Cabin are only 2.5' deep. So I am looking at Extended Under Mount Dinghy Davits from Dinghydavits.com. I may put a 3" riser on it as well. That will put the keel of the dinghy about 16" off the swim platform, leaving about 16" of the swim platform open near the transom to handle lines. Again on this one, if anybody has experience with something like this please let me know. I would be interested in hearing about any other solutions or options. I would like to be able to handle lines and not have to carry the engine or dinghy, as they are just too heavy. I will get a cover for it as well. I talked to our marina and it should be ok, even if we have to get another slip (although it will likely cost me).

It is taking longer than we wanted, but we are well on the way and we have the right contractors involved (I think) to get everything done. Maybe we'll be able to cruise a little this winter with some nice weather.

[Viper]

Sounds like you're making progress