Detroit 8v71's sunk

Hi Guys,

New to this and apparently didn't put my blog in the right place.

Boat sunk, stbd motor went under, port water came in through dip stick.

Big fight with insurance company who after nearly a year paid out $20k instead of the $150k I was insured for. Legal advice: take the money and run!

Cast iron muffler blew hole in the bottom. "Fair wear and tear. Corrosion" etc although I had inspected mufflers as best I could only a few months before.

HAve been advised by one of the two best Detroit specialists in Western Australia that we may get the motors turning again, so have been pouring down bores a mix of acetone/hydraulic fluid 50/50 as I see that this is the best formulae for rust removal.

The boat was/is a 1962 55' Chris Craft Constellation which I brought in from Seattle and spent 3 years doing upgrades to her. Nearly finished then that happened!

After loosing all my belongings and home in a fire three weeks before - under insured - my fault - and as a person who has paid taxes all his life but invested wisely and now gets nothing in return from 'the Nation' am looking for the most inexpensive way to get these motors going again. Then we tackle the electrics!

Any sound advice would be appreciated.

And thanks to Captain J for his speedy response - have tried to go back direct to him.

Cheers

Gbmacca

Balmy 35c here today

Hi Pascal

Originally had the motors turning over - 48 hours later - shooting diesel out the bores - but had to stop as incorrect socket.

Was then told not to touch them for insurance purposes which sadly I lost.

Detroit specialist says - after checking bores with camera and only finding small surface rust - that we may have a chance.

Said could take 2 -3 months then they may give.

So, I either get my boat back or end up with a floating caravan!

Will keep you informed.

Cheers

BAlmy 32c here today

Yeah. Have kept sumps full from day one - so hoping all well at the bottom end.

Drained all water from both motors and gearboxes then filled with diesel.

Will give it a couple more weeks then will resort to floating caravan!

Cheers

Gbmacca

Hi

HAve taken them off but not when I pour mix into cylinders, the pistons which are below the flutes, just leaks the mix down the side of the engine.

Thought I would put them back on - **** job - and pour more down so motor is saturated.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Gbmacca

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.

Yes, this would be the next step.
Although concerned that stuck pistons would push liners up and then would not reseat with **** under the lips.

MAybe we can somehow bolt them down.

Very, very hard to get under motor to undo bearing caps but maybe younger mech could do it. My knees stuffed so have difficulty with that stuff.

Am currently recycling the mix in the sump as I can still smell some acetone in it. Will put some fresh acetone into it as I have read this to be a great rust 'free-er'.

Your thoughts?

Cheers

Gbmacca

One thing I do need to ask - as I have now got a long hollow bar over the socket and bar, is will I snap the main bolt on the pulley if I use too much force.

HAve read where a guy used a 6' bar and sledgehammer to get his motor free, which was seized for a year, going again!!!

HAve also just bought a block and tackle as it was suggested that I keep pressure on the pulley and crank it up a notch or so each day ----

CAn do it on the stbd motor but the port will need some ingenuity!

Cheers

gbmacca