You have to be close now Tom.

I’m trying!!



The list is still long but mostly brackets, plumbing and wiring.

I need to make brackets that will hang the fuel pumps off the engine mount. I may even mount the pumps directly to motor plates. I also need to make brackets to mount the circuit breakers and solenoids.

Plumbing has been a pain because parts have been hard to get. I also need the wiring in place to do it right.

Finally, I need to add some weather-pack connections to split the harness where it went to the injection harness. I already have the GM connector off and I’ll split it into two sections: one for the ignition (power and relay control, and tach) and the other for sensors.

I was out there the other day complaining some, and my buddy reminded me that I changed, “everything.”

At this point, the engines need to come off the stands and set-up on the motor plates so that I can finish the rigging and test-run/seat the rings. Then it’ll be off to the dyno if there’s time. I haven’t quite made up my mind on that part yet.

Looking good Tom! I don't know if you saw my posts or not, but your cam is running great in my boat now. I'll be splashing by Monday I hope.

Any idea why the location of my fuel pumps are different than yours?

Good to hear Dave. I saw you had some
oiling issues; I’m glad you got it figured out! Thankfully, the mains get oiling first on that block so you had at least some pressure at the bearings. I think minimal is 4 psi at idle per the Merc manual.

Good luck on Monday!

Yep - yours uses the HP500 accessory drive with V-belts. That system uses a mechanical pump driven off the raw water pump. The Gen V block did not have a mechanical fuel pump provision so the raw water pump was designed to do both. My Gen-VI is the same (no provision for a fuel pump) but the system was designed for fuel injection so the accessory drive and parts were simplified by using a standard raw water pump and a serpentine configuration to drive everything with a single belt.

I was tempted to try to find a Gen V accessory drive, but the costs to procure as well as refinish everything made it not worthwhile. The raw water pump alone was more than double the cost of my electric fuel pumps combined.

Your mechanical setup will require maintenance. There’s oil to lubricate the pump arm and cam, and it needs to be changed periodically due to fuel contamination. If you’re like me and change impellers each season, change the oil while you’re maintaining the impeller.

I spent most of today working on the Cigarette with the guys. We’re close there. Some hoses, shoring up some rigging, and drive/throttle cables. Probably firing later this week or weekend.

Tomorrow (or tonight if I get really bored) the engines come the stands and will be put on the engine mounts so I can mock up the plumbing with the everything attached. The engines are filled with break-in oil and ready to be primed. Really really close now.

Yesterday’s view...


The starboard engine was covered up because I was going to cut some aluminum for brackets.

THANKS! Don't mean to distract you from getting yours on the water but I think I will need a little more detail/direction on this maintenance...maybe a link to a service manual.

You’re welcome Tom.

If you do a Google search of “water pump fuel pump offshoreonly” I’m sure you’ll find everything you need.

Impellers should be replaced every season. It’s pretty easy. You need to remove the assembly to do that and in the case of the combined fuel pump/water pump, the fuel lines need to be undone. Then it’s just a matter of replacing the fluid in the cavity as well as the gasket. Something like that.

THANKS!!! I had done my raw water impellers on my last 311 and this one has Hardin stainless steel sea pumps but the fuel pump system/interface/interaction seems to be a new wrinkle that I have not seen before. I will start my learning process.