1960 Atom Skier Fin Boat Recondition

Been a while since I posted. In the process of constructing a car port/ workshop area in Fl so I can move my equipment and unfinished projects here to finish them.

Looking forward to seeing folks at SJRR again.

I have been communicating or should i say trying to with a well known engine rebuilder in NJ that owns the Gray Marine stuff also now that the company has gone out of business. He said he had a process to restore my exhaust manifolds in this boat. Since then I have sent pictures of them and no responce so I am a bit concerned about the follow through. Pete mentioned a place I think in Ill that can restore wet manifolds I think. If you have that information Pete I would love to have it. I have purchased another engine to put in this boat but would prefer to get the original back together if possible as the rest of the engine is in good working order.

Thanks for the info Pete. I spoke with Buck from Crow and he wants pictures to start. Sending them this morning. I was optimistic about the other guys process where he bored out the bad area and inserted a brass sleve with high teck glues. Said he had very low failure rate. VanNess Engineering. If determined mine were salvagable i was going to ship them to NJ for the repair. Sad to say the communication has been poor to say the least. He told me that he bought out what was left of Gray Marine I think is what he said. Said he had many parts. Shall see where this goes with Buck and take it from there. I do have the spare engine that I think may well be a running setup and that coould go it this boat but I would like to complete what I have started. Already had the heads reworked and the rest is fine.

I had good luck with Crow, as far as I know. They look good, like a manifold should, but I haven't run them yet. My manifolds are aluminum so a much easier repair IMO, but he returned them on time and at estimate. I followed Petes recommendation and found Buck very accommodating.
BTW, any Fin Boat photo is enjoyed. I'm one of it's biggest fans.

Jack,
What's the other engine you bought last summer?

Jack,
What's the rotation on the 327/188?

I have made considerable progress toward getting this skier back on the water. Buck Crow determined that one of my exhaust manifolds was probably not repairable and he went about finding suitable, repairable if necessary replacements. within a day or two got back to me and said he found a pair and he put my in contact with the guy that had them on a shelf. I brought out another thousand to lubricate the wheels of progress and the guy went ahead and pressure tested them. they hold pressure and in need of sleeve repair in some bolt areas. they are being repaired now and will ship to me this week. I am working to clean and paint the bilge area and getting the engine back together and painted up. Would appreciate if anyone knew a source for marine gasket head set or complete gasket set for this engine. I can get the passenger car one from ebay etc but not sure if it will be ok. Trying to reach the Gray Marine Parts folks is like trying to communicate with VanNess Engineering. Virtually impossible!!

Thanks to Pete for the recommendation and reference to Crow Welding. Also to John who gave me confidence to trust Buck Crow as John had had good results also from him.

john b wrote: I'm no expert, but I would think the automotive gasket set would work.

Yes

If you have a part with relatively intact paint, such as a valve cover you can take it in to a Ditzler-PPG auto paint store and have it matched. Most stores are able to put the paint into an aerosol can. It is my understanding that paint in an aerosol can does not have hardener mixed into it because it must be used immediately after the hardener is added, so it's not quite as durable as the mixture a body shop would use . Someone with more knowledge can fill you in on that.

I don't believe heat is a concern on marine engines. The surface temperature of most components is lower than that of the hood of a black car parked in the Tucson sun.

First of all hear say is immoral
I have repaired several hundred manifolds over the years and so far not one returned..... not to say there could not be a failure.
I spend most of my day on the phone helping customeers I have in the course of a year my phone log shows over 3000 calls. No one can make everyone happy but since we have been in business as of last hear we had rebuilt something over 2200 engines, I have two phone lines a fax line a public cell and a published home number. I take calls seven days a week As of now we have 57 engines in the shop for rebuild,
I was severly injured when a custermer did not properly secure his engine to a pallet and it hit me in the head detaching both retinas This eook over a year to resolve itself.
This forum should be positive and not about bashing vendors that try to resolve complicated problems

I am sorry to have caused a ruckus over the service I received from Mr. Vanness. My intention was never to bash him rather I was trying to get good information on how to get out of the pickle I was in with my exhaust manifolds. Rest assured however it is not heresay.

That said the good news next. Delivery guy came yesterday. Two heavy boxes. Said what you have in these heavy boxes some manifolds. I said why yes I do.

Thank you Metro Marine Service, New Brighton, Mn. the salvaged exhaust wet manifolds were fresh water use and needed new inserts in the long bolt hole areas. This done they were pressure tested and sent out. Not an inexpensive operation but for unobtainable parts I was happy to have the good service and prompt turn around. Also I might add that communication was key to making this project come to fruition.
Reassembly has begun and paint in hand to complete the project.
I need to review my skills on posting pictures as I seem to have lost my touch.

SNobsessed wrote: juniorwoody wrote: I need to review my skills on posting pictures as I seem to have lost my touch. The key is to resize them down to under 100 KB. I use paint, but there are 20 other ways to do it too.

Think my problem is that I am on my Ipad. I have done it so many times before and the photobucket usually resizes them properly. Ipad can be limiting in its capabilities and then so am I in mine.

Greetings Allen, Your comments about Dave Van Ness are spot on. I am sure his work is beyond reproach and not being an ingrate I must say that Dave spent a good deal of time with me on the phone explaining my options. I am sure the communication situation was a result of his accident which I feel bad for.
I think that the main weakness with the Fireball 327 is the inability to get replacement exhaust manifolds. It is bullet proof otherwise. The side draft carbs can be finicky but the other engine options for the Starflite and Atom were Y blocks that also had the Carter YF side drafts. I have read recently that the 255 hp one that we have in the Straflite was a very fast engine for it's time. I now have an extra and think I am somewhat committed LOL.

You could eat off that bilge!! Nice work !

BOy, that is coming along nicely!!!