Pretty Engines

[Boatsb]

Clean is good. paint is cosmetic. A clean engine with proper maintenance will run with less issues. A painted engine or a clean engine will be the same.

 

[Milacron]

One thing that seems to be working for me is spraying them down with WD-40 once a year. Primarily to keep the sweat off them in the winter. It does tend to attract some dirt, but a spritz with more WD and wipedown with a clean cloth usually solves that.

WD40 is meant to be a penetrant more than corrosion protection....although it does have small amounts of wax in it that will protect if sprayed in thick enough layers. Better, however are sprays such as Boeshield or CRC 3-36.... Just don't buy either of them at West Marine, where the prices may be double what thy should cost. CRC is usually pretty economical at auto parts stores.

 

[Avenger]

WD = Water Dispersant. That was the original intent, to keep the sweat off the engines in the cold. When I first got the engines all cleaned up I opened the hatches in early December and was shocked at how much water was on them.

That was the original reason, it does leave an oily film behind. I wouldn't use it on wiring or other such things. I'm using a Dow Corning protectant for some other surfaces, but for the engines I'm satisfied with the WD so far.

I hear Corrosion X is good, but I never see it on the shelf anywhere.

 

[Boatsb]

Corrosion X is great. I use it quite a lot. It is expensive though.

 

[Finalee]

I have 75,000 miles on the rears of my dually pickup truck and I think they will be fine for another 8k at least. Did have to replace the front tires at 65,000 miles. But the point is decades ago that tire rubber would need replacement at 30,000 miles or less.

Tires last longer now due more to what is under the rubber. The steel belts and segmented molding reduced squirm which in turn reduced the eraser effect that makes the rubber disappear.

 

[Fastinated]

As a boat shopper I like the nice painted engine rooms, but I'd rather have iron with peeling paint than someone who painted over all the hoses and didn't take the time to use some painters tape. Or remove the hoses when changing antifreeze to make a clean look. But as far as a boat buyer goes it's just one small piece of the puzzle. Ultimately I'd do it on my own. Especially if it's taken care of and ready to see some water. Making things pretty is a satisfying event with any new toy. Would I nitpick a dirty engine room in making an offer...... You bet! But it wouldn't crush a deal either.

 

[Nonchalant1]

You gott'a have your Craftsman tool box pretty too!


My real opinion is that it doesn't matter much. Remember the 3 priorities of boating in order of importance:
1. Float
2. Go
3. Look good
That always tells me what to work on next.

 

[Bob Bradley]

My real opinion is that it doesn't matter much. Remember the 3 priorities of boating in order of importance:
1. Float
2. Go

2.5 Catch Fish


3. Look good
That always tells me what to work on next.

Minor revision to priorities.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Billy Crystal : "It's better to look good than to feel good and You Look Mahvelous!"

 

[Milacron]

I hear Corrosion X is good, but I never see it on the shelf anywhere.

FWIW, Lamb's Yacht Center on the "Marina Mile" in Jacksonville, Fl has it, and at reasonable price. I have yet to form an opinion of how well it works....different from Boeshield and CRC 3-36 in that it sprays on as a white foam but then clears up.

Of course for flat out corrosion protection the cosmoline type sprays, like LPS3 or CRC Heavy duty are better, but they are smelly, sticky, and leave an amber coating that is not cosmetically pleasing and more tedious to remove.

 

[sgharford]

I only wish I had the head room! Well, and space to work on outer port and starboard.

 

[Milacron]

You gott'a have your Craftsman tool box pretty too!
View attachment 18532

Wow....beautiful. The Viking 55 I had a contract on in TX ha one generator where your toolbox is but with very sturdy table over it perfect fo large tool box. I however wanted to put an EMCO Maximat 11 metal lathe there,,,would have fit perfectly. Realize now however it would have been a monumental task to get it thu the door ways to the engine room, not to mention the 500 lbs of weight.

The Viking 65 has two generators with 5 Cruisair condensers plus water maker on top so there is only room for a Kobalt tool box....and even that required some door removals to get it in the ER. Much prefer your setup.

 

[whoover]

After seeing these lovely pair of 903's is seems like I have some cleaning to do. When I have to
sneak down to the outboard sides it the only time I envy the straight six owners.

Walt Hoover

 

[SeaEric]

49 year old boat with 49 year old iron.

 

[saltshaker]

 

[rsmith]

Minor revision to priorities.

No it's:
1.catch fish
2.catch fish
3.catch fish

Destroying the boat in the process is irellivent.

 

[Finalee]

Look's like a bunch of "Dock Queens"

 

[saltshaker]

Look's like a bunch of "Dock Queens"

Or maybe a bunch of guys who are obsessed with their boats. You can run them and keep them looking good.

 

[Finalee]

Those engine rooms look great! When considering most of those pic's are Detroit's it's astounding.

 

[Boatsb]

running them is not contrary to maintaining them. Just rehabbing them is a PITA when the PO did not keep them up.