Overhauling my Supra

[Mani]

Maybe I started a little late in the year, but I found a guy an hour away that said he'll redo my stringers for a very reasonable price, and I decided to pull the engine to get it rebuilt while he's doing all that. I'd have gone to Viper customs, but I'm not doing that drive.

The place is called solid motor sports. He showed me a few samples of his work, and it's very well done from what I can tell. He said he'll redo any and all structural wood in the boat.

My dad and I pulled the engine out of my boat today and figured out that the 1 ton rating on the boom of my engine crane is more of a suggestion than an actual rating. The engine came crashing down, transmission and crane still attached onto the driveway, once we had it out of the boat

I'm having all new rings, bearings, gaskets, etc put on the engine when it gets machined, along with rebuilding the carb, rebuilding many electrical parts, and redoing a lot of corroded wires. New parts like circulator pump, fuel pump, all filters, all hoses etc. are also in store.

Here's the first of the pictures.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs390.snc3/23808_10150143457800034_522820033_11525129_6840624 _n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs370.snc3/23808_10150143457835034_522820033_11525133_327168_ n.jpg
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[ngavchris]

The rating is based on the boom being retracted. Did you break anything on impact. Good luck on your rebuild.

[beast 496]

should have extended your bottom legs, the weight of the engine must be behind the fulcrom point, which is the little wheels on the bottom legs. If you are rebuilding your engine, maybe should look into the tranny. Al

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Oh no so sorry to hear it mani... sounds like you will have a beautiful engine soon. That will be nice!

[dusty2221]

At least it happend once it was out of the boat, rather than right on the side!

[Mani]

I was under the impression that the legs don't come out any more than that, since there's only one bolt hole I can find, unlike the boom. Maybe I'm not seeing something.

The engine didn't sustain any noticeable damage other than a slightly dented oil pan, that I've noticed so far. The oil pan was getting replaced anyways due to rust issues, so no biggie there.

[Mani]

Oh I almost forgot. The boom is rated for 2 tons. I had it out far enough to be at the 1 ton rating.
Al, why should I look into the tranny? I thought those things were basically bullet proof.

[michael hunter]

I had a Chevy 350 on a cheap tripod engine stand and it tipped over when I tried to move it. It fell about 3 feet and hit dead on the front pulley. I replaced the pulley and thought I got lucky. After installing the engine I found the crankshaft had bent where the pulley is installed. The legs should slide out or get 4 80lb bags of concrete and stack them on the back of the cherry picker. I'm glad no one got hurt.

[jzelt]

Well, it was before it was all rebuilt and put together.

Glad it didn't hit the boat/trailer and cause more $$$.

Looks to be in good shape interior/gel coat.

I think you are doing it right by spending on the hoses/etc instead of trying to re-use.

[Mani]

The guy from Solid Motor Sports in Sherman TX picked it up a few minutes ago. He's doing the stringers, mounts, and floors. He said he'd throw in a detail, remove most the small scratches, and fix a small crack in the hull for free. Just like Viper, he's going to send me picture updates as he goes, and I'll put them up for ya'll.

Hopefully we didn't damage anything more than the oil pan when it dropped, since it fell flat on the bell housing/oil pan. the rebuild will tell.

Thanks for all the support guys.

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Sounds like a great resto!!! Best of luck and keep us updated!

[dusty2221]

So where are you loacted at? I live in Howe, which is right next to Sher,man. WE have to go to Sherman to do anything. I've been here my whole life and have never heard of Solid Motorsports.

[Mani]

Dusty, I'm in Plano. Just 30 minutes south of you.

Here's the contact info for Solid Motor Sports:
Website for them (http://www.solidmotorsports.com/)
(903) 271-5883
3520 Texoma Parkway Sherman, TX 75090
Steve is the owner. He's a younger guy, right around 30, and he's the one that picked up the boat. He's got an 11,000 sq. ft. warehouse/workspace.

[docdrs]

just saw this post.....the internal legs should have more bolt holes on them , only need one on the external component.....if they are extendable

[Mani]

Owner of the shop took some pictures and sent them to me. So far they've removed some of the interior, and he's happy that they wood isn't mulch, so it's going to be easy to build templates off of.

The engine is at City Motor Supply, and they said they'll have a full rebuild in about four or five business days. The only flare I'm adding is the valve covers. I sanded the old ones down, and painted them Ford blue. Heat resistant paint of course.

Here's some pictures:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs464.snc3/25478_10150147703670034_522820033_11652127_5179171 _n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs444.snc3/25478_10150147703700034_522820033_11652132_6154696 _n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs444.snc3/25478_10150147703725034_522820033_11652135_5605100 _n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs464.snc3/25478_10150147703735034_522820033_11652136_7993814 _n.jpg

[Mani]

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs370.snc3/23808_10150147724180034_522820033_11652861_5879847 _n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs390.snc3/23808_10150147724190034_522820033_11652862_4197173 _n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs370.snc3/23808_10150147724200034_522820033_11652863_492895_ n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs370.snc3/23808_10150147724210034_522820033_11652864_3928757 _n.jpg

[dshaff24]

Im always up for watching another older supra get built! Keep the pictures coming!

[sybrmike]

Yep, keep the old girls running. I love the old school teak windshield trim - still classy.

[jet]

Hey Mani. Im in Mckinney and have redone my floor and whole boat and work from home, so If you need any help just call me man. I'll be there. jet

[Mani]

Jet, I appreciate it. I also work from home, so I find it easier to squeeze in some extra hours working on the boat.

I'm sure I'll run across some questions as I start putting it back together. Thanks again.

[Mani]

Mas Carñage, Señor.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs444.snc3/25478_10150153162295034_522820033_11811981_5231042 _n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs444.snc3/25478_10150153162310034_522820033_11811984_4882097 _n.jpg

And here's the glorious return of the engine from the machine shop. We've started putting it back together. More pictures of that to come.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs464.snc3/25478_10150152563295034_522820033_11797017_5237212 _n.jpg

[saltare inverts]

I keep rebuilding items in my boat and forget to get pictures. Please take more than you think and keep posting. Love to see the rebuilds.

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Awesomeeee!!! Like-New engine will make you very happy! Wrapped up with a bow. I was gonna say 'the foam doesnt look that wet' but the 2nd pic with the stringer just crumbling is scary!

[Mani]

He told me that the front 3/4 of the boat has bone dry foam. The rear 1/4 is soaked solid. They're letting a lot of the water dry off before they really tear it down.

So far we're looking at a fully rebuilt engine, with most everything new or rebuilt (Starter, Carb, all pumps, hoses, pans, plugs, wires etc. etc. etc.) New mounts, stringers, new floor, and carpet, fixing a small crack in the keel, buffing away all scratches. I'm also getting a new hydraulic coupler, winch, lights, and strap put on the trailer.

By the time I'm done I won't be able to afford filling her up with gas. :D

[saltare inverts]

Thats ok someone here will buy her from you:wink:

[Mani]

Assembly has begun, and other than the carb, which I pick up on Monday, it'll be complete before the end of the day on Sunday. Then I gotta sit here and cry because there won't be anything left to do, and the hull still won't be done. Honestly though, the most time consuming part of this project was stripping the old gasket surfaces and making them shine before install. I must have spent 15 hours in the past week just cleaning off 24 year old rust and gaskets.


Opened up from the "gift wrapping" and put on the timing cover.

http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs374.snc3/23998_10150154733670034_522820033_11845133_265064_ n.jpg

New oil pump and new oil pick up, installed.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs394.snc3/23998_10150154733680034_522820033_11845135_8247338 _n.jpg

Intake bolted down, oil pan on, and the valve covers mocked up. I knew I kept that 9 foot section of pressure treated 2x9 around for something.

http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs394.snc3/23998_10150154733700034_522820033_11845137_1626119 _n.jpg

[Okie Boarder]

Mani,

Looking good. It's amazing how much rot is under there when you tear into most of these older boats, huh? I'm jealous of the engine rebuild. I might do the same in a year or two...we'll see. Keep the pics and updates coming.

[Mani]

Okie, I appreciate the comments. You oughta check these pictures out, since I know you just got done with this side of things. BTW, your rebuild is rockin'. I'd cry myself to sleep if I had to do fiberglass work.

Steve from Solid Motorsports just sent me a picture update a couple of hours ago. Top cap is off, and the carnage continues. :cool:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs498.snc3/27179_10150155096335034_522820033_11856183_5555088 _n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs518.snc3/27179_10150155096340034_522820033_11856184_3976311 _n.jpg

[zalamander]

Engine is looking great Mani. I just pulled mine today, and the bolts that we were pulling with stripped & broke. The engine hit my tailgate, then the floor. My mechanic was able to keep it from hitting the floor too hard, but I have a trashed oil pan. My crank pulley is bent, and other misc. items. I will post pics soon... maybe start my own rebuild thread now!

[Mani]

That darned oil pan doesn't come cheap. Ford doesn't make them anymore, so the aftermarket guys frankenstein them together and charge a fortune. Sorry to hear about the mishap.

Get some pictures up. You know we all like pictures.

[ngavchris]

Your the second engine hoist mishap for the Spring. That is supposed to be the easy part. Hope all goes better.

[zalamander]

Your the second engine hoist mishap for the Spring. That is supposed to be the easy part. Hope all goes better.

You're telling me. I'm lucky that it didn't happen when the block was 8' up in the air. I think my boat guy felt bad too, and he's jumping on the stringers right away :) He had told me it was going to be about another week before he could start... anyways enjoy the pics.

[zalamander]

Here's some more... actually quite lucky considering what could of happened, and thank god no one got hurt!!!!

[Mani]

Ouch, Z. That's a hard hit. Mine didn't have near the damage. The good thing is that the machine shop told me that these engine's are real tough, and can take a real hard hit. When I told those guys about my mishap they didn't even flinch. They said that it was a non issue for the major components from the 3' or 4' height I dropped it.

Here's another picture update. Got the T-stat housing water pump, alternator, ignition coil, various new sensors, and carb back on it. Again, I'm spending more time with a razor, sand paper, and wire wheel removing the old gaskets and resurfacing than I care to discuss.

BTW, I'm ridiculously proud of that rebuilt carb. It looks brand spanking new with that marine coating on it.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs498.ash1/27179_10150155277210034_522820033_11863346_6068205 _n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs498.ash1/27179_10150156509225034_522820033_11897606_2404637 _n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs498.ash1/27179_10150156509240034_522820033_11897608_5567329 _n.jpg

[saltare inverts]

Nice work. Carb and motor look great. Dont forget to paint flames on those valve covers.

[Mani]

Nice work. Carb and motor look great. Dont forget to paint flames on those valve covers.

I hear it gives you an instant 40 horsepower. ;)

[sybrmike]

Plus, when it looks that nice - you can run without the engine cover and save a few pounds... Looks great!

[Mani]

Engine is all put back together, more or less. I just gotta mount the transmission, and wait for the hull to get back. I am NOT looking forward to timing this thing.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs524.snc3/29790_10150160146080034_522820033_11995878_3342478 _n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs544.snc3/29790_10150160146105034_522820033_11995880_5494735 _n.jpg

I'm sorry about the bad quality of these pictures, but the last few have been taken on my phone. I've lost my camera's charger and have another one on the way.

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Actually I was suprised at how easy the timing was to adjust, and I had never done it before (of course I had help). Good timing light and some chalk to see the markings.

[Mani]

Mikey, I've got a bit of help from my father who has timed a few engines in his time without any electronic gadgets. The man still doesn't know how to use the internet, but he'll strip an automatic transmission like it's no one's business. :D

If it comes down to it, I'll run to the local Autozone and get one of those timing lights.

Shop called this morning and said they've almost finished building the stringers and mounts. They should be in and glassed by the end of the day tomorrow. After reading about the trouble with the Supra trap exhaust I've also told him to go ahead and check for any leaks there. My bilge used to fill up about once every thirty minutes last season.

[saltare inverts]

I hope you get your charger in before stringer pics. We want alot of pics.

[jet]

Hey Mani. I have a timing light if you need it. Jet

[Mani]

Saltare, it'll be here in a week, but the owner of the shop sends me picture updates here and there. I post them when I get them. All pics of the hull are the ones he sent me. I'll keep ya'll posted. :D

Jet, PM me your contact info, and hopefully your real name. ;) I'll swing by once I get the hull back. Thanks a lot. I'm sure it'll help us out a great deal.

[Mani]

More updates and a box of goodies from the UPS man.

http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs263.snc3/27820_10150169428460034_522820033_12219070_5086231 _n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs326.snc3/28910_10150170727460034_522820033_12248298_690980_ n.jpg

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[dusty2221]

Making good progress it looks like. Hard to tell from the pics, but is any of that glassed in?

[Mani]

This is a mock up from over a week ago. The stringers were in, but it's wasn't glassed yet. He was trying to show me how beefy it was going to be. He's using 3/4" wood for the floors. Said he'll modify the cap to fit it properly. I should have it back the weekend before labor day, but we all know about deadlines.

The odd thing is that the caps been off once before. When he got it off and took a look at it, the stringers were glassed 1/4" thick, but they reused the old wood. It wasn't all the way around either, it was just some parts of the stringers. Looked like a little over half the structural wood had been glassed that thick.

Sorry again on the picture quality. My camera charger came in, but he's still sending me pics from his phone.

[Okie Boarder]

Looking good!

[Salty87]

beefy is good (with boat floors). my floor ended up being a little higher in spots than the original too. i ground the inner wall down a little bit and things fit together pretty good.

is that foam sprayed on your hull walls?...i haven't seen that on any of the rebuild threads yet.

love the engine pic...i'm making vroom vroom sounds

[Mani]

That is foam, but again, that's one of the head-scratchers from when he pulled the cap. It was already there.

[Mani]

Ha! That was just a brain fart. It's memorial day. I'm doing blue carpet. Everything in this boat is accented blue, so it'll match.

[Mani]

Talked to Steve at the shop. He was finishing the carpet and putting the top cap back on. Said he'd have her back to me by the end of the week. Let's hope he sticks to his word. :D

I'm thinking about running up there sometime this week before all is said done, just to snap some more pictures.

[Mani]

More pictures. Dropped off the engine to Solid Motor Sports. He said he could get it up and running for me as a turn key deal before memorial day. The dealer said they have a one and a half to two week turn around time right now.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs263.snc3/27820_10150178671845034_522820033_12459683_4788815 _n.jpg

They wet sanded the bottom of the bow and all the way around the top cap. There's some more spots that need to be done around the side of the hull, but the shine is great.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs263.snc3/27820_10150178671855034_522820033_12459684_1768826 _n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs283.snc3/27820_10150178671870034_522820033_12459685_2732684 _n.jpg

A bunch more carpet still needs to go in, and we gotta figure out something about that seem. The PO just glassed it down, so it looks like crap when removed from the gunwales.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs313.ash1/27820_10150178671885034_522820033_12459686_2434676 _n.jpg

[Blackntan90]

Mani, that is one clean bildge-wow!

[Mani]

Thank you. Once all is said done he's gonna detail it, so it'll be even cleaner.

Here's one he sent me of the carpet a bit more cleaned up on the edges and the engine going in. Said he'd try to get to get it firing before the end of the day.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs283.snc3/27820_10150179124110034_522820033_12470743_2871789 _n.jpg

[Mani]

Just got off the phone with Steve again. He got the motor mounted and running. Just needs a few fine tuning details and a bit more alignment done. Says it sounds great, and holds perfect temperature @ 160 degrees.

He's delivering it to my driveway tomorrow around 5 pm. Problem is, I'll be in Ft Hood by then to pick up a friend of mine who is returning from Afghanistan and is done with his service :D . Not exactly sure how I'll handle delivery, but I'm sure we'll come up with something.

[Mani]

Thank you! I do love blue.

The graphics were redone about 2 years ago, and when he sold me the boat he gave me a new set (same as are on it right now) just in case. Wet sanding looks amazing.

If everything goes according to plan, Steve is going to lake test her tomorrow, and I'm going out to cycle the engine and break it in on Saturday. I'm thinking 5 or 6 hours under load while cycling through her should do it.

There will be plenty more pictures and some video to come.

[Mani]

So we're not complete yet, but complete enough to break the motor in, and run the lake for now. Mostly it's small stuff like some interior pieces, cigarette lighters, speedo gear, etc.

Ran it out on lake Lewisville late this afternoon for about an hour. Here's the pictures I promised ya'll. I'll get more tomorrow of the motor and a few upgrades.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs283.snc3/27820_10150181011550034_522820033_12525269_2813585 _n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs283.snc3/27820_10150181011565034_522820033_12525271_5465783 _n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs283.snc3/27820_10150181011605034_522820033_12525277_2514239 _n.jpg

[Mani]

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs263.snc3/27820_10150181011585034_522820033_12525275_180177_ n.jpg

[jet]

Hey Thats my ramp! lol. How did she do?

[Mani]

Yeah, I launch at stewart's park by Pier 121.

Ran great the first day. Batteries both died the second day as we pulled to the dock. I just didn't hook them up to a charger over the winter. Got them charged overnight and back on the lake yesterday with the family. At the end of the day the engine temp went over 160 for about ten minutes to about 175 and then I could smell the clutchpack burning. It wasn't smoking and it wasn't a whole lot of stink, but it was there. Temp went back down to 155 but the smell remained as we loaded her up to leave.

On a brighter note, I found out that the previous owner sold his skylon extension with the boat. It was just hiding this whole time. We got a friend of mine to stand up on the board for more than 3 seconds finally, and the fly high stuff is awesome.

[Okie Boarder]

Looking good! Glad you're out there enjoying it now.