RESTO 96 and 97 GTX Build

[jforest]

I have a 97 GTX in great shape just did same thing new engine does a nice 55 on the water, now took on a 2001 GTS needs top end rebuild, or new engine, not sure which way to go, enjoy your ski looks great

Thank you! Good luck with the 01 gts! Haven't looked into those yet.

 

[jforest]

I was able to take the 96 out on the water yesterday for a ride. Rode it around for about 30 minutes giving it about 50%-60% throttle then let it cool down a little bit. I took it back out and got it running up near 6000-6250 rpms. The engine runs great! I had a lot of fun even just riding by myself. The powerband of the engine felt great. I'm planning on taking it back out today with the fiance.

The 97 still has oil in the PTO but I'm thinking I didn't get it all out when I used my pump since the crankshaft made it difficult to get to the bottom of the cavity. I'm going to try to pump more of it out today with the plugs out. I've installed a plastic ball valve from Home Depot inline on the oil line. Yesterday my battery got weak so I put it on the charger. I'm hoping to get it started up today so I can have both skis out on the lake today.

Also, I was reminded on the lake that my steering alignment on the 96 is off. While riding, I had to keep the handle bars turned all the way to the right to pretty much stay straight..haha I guess you could say I was making Nascar laps on the lake. I'll take care of that when I get home today before we head to the lake.

 

[jforest]

Well I found my steering problem last night. The cable lock nut for the steering cable where it comes out of the hull, next to the jet pump was broken. When I would turn left and push the cable out, it was not a problem. The force of the water going through the nozzle at higher speeds would pull on the cable while trying to turn right thus making the nozzle point straight and not allowing me to turn.

I took the one off of the 97 so I can still ride the 96. I got the 97 back up and running yesterday but still burning alot of oil so I'm guessing it'll take a little bit to get that all out. I'm sure I'm going to be back and forth from the lake all weekend but who can complain. :thumbsup:

 

[jforest]

Update:

Since my last post, I decided to send back the engine for the 97 back to Tom at SES. I installed a valve to cut the oil off to the rotary shaft. I shut it off and got all the oil out of the PTO cylinder then ran it down at the lake. When I opened the valve back up, the engine would put out more smoke so I knew a seal was bad.

I sent the engine back to Tom in early June and just got it back yesterday. I put the engine back in the hull and hooked up the oil lines last night. With a full oil tank, I didn't lose any oil like before. I finished getting everything back in today and it started right up. Ofcourse after I got everything hooked up, a wild summer storm rolled in so I'm planning on hitting up the lake tomorrow to finally get this engine broken in.

I'm disappointed that I had to wait this long to get it running right but I'm happy that its all done with now and I can enjoy both skis for the rest of the year.

 

[rickd73]

That looks good! Good job on the paint!

 

[jjsinaz]

We got started on the 97 this weekend. My fiance helped me sand the bottom of the hull yesterday and today. All I need to do now is apply some wax and it can be flipped over but that'll wait for another day.

Here is the before picture on the 97:


And the after:

So you were able to bring that hull back to life just by sanding (I'm sure alot of sanding) and buffing. Wow looks great. I'm going to do mine this winter and this is very encouraging. Those are beautiful skis. You did a remarkable job restoring them. I hope mine looks half that good when I am done. BTW, what color did you pick on the decals. That color looks awesome on them

 

[jforest]

Thank you! A ton of hours when into both of them but it was well worth it.

As for the hull, I purchased the Seadoo Green gelcoat. I applied it then sanded it then buffed/polished it.

I want to say I got the Dark Grey for the decals.

 

[Cpt Momo]

Awsome job man ... very inspirational! I took notes of your work to when I work on getting my jetskis pretty.

Bravo

 

[glsmohio]

we got started on the 97 this weekend. My fiance helped me sand the bottom of the hull yesterday and today. All i need to do now is apply some wax and it can be flipped over but that'll wait for another day.

Here is the before picture on the 97:


and the after:

what where the steps you did...just sand then you waxed? And then you rolled, sanded buffed? Did they mix the color for you?

 

[jforest]

Yeah I sanded it smooth then rolled the new gel coat on in 2 layers. Then I sanded it again going from 400 grit, 600 grit, 800 grit then 1000 grit. I then took a wool buffer pad with heavy or medium cut buffer then moved to a fine cut and polish.

The gelcoat was already mixed, I just had to add the hardener.

 

[glsmohio]

So you had to wax it before you could roll right?...i have only used gel with wax

 

[jforest]

I didn't wax it before using the gelcoat. It was my first time doing it so I might have not done it completely right.

 

[soccerdad]

You should not wax first. I think you may be a little confused. Wax is only used before gelcote if you are gelcoting against a mould. It keeps the gelcote from bonding to the mould as a release agent. In this case, you want the gelcote to bond. In addition, a wax can be added to the gelcote mix that will allow the gelcote to fully harden. Otherwise it will remain tacky. This wax moves to the surface to keep the air away to allow the hardening, but does not reduce the bonding of the gelcote to the ski. You must sand the surface of the gelcote to remove this wax if you want to apply a second coat.

 

[glsmohio]

You should not wax first. I think you may be a little confused. Wax is only used before gelcote if you are gelcoting against a mould. It keeps the gelcote from bonding to the mould as a release agent. In this case, you want the gelcote to bond. In addition, a wax can be added to the gelcote mix that will allow the gelcote to fully harden. Otherwise it will remain tacky. This wax moves to the surface to keep the air away to allow the hardening, but does not reduce the bonding of the gelcote to the ski. You must sand the surface of the gelcote to remove this wax if you want to apply a second coat.

thanks. thats what i was thinking but couldnt remember.

 

[RedAggie03]

What a great thread, I'm glad to see a lot of 96-97 GTX's on here. I'll for sure have support if I have issues down the line. I'm really glad mine was in great shape and I haven't had to do quite so much to it though. You've put a LOT of work into these!

 

[jforest]

Thanks! Alot of work did go into them but they were definitely worth it! I'll be glad next spring that I won't have to do the rebuild like I did this year. It took up pretty much all my time!

 

[jjsinaz]

Hey Joe,

Another question on the decals. I checked out that link on ebay but the dimensions they are showing are not jiving with me. Did you special order those or just order what they show i the pic on the listing. Thanks. I am going to order a set for mine I just wanted to ne sure that is what you ordered

 

[jforest]

I believe I just ordered the ones shown but I can double check the dimensions when I get home today.

 

[jjsinaz]

Thanks Joe. That would be great if it is not too much trouble.

 

[jforest]

I looked through my messages and I just ordered the decals the size they have posted on the ebay page. The only thing different was I told him I did not want the bottom stickers

 

[jjsinaz]

Cool thanks again Joe

 

[garrettb]

I got the gel coat from gelcoat.com and the rest of the supplies from Home Depot.

Are you sure it's www.gelcoat.com? That takes me to a site that looks to be 100% in German. I'd love to find Seadoo red for my GTX and not have to worry about mixing colors!

 

[jjsinaz]

www,gelcote.com

 

[jforest]

I think I'm a little late to the party for getting my skis out of winter storage. I got them in the driveway, put their batteries in and within a few cranks they both started right up! Needless to say I was pretty happy about that.

I plan on doing some pre-season maintenance before taking them out. Looking forward to a good season!