Fix It If YOu Can

[SurfBeat]

A couple years ago I had my 93 GTX engine rebuilt by a local PWC shop that was not affiliated with any brand.

Last month my Doo would not crank, so after assistance from the boyz on the Forum (I am not a mechanic) I was able to perform all of the requisite checks to pinpoint the problem and it became clear that my crankshaft was defective.

Sure enough, after disassembling the engine I noticed that the web on the crankshaft was cracked, so out of my pocket went $250 for a rebuilt and another $50 for gaskets, etc.

When I began to assemble the engine I noticed that the eight screws that secure the jugs to the crankcase were different: four were stainless and four were zinc.

 

[SurfBeat]

Fix It If You Can, Pt II

Because I removed one of the cylinders on one weekend and put the bolts in a baggie and a friend removed the other jug the following weekend and tossed the bolts in a box containing a multitude of bolts, I did not know what bolts he removed.

Albeit it may be possible that my dog saw the bolts on the table and ate four of them or maybe I misplaced them, I doubt that because I expended a couple hours looking for them on my work bench and around the garage.

What I am saying is the d*@#-head mechanic that I paid $1000 to rebuilt my engine probably misplaced the bolts and used a substitute. Now, they worked, but, I like things to be as close to original as possible, especially when I pay to have someone do the job.

Now I had to drive thirty + miles to purchase four bolts because the originals are special flanged bolts that have a shoulder bear the head. One shop wanted $10 a bolt, another $6, then another $4 and then I finally found them for $2. Still, $2 bucks for a bolt is excessive in my opinion.

 

[SurfBeat]

Fix It If You Can, Pt III

Albeit the replacements were about 1/16 shorter than the originals, however, since they had the same numbers stamped on the head as the originals, so I am presuming that SD changed the length.

The long n short of my tale is a recommendation to anyone that owns a PWC is to purchase a SD manual on this site, and a Clymer's for backup, and work on your own machine.

 

[SurfBeat]

Fit It If You Can, Pt IV

Albeit I won't know if I will have accomplish my goal of performing the task correctly until I drop the engine back in the hull and crank it up, however, I'll wager my job was accomplished mo betta than any shop could have done.

 

[SurfBeat]

This is so because I double checked everything and asked questions on the Forum every time I came across something that was not clear, thus I knew everything was done right with no short-cuts.

Moreover, when considering the saving in labor charges, that fact enabled me to buy the expensive screws plus having a lot more moola in my pocket to spend for fun stuff on the River.

Another story out of a million in the Naked City.

 

[seadooya]

McFadden-Dale, has the bolts....Maple/Smith ave, in Corona, chief.

 

[SurfBeat]

I drove down to Brea yesterday to a PWC shop and got em for $2 a piece. The dick head in Beaumont wanted $11 bucks a bolt.

When I got home I noticed that the bolts I purchased were a 1/4" smaller than the originals, however, both had the same ID's no's stamped on the heads. ??

I pulled up the SD parts fische to ensure I got the right ones and it seems like I did, however, I don't have a metric ruler to verify.

Maybe in the rebuild the d#*@-head used the wrongs bolts like he did on the other jug. PIA!

The shop you referred to, is it a PWC shop or a nutz n bolts shop?

 

[seadooya]

Brea.....Pacific Motorsports? Gordon, a cool guy.

The shops' a nut/bolt place.....McFadden-Dale, right around corner from you.

 

[SurfBeat]

Yeah, the guy at Pacific Motorsports was a knowledgeable guy.

I had purchased four replacement flanged bolts at Rainbow Bolt n Suppy here in Riverside, (951 781-0501) however, Greg at Pacific told me that the OEM SD bolt had a shoulder near the head which acts as reinforcement and it would be wise to spend the extra buck a bolt. On his recommendation, I jumped in the car and headed to his shop Brea.

Luck would have it the four bolts I purchased at Pacific were 1/4" smaller, however, when I looked at my Shop Manual that is what was called for. M8x 70.

What I found odd was the fact that the smaller and larger bolts had the same ID numbers on the heads. Maybe a rat chewed on the smaller ones or the bigger once were soaked in Viagara.