My First GTX

[etemplet]

a 1996 I bought 2 years ago Gave up the ghost. Not bad for an engine that had not been opened for 24 years. I had an engine at home ready to go and nothing to put it in. LOL Finally got to clean up under the engine and inside the hull. LOL I wonder if it is gonna keep up with my wife's ski? I thought about building a "wife beater" engine but the parts were just too far gone. All the other skis are on hold for a couple of days till I get the engine back in this girl. Here is the carnage.

 

[etemplet]

As the dead bodies are laying on the floor "still".... the new powerplant is being resurrected. I'm not using too many of the orignal parts, not even the Rotary Valve cover and I did machine the one I am installing as soon as the paint dries sufficiently. I need a sandblaster but I don't like them for the mess they make and the humidity down here in South Loosiana. Sure would make the paint prep and generaly clean up easier and more efficient. I got the Pipes cleaned and painted of course I found water leak that needs to be fixed. I'll be doing the final assembly and doing my favority thing.... tweakin...

 

[etemplet]

@mikidymac I am switching this ski back to oil injection from premix.

 

[AKnarrowback]

That motor looks like it has seen a lot of abuse.

When I worked on DOOs I rebuilt the 94 SP my Son has today. It's been through multiple owners, lots of fuel, sunk once and ridden hard. Good to know my rebuild has lasted 25 years and still runs strong.

What type of paint are you using on the motor? It looks sharp!

 

[etemplet]

Yes, I'm sure this ski saw some abuse. When I got it, it had "no spark" issues. When I pulled the mag the housing was it was full of corrosion like it got very wet. I cleaned it as best I could and wanted to prevent the corrosion from coming back which is why the mag housing is painted with Glyptal It's good stuff. Internal water would explain the engine failure a bit better for me and you got me thinking.... Likely the ski took on a lot of water which explains the electrical issues I've had with it. It sure forced me to learn a lot about the electrics. Baptism by fire. The main problem was the trigger coil had metal particals and funk on it and it couldn't see the rotor pass. It would start sometimes and run great but most times it didn't get fire. Took me a while to find it as the trigger and mag tested good externally.

This is what it looked like and of the few skis I've done I haven't seen one running that looks anything like this.

 

[etemplet]

Yep your buld lasted a long time. That paint is Rustoleum Antique White. I'm pretty sure that is what matched my first engine I built. LOL I'll get the type of Rustoleum it is. Took a long time to dry thoroughly which usually means it will last. I hate it when I use the last of a paint that matches and throw it away without writing down the numbers. I don't write much stuff down because ya can't find it when you need it. Ha ha.

I couldn't find the matching Purple so I'm improvising on that as well. The one I have it a little more pinkish. I think there is a thread on the forum that mention paint colors that match. I used Hammered Silver for the Silver stuff. Close enough. It's what's inside that counts. I appreciate the comments and input. That goes a long way !!!

 

[mikidymac]

Pretty sure that old engine just needed an new battery and maybe a new starter, should have had it running for about $80, LOL.

 

[Ckrawiec]

Yep your buld lasted a long time. That paint is Rustoleum Antique White. I'm pretty sure that is what matched my first engine I built. LOL I'll get the type of Rustoleum it is. Took a long time to dry thoroughly which usually means it will last. I hate it when I use the last of a paint that matches and throw it away without writing down the numbers. I don't write much stuff down because ya can't find it when you need it. Ha ha.

I couldn't find the matching Purple so I'm improvising on that as well. The one I have it a little more pinkish. I think there is a thread on the forum that mention paint colors that match. I used Hammered Silver for the Silver stuff. Close enough. It's what's inside that counts. I appreciate the comments and input. That goes a long way !!!

Beautiful work.....I learn a lot from your posting pictures and your commentary.

 

[etemplet]

Just trying to pass it on. Pictures are worth many words to me. LOL

 

[etemplet]

I dropped a few pipes off at the weld shop and ordered some mounting bushings for the exhaust. guess I"ll open up the starter even though it hasnt been that long. Hope to have time tomorrow to install and align the engine. Trying not to get it dirty on the install is a difficult task. LOL

 

[Ckrawiec]

so pretty......dayum....is that your shop space? I would kill for that kinda space......, so jealous!

 

[mikidymac]

Etemplet, buy the SuperTech brake cleaner at walmart by the case instead of the expensive AutoZone stuff

 

[etemplet]

so pretty......dayum....is that your shop space? I would kill for that kinda space......, so jealous!

I guess we all want somethiung bigger. LOL I Have another 25' x 30' that attaches to this one. Cement floor is down I just need to put the rest of the building up. It's a mess right now, but I'm working on getting these skis out.

 

[etemplet]

Etemplet, buy the SuperTech brake cleaner at walmart by the case instead of the expensive AutoZone stuff

Is it cheaper? I only buy it on sale. $3.00 a can sometimes 2 for $5.00

 

[mikidymac]

I think it's always under $3.

 

[etemplet]

Not enough $$ savings for the BS at Walmart. I'm keeping the local Autozone in business. I'm in and out in 10 minutes max. LOL

 

[etemplet]

Funny thing about this rotary valve, Ski started fine and no marks on the housing, either side. I had another ski that looked like that also thta was difficult to start but the clearance was excessive and the cover plate worn. No evidence that anything went through that valve either.

Got the oil pump mounted and system primed up.

It is a pain to prep these things for paint. So much paint, so many coats make it work to remove it. Kinda difficult to justify such Tom foolery cuz nobody is gonna see it when the seat is on.

 

[etemplet]

Talke about a turn of events.... now I'm wondering about installing this, the electronic box, buckshot carbs and FActory Pipe. Anyone have an idea of the performace gains that might be achieved with this set up? I wonder if the XP performance nozzle would make a difference on the GTX. I got lots of parts but the stock engine is 1 hour from ready to install. Tough decision.

 

[etemplet]

OK OK.... I went with the Off-White engine in the GTX. LOL It's in there, lined up , carbs mounted, and should be ready to go. I just have to do the exhaust and install the jet pump. I'm gonna go ahead and get the gauges and all working. If this ski does not keep up with my wife's I will resort to cheating. Enough is enough.

Side note: Since my shop was designed for tractors and automobile access I can only fit one or two jet skis in there and only on single trailers. I've resorted to using a 10 X 10 canopy in the yard. It works for me. I'm gonna close in the other 25 X 30 which should be nice. I do a lot of zigging and zagging in the shop walking around. LOL

 

[etemplet]

So much for that 99.9% of the oil pumps are never a problem. While converting this ski back to oil injection... AFTER I got everything all primed up and ready to go I see air in the oil line after the engine sat a day. I charged it again with the engine hanging over the ski and bam... air again. This sumbish almost went back to premix. I had to find another oil pump, clean it up, make it reasonable pretty and charge the lines again. It sure is easy to do away with the oil pump and you're done for good. No adjusting, lines, filters, or anything and the throttle is easier to operate. No one will ever get an argument from me on dissing the oil pump system. LOL That said... the GTX is fully converted to original.

 

[etemplet]

I am reminded on THIS ski, why I go through EVERYTHING when I restore a ski. Since I didn't restore this one, only got it running correctly and rode it..... it being my first one and all, I'm finding a few items that were in pitiful condition. I touched the Reverse Cable and the end piece broke off.... no neoprene gasket on the jet pump, LOL It was a salt water ski or had some time on salt water so those issues were involved as well. This is gonna be one fine ski when I am done. Very close now. New Reverse Cable has arrived so this girl is going on the water very soon... gonna be so nice!!

 

[etemplet]

Getting Closer.

 

[etemplet]

Yea Bay-Bee... man that jet pump gave me the business yesterday but I built a good one out of two that I had. Of course I had to spiff it up as I went. LOL Water ready for break-in but I'm thinking of some mild "bling." maybe some carbon fiber on the glove box. I have to repaint the hood so that will slow me down a bit.

I made a little video and have a picture of my wife's ski in there too... the one she beats up on me with. LOL Having fun... I like workin on these thing more than riding them.

Gene's GTX

 

[etemplet]

I guess I'm getting a little video happy. Made one of me priming the oil lines on the GTX. Not much to see but some may wonder and a picture is worth 1000 words and video might be worth 2000. Ha Ha. Drill motor turning in reverse, oil pump throttle wired wide open.

Oil line priming video 1996 GTX

 

[etemplet]

Dis freakin thing... I contacted Mikidymac on getting air in my injection oil feed line to the mag cylinder. I changed pumps because this happened and now I find out the fittings going into the intake are check valves. Hmmm.... wonder why us old school guys go premix???.... yup... no BS mix and ride. Anyway I am resolved in getting the system spot on. I'm gonna see if I can get the check working without replacing the fitting and.... without pulling the intake. I am gonna kick this ski in the nutz for being ornery.

I'll be working on the gauges next. I bought a speedo I just need to get the info gauge sorted. I'll probably take it apart but sealing them back up is difficult. Don't want moisture in there.