New guy with 95 SPX

[jkskier]

Hi guys,

Just got a couple 95 SPX models from a friend who wanted out from under them. Basically I'm $600 in on this deal and it included a galvanized trailer, so pretty happy thus far. Both have some gouging in the hull, and between my neighbor being a fiberglass guy and a recommendation to contact Gelcote for the gel coat, I think that it handled. One has a blown engine; the head is off and there are chunks of piston everywhere. That will be my donor for the 'good' one. Right now the goal is to get the good one in the water and run it this summer.

I have a few amateur questions and am hoping you guys will oblige.

1. The hose that goes to the coolant bypass exit port, near the front on the starboard...that isn't hooked up to anything on the engine side and there are no obvious candidates for where it goes. Anyone know where I should be looking? (Edit: looks like a battery overflow line)
2. The 2 electrical prongs on the front of the engine next to the electrical connection and just behind the battery...what are they used for? (Edit: Apparently for plug wires)
3. Is there a way to clean up the rear grab handle without the material pilling up and coming off?
4. The handlebar cover is toast, it literally broke apart as it came off. Is there a kit to give this thing more of a MX/simplified configuration?
5. I have yet to see any convenient drains for the fuel and oil tanks. Do I look harder or use a transfer pump? (Edit: found a bottom port for oil, not fuel, guess transfer pump for this one)

If you guys see anything else in the pictures that looks sketchy, I'd sure appreciate you calling it out.

Thanks fellas!

 

[onefast66nova]

Well it appears to still have the dreaded grey tempo fuel lines. If it was me I would change out the fuel lines and disassemble the carbs to at least clean the internal filters. As far as the #2 in your pic you are correct saying those are for the plug wires. I was a noob and didn't know that and had a ski blow up in my face so now I tell everyone I can do it don't happen to them! As soon as you remove the plug wires ground them there even if you don't plan on cranking it. That will as we say stamp your hard drive so it will become second nature. Also if it is not already deleted the oil injection lines from injection pump to intake need to be changed. They are 3/32 tygon available at lawn mower shop or eBay. eBay is a lot cheaper.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Clean or replace the fuel selector as well.

 

[jkskier]

Thanks for the wisdom. Why is it that the plug wires need to be put on those prongs, anyways? How would the ski blow up? Do these systems lack some sort of voltage regulator/resistor that things like cars have?

I'll get some new lines, fuel selector, should probably get new plugs while I'm at it. This first week or so will probably be research and putting together a shopping list.

I'll do some looking around for threads on oil delete conversions and carb cleaning. I just rebuilt the carb on my CR250 this past Winter and that was a success, so hopefully this will be easy enough.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Spark can ignite fumes that are lingering.

Don't need to delete oil pump just replace the lines.

 

[jkskier]

Ski is dropped off at the neighbor's for some fiberglass repair. Dave from Gelcote is supposed to call me back today to discuss what I need in that area.

I've managed to locate most of what I need, but the lines have me a bit hesitant. Trying to get this all figured out so I can place one order while the ski is having hull repair.

SS Oetiker clamps, single or double ear? Sizing...do I buy Oetiker clamps that match the OD or ID of the hose? I.e. my fuel lines will be 1/4" ID and 3/8" OD, what size Oetiker clamp? Here is the fuel line I'm looking at:

http://fuel-line.com/products/1-4-fast-flow-fuel-line-1

Tygon was recommended for oil so I'll find that in the various sizes. How about water/coolant? What is the material/spec on that stuff? I have this crazy idea that I can retube the whole ski and color code (translucent) by fluid.

Pre-start checklist...This thing hasn't run in a couple of years. Should I be spraying something down the plug holes prior to starting? Checking out anything else in particular?

Can my BM38I carb use the same internal fuel filters as the more commonly referenced BN38?

 

[jkskier]

It's been about a week and I've been busy with work, but have laid out the cash to get a few things moving. Fuel selector switch and knob, clamps and clamper, plugs, oil filter, carb fuel filters, and a few other things on the way. My neighbor will have the skis back to me tomorrow morning with a coat of primer on the repairs. There were three gouges and a couple of them had holes. He sanded into them and applied a series of fiberglass patches to build it back up, finishing with dynaglass (pictured). Next up is to order hoses and gelcoat.