RESTO SeadooDAN's 96 XP build thread

[dgoodwin10]

I spent yesterday afternoon putting the motor back together. Since the cases I was using had some damage, I just couldn't let them go in a flipper ski so I grabbed another set I had and rebuilt from there.

Just a side note- the cases I used were an original bottom end from another XP I'd bought that ran when I got it, so I assumed all was well on the inside. Wrong. The counterbalance oil looked like a milkshake, so the bearings exposed to that oil were a time bomb. If I'd run this motor, the damage would have been spectacular. So for anyone reading this, do your due diligence before you run a used motor. They're really not hard to disassemble and a few hours now can prevent a horrible weekend on the water and a sizable repair bill.

 

[dgoodwin10]

Motor is almost ready to get painted and dropped in.

I should fire it this weekend since I have no plans this weekend.

Speaking of things I should be doing.... cleaning my parts shelf should be on that list. .

 

[dgoodwin10]

I got the 787 ready to drop back in the ski last night after bolting the MAG assembly on, pressure tested it and gave it a quick touch up with paint. The RAVE caps will be getting swapped since those are my sacrificial paint caps.It'll be back in the ski tonight after I replace the exhaust hose I blew a hole in.

 

[dgoodwin10]

The XP is back in the garage again! The motor is in and aligned and the carbs are on. Once I get a few minor things done to the SPXs, I'll finish assembling this XP for the last (hopefully) time and take it for a test spin.

 

[dgoodwin10]

I'm planning to get the XP and 98 SPX buttoned up this weekend. The next step for both is to fix the leaking grommet at the bottom of the oil tank. I'm wading through the forums now, but what's the fix for that?

And since every post needs a good picture:

 

[mikidymac]

The fix is just new grommets. Always works for me.

 

[1of500]

Premix is the fix

 

[dgoodwin10]

The fix is just new grommets. Always works for me.

I figured the fix was far more complicated than that....

Premix is the fix

I am running premix on this ski, so I know I could loop the lines. I guess it just makes me feel better with a full oil tank?

 

[dgoodwin10]

Double Post.

 

[1of500]

Go to an auto parts store and get this

 

[dgoodwin10]

Few updates from today:

The hood was painted black:

Since this XP now has an SPX MPEM in it, I picked up a set of gauges from a 97 SPX to replace the roached ones that were original. With 1 hole open I did some experimenting with an old gauge to fill the hole:

And the result:

I also got the exhaust and carb linkages back on, so it's ready for a test fire tomorrow.

 

[Matt Braley]

Looking good man.

 

[pwgsx]

Find a VTS gauge from a 98, 99 XP and swap your cracked one out

 

[SIMPLEARKANSAN]

It's update time! After some number crunching on the parts that I need for the XPs, I decided to look into buying another parts ski. And yes, that is what #2 was originally for, but I have decided that I want it running as well... And soon. I had taken some pictures when I was at the salvage yard before and remembered a GSX that looked bad on the outside, but was clean up under the hood, so I called them up and agreed on a price for a '96 GSX that's complete, but cosmetically ROUGH shape, as you can see below.

I will be into this ski for about $50 less than just parts were going to run me anyway. The race ski will be getting the GSX bars and cover, painted black with a yellow pad. And with the GSX bars comes the Info gauge control buttons, which got me to thinking.... Why not try and put the GSX gauges into the XP hood? I haven't seen it done (which there may be a reason), but I think the end result would be sweet. I'm still doing some thinking on that.

Ill be sure to post pictures when the GSX in on my trailer. Stay tuned! Build time is almost here!


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Where is this Salvage yard located? Haven't found anything quite like it here in Arkansas. I'd love to be able to do a little browsing!

 

[ejolliffe]

i second that on the salvage yard! Nothing like that in North Dakota!

 

[dgoodwin10]

It's just outside of Auburn, AL. Going to visit Auburn alone is worth it... This is just icing on the cake if you're a Seadoo guy!The left side of the picture is all boats and seadoos and the building is slam full of parts too. It's impressive to say the least.

 

[dgoodwin10]

Just to update:

I've had ole #2 out for a few weekends and it's run great so far. I have a few loose ends to tie up before it's for sale, but I plan to test some more and have it for sale in a few weeks. It's been great to see this ski back on the water!

 

[dean.mohr]

This 7 pages was an emotional roller coaster! Whew.

 

[dgoodwin10]

#2 was listed on Craigslist the week of July 4th and I think I could have sold it 3 times over! I was surprised at how much interest I had in it.

Just a heads up to anyone looking at the BT seat covers: I always buy at Black Friday prices, so I think these are decent buys at that price. This cover was yellow vinyl and non-slip black and while the vinyl was alright quality, the non- slip was really soft and difficult to work with- the cover being cut incorrectly didn't help either. Moral of the story- you get what you pay for.


It was a bittersweet day yesterday as I cleaned it up to go to its new owner.

For those of you paying attention, that picture was taken in a new garage (well...carport)- MINE! I closed on my first house a month ago, so my parts inventory and skis will be making a move across town in the coming weeks. I'll be building a shop in the next year, but for now I'll be making due with 2 10x11 storage buildings. One unit will be dedicated entirely to Seadoo stuff, with my 97 SPX, 96 XP race ski, 2001 GTX and parts bins (6 and counting) residing in there until they are rebuilt.