SC288

Looks like Tyson's Skater. I have 280 plates if interested.

kidturbo

Sometimes the best laid plans don't always pan out.. On this project, it could have been the boats name..

So we pick up the clutches from UPS early Sat morning, open the box, discover they are exact same Borg Warner clutch just pulled out smoked... Seems that cross-referencing of clutches is as acceptable as generic drugs over here in the states. But in the end, there was no need to put them back together with clutches we know won't hold up. Decided I would track down the right clutch Monday and have the transmissions shipped back to OH.

Tyson and I spent a couple hours Saturday checking the 1-2 shifting valves and such. Then I headed home via slight detour, and took the wife for a drive around LOTO. Stopped in and made a small donation to shootout sponsor Capt Ron's. Next I took a tour of Performance Boat Center candy store. Where I finally got to check out the poker run edition Baja 40OL "Split Decision", along with few 130mph plus toys setting around there. That place is my new favorite marina.


On the way out the door, I almost stumbled over a pair of engines that looked very familiar. Fightclubs old power that last ran these two speed transmission I was just working on... Whats that odds of that??

kidturbo

They are a GM 4T80E 3rd gear clutch that gets cut down .100". Each transmission has 10.

After some help from internet friends, I was able to locate and verify a supplier with the same clutch we replaced back in 2019. Best option available at this time. These are a radial or sunburst groove pattern, on a little better material than the BW clutch. Hope this and more pressure resolves our slippage issues.

stirling

Is the owner shipping the Baja to down under ? Or is he plan to keep it in the US ?

kidturbo

It's heading to Australia soon as we work out the bugs. The way things are looking here in the states, I'd ship it today and finish there if AU would allow me into the country..
Have considered stowing away in it...

Keith Atlanta

You are so thorough. Some of this stuff is bizarre. You've got shakedown on top of shakedown that Im sure nobody ever imagined. Cool project nonetheless!

It will be totally worth it very soon!

kidturbo

Ya think maybe all this one-off hardware could have anything to do with it?

I liked things better when the Duramax engine was the oddest thing in my 21' boat. Now we have a 1000hp automotive diesel, custom built two speed transmissions, hooked to the rarest surface drives ever conceived. Yeah all that should work well together right outa the box....


At LOTO I get to looking closely at the couple years newer, sister boat "Split Decision". One of the other 2 Baja's factory rigged with Merc 6's. And quickly noticed she has a 14" or so transom notch. WTF.... Nothing is normal. NOTHING!!

stirling

Its a long long way ,make sure you have enough sandwiches 🥪😁

kidturbo

While here in the states, Dave accumulated enough stuff to send home that VooDoo is actually gonna be a 40' Conex box disguised as boat on a trailer when it reaches Jacksonville. The cabin door needs a 64,000lb GVW sticker on it.

So by time we reach the Panama Canal, figure I'll be eating steaks and sleeping sound in the ships captains quarters.. Lord knows there is enough seasonings and sauces onboard to barter a first mates room at least.. LOL

I must apologize for my off topic rants. But at the end of Feb we were both in Florida making progress and feeling good about how things were progressing. Luckily that drive exploded or Dave would be living in my basement today, wishing AU would just let him come home. Now I'm stuck between hauling the boat back to Coronaville FL where I have plenty of qualified help, or continuing to hide out here in the sticks and single hand all these remaining projects. It's a Lose Lose situation some days..

Maybe I'll just google this shipping company registry, FB snoop the captain, and see what brand of liquor he prefers...

stirling