Classic Australian Wooden Power Boat Association

After nearly 20 years of running 6 cylinder Holden engines in Ski Boats and Hydroplanes without ever fitting a Balancer I am wondering what has occurred for you to need to fit one in your Seacraft ?

Wild Woody

Just a mechanic here that's not happy with an engine vibration around the 3000 rpm. Most would dismiss it as nothing or wouldn't hear it at all. I guess in the long run I'm just seeking to improve the set up, fix the vibration, and ultimately have a very reliable boat. A lot said I didn't need to do the mods to the sump and oil system "because they've always been that way". It didn't mean it was right in my eyes. Ultimately I believe it should have a balancer at the non drive end of the crank.

Fair enough, I thought that you may have had a major problem , prevention better than cure.

Wild Woody

Went and found some lovely flat water at Narracan today and had a nice little win with my work on this engine vibration.
So now with running just the flex plate the vibration has all but gone and what little that is left has shifted up the rev range to approx. 3500rpm.
I am now confident that running a harmonic balancer should eliminate any vibration issues so long as I'm careful with my selection of weight and durometer specifications. Happy days. It was also a warm day. Testing took 5 mins......emptying the full fuel tank took 2 1/2 hrs of running at full noise. The circuit at Narracan thru the ski club area and back is a hoot.

Would of loved to be on that water today but had other commitments.
My boats have not seen water since Xmas day .

Always another day mate.

No turning back now. Made a start on the teardown.

Big day. Most of the hard stuff with gutting the boat has been done. No real surprises yet. Just a lot of loose and worn interior timber work. Some cracking found also. Hope to flip it soon and get to the bum.

Glad to see someone is in the shed doing something!!

Not without the heater Ray!