Project Hydrostream Vulture

[Hippie459MN]

Well, I got the two holes in the bottom of the dash filled. Just painted the heads of two small carriage bolts and then got that dang busted up decal off the dash. Looks much better! Just baby steps right now. LoL

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Going to work on getting this hub put back together on the trailer then maybe roll it out side and give it a good wash.

Also, my rub rail I have will just snap over the lip and wondering what anyone might recommend to hold it on there? Like a caulk or silicone or something and should I put it on the entire thing or maybe just every for it so run a short bead. I don't know. Would like to maybe get that done tomorrow.

[ Post made via Android ]

[Hippie459MN]

Well, I managed to push the bird out in to the sunlight for the first time in a year and gave it a good long over due bath a few days ago! Hopefully I will get to work on getting the bodywork in the back done so I can get the jack plate mounted and the rub rail put on. I was going to do the rub rail this past weekend but realized I need to do some paining in the back so thats on hold for now. I know im taking baby steps here but its better than no steps.

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[alaskastreamin]

Kevin, If you look at the article on the IHR that I wrote, I put the G shaped plastic rail (purchased from Spaeth) over the aluminum rail on my Viking, stretched it, and used a pop rivet at each end.
On a side note, is the factory aluminum rail even thickness or is it thicker on the face? If it could be even thickness, I figured I could make a die to draw (pull) aluminum flatbar and form a replacement. There is a you tube video titled "Dwarf 49 Ford" that a guy hand built. He made his stainless trim with this method and just a snippit is shown on the video. Got me thinking....

It's at 4:20.

[Hippie459MN]

I dont have the factory rub rail anymore. Someone along the lines before me took it off. Not sure why. There is a lot of mysteries with this thing. lol

I have a super low profile rub rail and will just push over the edge. Im going to just put a thin bead of silicone in it as I put it on so it will keep it on there and them maybe run small screw in it in the very back on both side. Nothing crazy.

Here is what I am working with.

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[alaskastreamin]

That’s not a bad option.
I may play with making a drawing die and if it works, let people borrow it and they could make their own rails at home. Get the annnealed aluminum in a coil and go to town.
Sounds so simple right??

Ok get that sucker on .

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Hippie459MN]

I want to get the body work stuff sorted out before I stick it on. Hopefully this weekend I can get started on it and then get the rub rail on. Going to pick up some supplies tomorrow hopefully and get to work on it.

[ Post made via Android ]

[Hippie459MN]

Well, HUGE thank you to nitro_rat for the "true" dual cable helm. Now to figure this thing out and what cables it will use. I can't find any real info on it in Teleflaex/SeaStars web site or on the internet really based on the number on the back plate deal. I will eventually go hydraulic but right now this is the cheapest route to get me on the water sooner. The original Teleflex NFB helm I have is a dual cable, single mount so in theory, its not a "true" dual cable. And the dang cable(s) for it are $500 with shipping. With this one I can buy two separate cables at about $150 each and have a true dual cable steering.

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Here is the number on the plate if anyone can find more info on it than I can.

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Next question, should I grease this or anything? There is some in there but im assuming its from the old cables.

[Hippie459MN]

Well, I contacted SeaStar and they got me all the info and paperwork for the helm. Also is been a very long time since they made this, that's why I wasn't finding any info. But I got it all now and know what cables to get.



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[Hippie459MN]

Get the old helm and cables out today and cleaned up the dash the best I could and put the other helm in and it fit perfect even with the two angle wedges.

Out with the old...

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Here is the old helm/rack. I thought it was just the cables that were frozen, once I got the helm out and the cable(s) off of it, the helm was not totally frozen but was very very tight and extremely hard to turn and the cables are frozen solid. So between the two, the whole system was junk.

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And the new helm/rack all installed. Now to just get some cables for it and a new steering wheel and I will be all set for that part.

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Slowly but surely!

[Hippie459MN]

I was out in the garage waiting for a guy to come buy some old mud truck parts I had listed on Facebook and decided to take a look at the sending unit on my gas tank cause I knew it didnt work and was planning to buy another one so I figured, cant get any more non working than it already is. So I took the whole thing apart, cleaned everything up, ran an additional ground wire as the base wasnt getting a good solid connection and what do ya know, it work and it works great! Saved myself $20-$30 there. I know its not much but its one more thing I can cross off the list. I didnt get any pictures of it all tore apart but it was pretty simple.

Here a re few pictures for the heck of it showing that its working and getting good solid readings.

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