1978 Viking rebuild

[XstreamVking]

Awesome job on the steering wheel

[tnelsmn]

Windshield is mounted.

The lower trim got lost in the shuffle from when it was removed 15 years ago. So a new one was made. A leftover piece of the rub rail that was formed was used to make the lower trim. The Eastwood metal shrinker came in handy once agin.

It looks so much better with the windshield!

[mrichartz]

Looks good! So when is it getting wet?
Windshields just slow you down.. lol

[tnelsmn]

Looks good! So when is it getting wet?
Windshields just slow you down.. lol

The hold up is going to be the upholstery shop. I'm just a few days worth of work away from having everything done. But also currently buried under large amounts of side work. So I don't get much time on the boat currently other than bringing it to work with me on the weekends.

My overall goal its Memorial weekend at this point.

[Jmr1974]

The hold up is going to be the upholstery shop. I'm just a few days worth of work away from having everything done. But also currently buried under large amounts of side work. So I don't get much time on the boat currently other than bringing it to work with me on the weekends.

My overall goal its Memorial weekend at this point.

how long should it take a upholstery shop to do the work? I need to get my front seats and rear seat done bye next spring. My plan was to have my boat done this summer but that won’t happen so I’m aiming for next summer. Just wanna make sure I get my seats to a shop with enough time so that can happen, like everything else these days they’re probably understaffed and way backed up.

[tnelsmn]

how long should it take a upholstery shop to do the work? I need to get my front seats and rear seat done bye next spring. My plan was to have my boat done this summer but that won’t happen so I’m aiming for next summer. Just wanna make sure I get my seats to a shop with enough time so that can happen, like everything else these days they’re probably understaffed and way backed up.

I can't really say for sure. I would think just a week or two. The shop I'm using is a single lady that does it all on her own. I'm willing to wait since she does incredible work for a fair price. I told her I wasn't in a rush. I'm still waiting to hear back for when she wants me to drop it off. I'll probably bug her agin in a week. I'm nearly done with everything else.

[tnelsmn]

Fuel tank is in!

I had to change the filler neck just slightly to clear the battery. The battery wasn't in when I mocked up the tank initially. Was able to use the original filler cap that used to be mounted on the bow for the old forward tank.

Working on bleeding the steering system at this point.

Also having a few small parts 3D printed to work with the SeaStar dual throttle adapter I picked up. The unit is made for different cables than the Gen 1 Mercury pieces. This thing is going to be temporary for now. I ordered a peddle from Sjöberg Racing that is like the old L&S units that allow for hand or foot operation. It will be much less clunky than the SeaStar unit I have now. But he is somewhere is Europe so I imagine it will take some time before it arrives. Sadly the nice new EZ Foot throttle I bought from Gary here won't be used for very long.

Tony.

[tnelsmn]

Well it turns out the SeaStar throttle adapter thing-a-ma-bob isn't going to work for me. So I ordered new cables and ran both to the engine. I guess that's not so bad, quick and easy to swap out. When the new peddle from Sjöberg Racing arrives I'll swap it all agin.

The steering seems to be bled out at this point. If I grab the engine I can move it maybe 1/4-1/2" total at the rearmost point of the cav plate. It feels solid.

A new water pump and corresponding seals was installed in the lower unit. The lower was finally installed on the engine. I couldn't help myself knowing the prop shaft seals are 40 some years old. So I attempted to remove them with out pulling the carrier. That didn't work, tools for pulling the carrier are on order and I'll do it properly. With the lower on I was able to check engine height. My math was off and I ended up about 1" lower than I planned on for the jack plate. The engine was raised to the lowest hole and this puts it 3/8" above the pad with the plate fully raised.

With the lower on we were finally able to fire the engine for the first time in 17 years. It wasn't running quite right at first due to a crack in the fuel pump housing(because I over tightened the inlet fitting). I pulled that and welded it quick and it ran great following that.

The trailer got some new wheels and tires as well. There was nothing wrong with what was there, I just really wanted a set of slot mags due to the original trailer having them my whole life. I think the polished looks better anyway.

A few random pictures when I pulled it outside in the sunlight.

Still waiting on upholstery...

[Baker343]

Impressive restore, especially a rig thats been in your family that long. Motor sounds great too.
So is that a late 70's 2L with early 80's 2.4 175 cowlings.
Look forward to seeing how it performs when you play with setups and props.

[tnelsmn]

Impressive restore, especially a rig thats been in your family that long. Motor sounds great too.
So is that a late 70's 2L with early 80's 2.4 175 cowlings.
Look forward to seeing how it performs when you play with setups and props.

To the best of my knowledge it's a 78 2.0, by the serial number on the clamp and it still has actual choke plates, not enrichment valves. According to the websites selling vintage decals, these are 1980. The clamshells have been on it as long as my family has owned it. Unchanged since 1980.

[XstreamVking]

You built a great boat. Got it looking like new again.

[mrichartz]

I would say that's better than new..thing looks awesome.

[tnelsmn]

Thanks guys! Can’t wait for the upholstery to be done. That’s really going to pull it all together. Doing original style back to backs with a bit more modern color and pattern.

[25two.stroke]

Thanks guys! Can’t wait for the upholstery to be done. That’s really going to pull it all together. Doing original style back to backs with a bit more modern color and pattern.

I would be interested in what the complete seat assemblies weigh before they go in...if you have a means of weighing them. I am just starting my '84 vking rebuild...

[Baker343]

To the best of my knowledge it's a 78 2.0, by the serial number on the clamp and it still has actual choke plates, not enrichment valves. According to the websites selling vintage decals, these are 1980. The clamshells have been on it as long as my family has owned it. Unchanged since 1980.

Should be a runner with that light setup and early 2L.
I would think you could pull a 26p to mid 70's to low 80's with some testing. Definitely will put a smile on your face.
Nice work