So I blew my top end up, I think I forgot a cooling line. As soon as I could feel it running weak I killed it, but I think it was too late. I could smell it. She was gone. Expensive licoriceing mistake but one I hopefully won't make again.
So I need a top end with 6 weeks left of the season. One (three) quick calls to
@Jr. and this ported top end appeared on my doorstep in three days. Top service from the man.
Cleaned my chamber up in the parts washer at work. Looks good now. Took the ski out. 10-15m of great riding, nice easy break in.
And then it all came undone. Ski would run for 15 seconds and die. Paul thought I may be getting water into the combustion chamber - it only happened coincidentally as soon as I saw water from the pisser. In retrospect, this may have just coincided with how much fuel was in the carb. Checked my o-rings, looked good. Checked the exhaust gasket, didn't look great. Faced my FP manifold at work on the Bridgeport. Paul sent me a new one as well as a new base gasket since I checked that was seated properly too. My waterbox was rattling, surely that was it! Cut it open, baffle is loose. Okay, so I welded it back up sans baffle. Back to the lake, same issue. Take my jetting back to as before, same issue. Something is really weird. Changed my ignition coil, stator, CDI, SAME ISSUE!
Sitting at home ranting, my wife comes with me to the lake and sees me run and immediately says "Sounds like you aren't getting any fuel." "No no it can't be, I didn't even open the fuel pump side up! It's the same as I've been running all year!" Labor day morning, I decided I'm gonna get to the bottom of this. Pulled my carb off and...
Fuel pump side was disgusting. Internal filter totally full of poop. In line fuel filter looked good. I've been running this carb since May with no issues. I canot believe it ever ran like this! Huge thanks to Paul. Worked with me through every issue, even though ultimately it was nothing to do with him.
Next issue is finding a tank and paint. Honestly, the 550 tank fits so well, I might just get a repro Ty-n-Fly one. I tried an LS 4 gal and it was too big, I believe stock SJ is too big too. Not a huge fan of fitting stuff in this hull but it is what it is.
Glass, paint, re-turf, and improve my footholds this winter. And I will be moving the pole an inch or so back towards me. I'm running at the absolute longest setting right now and it's just long enough, I figured I can move it forward a hair and still have plenty of shortening adjustment. I'm thinking a plain white paint with black turf, and purple accents. Then I can add stickers over the top if I so choose to.