Vancouver is socked in with fog. The picture above is of the downtown with the north shore mountains in the background - the sea planes are grounded and the fog horns are constant in the bay. The first picture is of Vancouver from Cyprus Mountain looking south over the city.
Paramount is readied to return to the yard for the engines to go back in.
We could not have done this project without the internet. The Commander Forum was a great source in locating parts, and for learning how other owners had approached similar work on their boats. Craigslist was the source for the two spare engines, that provided choice parts for the rebuilds and for locating the fresh-water risers from Troy in Springfield. eBay lead us to the Chris Craft original engine decals and engine tags.
Shrouded in fog Paramount rolls out of the barn after an extended stay in "intensive care", every inch of the gal has been gone over and the engines are "BTN" (better than new) the performance Edelbrock intake manifold eliminates the "hot spot" cross-over in the Ford design, carbon it was found, builds up here and chokes the engine. The increase in horse-power was surprising.
Every screw has been removed and re-bedded on her topsides and hull. Let it rain! She will be dry. Enough of this fog.
Pacific Parts workshop have done a brilliant job rebuilding the engines, "G" the machinist responsible for the build is featured here over-seeing the return. When it comes to classic anything an extra keen sense of time and patience is required. P's engines were all stock 40 year old iron legends when they arrived at Pete's - original to the nuts and bolts. G is young enough to realize the old saying is true; they don't build them like they use to.
He's gone the extra mile to build them with pride.
Doug and Scotty watch with horror as the big blocks fly through the fog.
All in a days work, the crane operator Gord, relaxed as ever. G has a grip.
One in and over it must go, standard rotation is moved to port and the counter-rotation comes in and goes straight down.
There is Gord again - Cool Hand Luke, reclining as he moves 1000 lbs of steel with one finger.
Here Doug holds the brush handle out the port salon window to guide Gord, and Gord brings in the boom for the lifting of the port engine over from the starboard engine bay on the mark!
"Captain Scotty" keeps an eye on the 3" of clearance and protects the gel-coat and window edge - just in case Gord slips - never.
Port is in place and the second engine comes in for the starboard side.
It is a beautiful thing to see a 40 year old engine recycled and renewed. The rush for new misses the quality of old.
G and Scott over-seeing the installation.
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