OFFICIAL - 450DA Owner's Thread****

The only no-no on oil, provided you stay with a known diesel brand like Delo or RotellaT, is never use multi viscosity oils (like 15W40) in any 3100 series Caterpillar marine engine because the viscosity enhancers in multiscosity oils (i.e. the additive that make the oil change from 40 weight to 15 weight will foul the after coolers.
 
I’d run SAE 40.

We use our boat 12 months a year and it gets in the high 30’s some days in January, but we let the engines develop some heat before putting any load on them ......be sure the idle speed is at 750 rpm until the temp gauge moves, then below 1000 rpm until the temp gets to 180 degrees, then keep below 2400 rpm until the temperature gauge stabilizes at its highest point.
 
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Hi 450DA owners. I'm selling mine. I've got a unique one, the last one off the line in Palm Coast, FL on 24 Aug 1998 if you believe the note Spenc left us under the built-in coffee pot. Some how it was so late the HIN reflects a 1999 model, which must have something to do with the fiscal year? Regardless, she's been well taken care of since I bought her in 2009, and has had quite a few upgrades. Desirable Cummins 450 Diamonds with 750 hours. I serviced the aftercoolers year before last. The listing is on Yacht World, don't know if I can post it here, but message me and I'll send it to you. Great boat, but I'm moving up to a sedan bridge.

Update - I've listed the boat in Classifieds. Here's the link to Yacht World: https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1999/sea-ray-450-sundancer-3659129/
 
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Question for you 450 DA owners. Does the dinette/setter convert to a bed? How is that done? Is it reclining? I love the larger Sundance’s but my kids are getting bigger and need their own beds.
 
Yes, with filler cushions supported by the salon table in its lowest position. Nothing reclines so there is no linear actuator to repair. The filler cushions store in the center compartment in the galley floor when they are not in use.

My boat is a '96 with galley to port; late '97's and up have the galley to stbd and the salon couch is to port so it is smaller than earlier '96 and '97's (hull #'s 500 to 554.) Hull #'s after 554 will have the galley to stbd.

The galley to port models have a larger salon couch that makes up into a full sized double bed. Maybe an owner of a '98-'99 can tell you how big their salon bed is.
 
My port driveline still rotates with the transmission in neutral. I can grab it with my hand and stop it, but when I am bobbing in a marina waiting it doesn't allow the boat to settle down and sit still. Does anyone have any ideas about how to resolve this ?
 
Mark,

Idle speeds faster than 800-850 rpm could cause that, so what are your engine idle speeds......750 rpm is normal for 3116/3126 Cats?

My other thought is that perhaps the shift linkage is a bit out of adjustment allowing the transmission to actually pull a bit when you think you are in neutral. There is a procedure for setting the shift linkage in the ZF/Hurth manual. I can send you a PDF if you need it. If you have Twin Disc gears, I have no manuals you Google will be your friend. Generally, if you disconnect the shift cable from the transmission and move it toward neutral then back to forward, you should get a feel for whether or not your present adjustment is partially engaging the transmissions or not.


Frank
 
thanks, Frank. It's Twin Disc I believe and I may have the manual in the owner's bag... I like your idea of disconnecting the shift cable at the transmission. My idle speed is just above 600 so that's not it.
 
The Bill Collector said:
My port driveline still rotates with the transmission in neutral. I can grab it with my hand and stop it, but when I am bobbing in a marina waiting it doesn't allow the boat to settle down and sit still. Does anyone have any ideas about how to resolve this ?[/QUOTE
The Bill Collector said:
My port driveline still rotates with the transmission in neutral. I can grab it with my hand and stop it, but when I am bobbing in a marina waiting it doesn't allow the boat to settle down and sit still. Does anyone have any ideas about how to resolve this ?
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The Bill Collector said:
thanks, Frank. It's Twin Disc I believe and I may have the manual in the owner's bag... I like your idea of disconnecting the shift cable at the transmission. My idle speed is just above 600 so that's not it.
Click to expand...
Could water current account for that type of slow movement of the shaft?
 
On my 3126's the oil sending unit is mounted in from of the raw water pump and to replace impellers you need to remove it. Does anyone know what size wrench it takes to remove it, I'm afraid of rounding it off with my crescent wrench...
 
The Bill Collector said:
possibly, but wouldn't they both be turning ? and this was in my marina inside the boathouse...
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I’ve noticed mine on the starboard side rotating very slowly, grabbed with my hand as you described, it stopped and I never noticed it again. I was a dock tied up on a single side. Windy day, i chalked it up to the current. I also have twin disks, going to keep an eye on it (if I get launched this year) and read up about the linkage and disconnecting. Keep us posted on your discoveries.
 
I just tried removing mine...I think 9/16 or 5/8 o the top of my head. I was unable to get the sender loose as the T connected to on engine pressure gauge came loose first. I finally gave up. Not enough room to get torque, and I rounded mine even with the right wrench.

I pulled the whole pump (3 big easy to get to bolts) and it wasn’t too bad...starboard is the most difficult to get back in, but practice with the port to get the feel.
 
dtfeld said:
I just tried removing mine...I think 9/16 or 5/8 o the top of my head. I was unable to get the sender loose as the T connected to on engine pressure gauge came loose first. I finally gave up. Not enough room to get torque, and I rounded mine even with the right wrench.

I pulled the whole pump (3 big easy to get to bolts) and it wasn’t too bad...starboard is the most difficult to get back in, but practice with the port to get the feel.
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I'm pulling the whole pump but just the impeller and the oil sending unit is in the way...
 
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