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1997 sunsetter VLX


jamespjackson95

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Finally was able to join the malibu crew because I recently purchased a 97 sunsetter vlx. The boat needs new upholstery and needs a rear engine cover sunpad(original was lost).... So I'm thinking about adding wrap around seating as well as building the subpad into 3 separate lids like the early 2000s wakesetters. The boat seemed to run fine, but liked to cut off while idling some times immediately and some times after 10 or so seconds of idling.... I pulled the gas tank out today and emptied that old gas, and I will also do a full tune up, hoping that will fix the problem. Also the boat was used occasionally in salt water and has a little bit of surface rust on engine mounts and on the bolts on the vdrive... What should I do about this? It has brand new exhaust manifolds and the injectors were just cleaned. Boat came with a wakeboard tower, rack, and tandem trailer. I will have the boat upholstered, add perfect pass, integrated ballast system, and rev 10s. Btw I paid 5700 so I'm satisfied with the condition of the upholstery for the price.

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Nice pick up. It'll be a great boat with a little tlc. I had the same year and model for several years and really liked the boat. I had also wanted wrap around seating but the layout in that boat leaves lots of room for peoples feet and a cooler. I didn't like the electric opening engine cover but sounds like your going to make a better design. Congrats. Have Fun!

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Congrats on your new boat!!! Let the obsession begin.

Chee is your man for reupholstery. There are a ton of threads listing his work. Send him your HID and some pictures of the interior and he can send you a complete set of skins that match your original. I did mine 2 years ago and couldn't be happier. PM me if you want his contact info.

enjoy the boat!!

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Full tune up. Clean the umbelical connections. As far as idle, some have mentioned the throttle position sensor and idle air controller. And make sure you have good oil pressure at idle. You may have to change it once or twice to find a good one. I use 20W-50.

Steve B.

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Hey guys need some help here, pulled the tank out and dumped the old fuel out... I want to replace this piece here... I assume it's the main fuel line... Not exactly sure why there is two...

17B6CBD7-6A91-4D2B-A14B-C717BA391AE0.jpg

Also I sanded the teak wood on the platform and it feels and looks so much better but a couple of the boards are warped... I want to use the teak oil and get it looking good but I can't when the boards look like this... Tips?

9390BB37-9E93-4301-B4C9-E155B2D81516.jpg

Also sorry i haven't removed the sticker on the back yet lol... The girlfriend isn't to fond of it...

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Edited by jamespjackson95
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Also I sanded the teak wood on the platform and it feels and looks so much better but a couple of the boards are warped... I want to use the teak oil and get it looking good but I can't when the boards look like this... Tips?

9390BB37-9E93-4301-B4C9-E155B2D81516.jpg

Also sorry i haven't removed the sticker on the back yet lol... The girlfriend isn't to fond of it...

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Not really sure that there is much you can do about the warped boards. No personal experience with them but I've seen many in the past recommend teak world for replacements. Btw if you do go that route I'd stick with the non slotted platform (the original was slotted) and consider adding a trap door if you have or plan on adding a wedge.

And I can't imagine why she isn't fond of that :lol:

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Hey guys need some help here, pulled the tank out and dumped the old fuel out... I want to replace this piece here... I assume it's the main fuel line... Not exactly sure why there is two...

17B6CBD7-6A91-4D2B-A14B-C717BA391AE0.jpg

This may be the part. Some boats have them and others don't. Also, if you have fuel injection, one fuel line is engine supply and the other is to dump back to the tank when the fuel pump powers off.

http://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=2653

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So does anyone know the proper fuel pick up tube length that I need? Also would it matter if I didn't buy then"marine" one.... Much cheaper.

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  • 1 month later...

Sorry this is an old thread but anyone know what size shaft packing I need... 1997 sunsetter vlx.... I finally got around to working on it.... Ordered some parts and buffed one side and it looks 10x better

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3E21BC79-EE54-46DB-A41D-FA4B27B72EE6.jpg

BE7E646A-57DA-4730-A1A9-C56AAF3795AF.jpg

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