Laid Back Boaters

Ok. I got my 1991 carrera almost 2 yrs ago (October). Here it is:


the pump was screwd. Did a stage 1 blue print with a stuffer and the weak old 454 could only turn 4000rpm. So sad. Then I put some large oval port 396 heads on it to bump the comp ratio to 9.5 to 1, slipped a cam in it and threw on a tunnel ram with 2 450's. (yes...450's). It then spun 5200 rpm at approx 72 mph. (5000 was 69 mph on gps) Then the old 454 was barfing oil out of every hole it had so I did the most logical thing. Built a 496!! It is 10.2 to 1, same 396 heads. full hydrolic roller cam and rockers. Here is the end result:



I might be able to do some fine tuning for more mph, but I am way happy with the acceleration
it has!! Plus it will run quite a while before I need to dump fuel in it thanks to the small carbs!!

your boat is riding pretty good now, especially for a 21'er! It appears that the water is now breaking just a little in front of the engine instead of near the driver's seat. I think you need to get a droop on there to get a little more lift and make that thing gitty up and go.
btw, can I borrow your TR and carbs for a day or 2?

Almost time to get off my azz and do some work on my heap. I need to adjust the valves, fix the fuel pump, do some steele braid lines on the engine water feed (and loose the heater hose ), and clean and pack the wheel bearings on the trailer. I better go buy some beer.....

Mike

did you get another lawn mower engine?

well, have you gotten off your azz and started in with it yet? <----just lighting a fire under it

Not yet. I am waiting for the bonus to come in and then it is on!!!

Mike

Well....I just got done with the valve adjustment, fixing the fuel pump issue and changing the oil. I went synthetic this time with the oil. I have a full roller motor, so I thought it would be a better way to go. The fuel pump seems to work better. I fired it up today and it seemed good to go. A day on the water will tell me if it is fixed. I still need to pack the wheel bearings on the trailer, lube the drive line and bearing on the pump. Then drag it out for a wash and wax. After all that, I will be ready for some fun!!!

Mike

Kool Mike! I'm looking forward to seeing that One on the water. It sure came out nice.

I've seen a couple of people talking about packing wheel bearings. Do you not have Bearing Buddy's? I thought all boat trailers had them and my understanding was with them there is no need to dissasemble, clean and pack the bearings. Or am I just 25 years behind on my maintenance.

even though I have the bearing buddies, I still repack them the old fashioned way about every other year. It's mostly just me wanting to make sure it's all good back there. It was actually a good thing I checked them at the beginning of last year though, the right rear was a bit loose when I did the annual check. It turned out the seal had blown out a little and I guess some grit got into the bearing which wore it out some. I had no idea if the bearings and seals were original so I just changed them all out.

Good to hear you're getting it ready for a shake down Mike!

Also, I feel its a good oppurtunity to have a look at the over all trailer condition. Brakes, hoses, loose bunks, loose suspension bolts, wheel torque. I would really hate being that guy with his trailer & boat on the side of I-5 trying to figure out where the hell I'm gonna find a wheel bearing & race or worse for my trailer. and now its getting dark (LOL)

Well, last year, I hit the bearing buddys with the grease gun and saw a bit of water come out of one of the seals on the back side. I figure I better get in there and check it out. Plus, even with the buddys on there, the grease wears out just like motor oil. It is always good to go in and replace the old crusty stuff and inspect all parts every few yrs.

Mike

Well, I am almost ready for a shake down at Folsom next week. Funny thing tho...filled the tanks and found my fuel senders are stuck. My tanks were empty since last September. A few days later, one of the senders broke free and is working. No luck on the other yet. Always something.....

If yu can get to it tap on the top of the sender. It worked on mine when mine did the same.

Thanks Kris. I will try that.

Mike