My 78 Sonic 496 stroker build project!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:28 PM

I bought this 78 Sonic, local, by Lake Hartwell, SC/ GA line, for a song and dance, with a blown up 350 engine the p/o put in out of a van, using Mercruiser parts. The paint and interior were already done by him, so that's saving me alot of $$$$ to put towards my 496 bbc stroker build!!
I'll start with pics of the boat, and progress as I do with the project.
Hope you enjoy as much as I will!
I'll try to keep pics coming as much as possible, since I know how much I like to see pics in others projects!!!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:36 PM

First order of business is to get the old sb 350 crap pile out! Wasn't too hard, except I now know I'll need a longer boom for my cherry picker!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:37 PM

Now..... on to gathering needed parts!
First off, a solid foundation for my build..... a nice gen IV 454 4 bolt main block!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:38 PM

Then I ordered my 496 rotating assembly..... don't have pics of that yet, because It's actually being shipped to me this week. Took a few weeks longer, since I wanted everything fully balanced.
Here's the basics:
Fully forged kit-
Forged Scat 4340, internally balanced crank.
4.250 stroke
.125 radius on rods and mains
And "rated" for 9000 rpm and 1200hp.

4340 forged H beam rods
6.385 length

Wiesco forged racing pistons with 18cc domes.
The Weisco site talks about the better forging material they use and coatings for friction and all that, but until I'm holding them, all I have is the internet to refer to.

I had this entire rotating assembly balanced, as I'm a firm believer in balanced assemblies!!!

All the King rod and main bearings, moly rings, etc comes with, making my life a little easier......
Onto gathering more parts!!!!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:41 PM

My best friend/ brother, gave me a set of Dart tall aluminum valve covers! Now, just need to polish them up!!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:48 PM

Well, naturally, when your bro gives you a set of Dart aluminum valve covers, and then you find a listing on CL, for a set of Dart 308 aluminum Race Series heads, already fully ported, polished, and shaved, for $1500!!!!!!!! How could I say no!!!! These babies are beautiful!!! Who ever did the porting work on these rase series heads, deserves an award!!!! They have the 2.25 1.88 stainless valves, heart shaped combusting chambers, and the .300 raised exhaust ports, so should flow like crazy!!!
As far as I can tell, not knowing specifics about them yet, they appear to be similar to the Pro 1's, but according to Dart, they are not? Dart says they are made as ordered- bare castings, and the racer has to finish thrm....porting, building, etc... so many variables can change..... All I DO know, is I got them CHEAP, for what they're worth!!!!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:49 PM

Today, I got in contact with an old engine builder in FL, and we're working out a deal for something almost exactly like this (don't have any actual pics to post, yet, but this is almost identical!)

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:51 PM

I LOVE the Predator carbs for ease of tuning, variable venturi, and running a little fatter, for safety of the motor! Lean spots suck, and can kilL a motor..... I found out the hard way! Planning on overy the transom stainless headers , possibly dry, depending on cam choice.....
Looking for the right hydraulic roller cam kit, for my set up. Also full roller rockers, stock ratio.... be humane to your valve train! LOL!
I know there are ALOT of very experienced engine builders, with ALOT more knowledge than, I, please feel free to offer input and sugestions! Good or bad, I take all info to heart, research, and go from there! I've put together many engines over my 47 years, mostly mud bogger in FL, but jet boats are another beast, and I'd rather learn from the experts now, before I waset ALOT of money!!!!!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:52 PM

OK! Now I can get some numbers out of these heads! Just got my "cc kit" from Jegs! Hopefully I can determine chamber, intake and exhaust volumes! May not know flow numbers, but at least knowing volumes helps alot!
If anyone has any sugestions, please feel free to comment, pm, or even text me at 864-305-6179. Thanks!!!

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 04:53 PM

OK, now I got to get to work!!!!
My polishing kit arrived today, so time to stop posting, and get working!!!!
I'll post new pix as I make progress!

**FMP** · 06-01-2016, 06:08 PM

Just so you know that someone is listening, oh that poor jet pump isn't going to know what hit it.

**fbpd227** · 06-01-2016, 06:54 PM

Thanks, bud!

**fbpd227** · 06-03-2016, 12:47 PM

HOLY CRAPIOCA, buffing is hard work!! This crap takes forever!
Took me 4-5 hours to get one valve cover done, and it still needs a few more fine cut buffs, with the Tripoli ruge to really shine, but good Lord, my arms are whooped!!!! LOL!
My much better half thinks I'm crazy, but it's a labor of love!!
Probably wouldn't be as hard if the covers weren't so ruff from the sand cast!
Anyhow... here's a couple pix....
Back to the garage now.....

**fbpd227** · 06-03-2016, 04:31 PM

YAHOOOOOO!!! My stroker kit was delivered today!!!!
NOW, I can get all this crap over to the machine shop!!!!!
I sprayed down my crank with PB Blaster to keep it pretty until assembly..... humidity sucks in the south! LOL!
Now, gotta get this stuff into the right hands!!!!!