BigBluRude - AKA "TinkerRude"

[tinker060]

The OMC project is starting to show real promise and I just want to say “thanks” to Instigator, RRRevenrude and Ray Neudecker for their help along the way and for keeping the project more or less “behind their hat”. Also to Kathy and Tony for putting on one heck of a weekend where we got to play with the boat with lots of help around.

We tried to run the boat at Gasden but the God’s of two stroke motors (or lack there of) had other ideas. A worse weekend of racing I have never had and the Possum (Rodney ) was ready to use the engine as an anchor for his pontoon boat. As an example, Thursday night about 11:30 PM we had the engine tore down in the middle of a gravel parking lot and lost one of the caged wrist pin bearings. No spares. We spent the next 30 minutes looking for the bearing with no luck. Then a guy who just happened to stop by and was giving us a helping hand looked down and it was laying beside his shoe…..about four feet from where we though it was dropped. I could swear I heard someone laughing in the dark…………………

After getting home from Gasden I rebuilt the whole motor right down to new sleeves. The Yammy ignition was shipped off to Dean Pink at Wizard Marine for testing (nothing wrong) and new ground wires and the ignition switch was replaced. After reassembly, the engine started the first turn while on the test stand. Sane for a quick trip to the water.

The first couple of runs at the Rumble were nothing to brag about but we kept turning the dials and finally on Sunday morning BigBluRude came around. I can’t wait to see how it runs if it continues to respond to tuning and some minor changes to the porting.

Thanks to all who came by at the Rumble. Good to meet and talk with people who regularly contribute to the S&F Forum. Really nice folks and their boats reflect their love of the sport. Oh, Greg, BigBlu will not make you sterile but at about 9500 it does make the crotch strap on the seat belts get a bit tighter. ………….

Jon Wright

[jphii]

I gotta see this up close & personal one of these days. Not too many out-of the-box 'Rude thinkers out there. Sounds great on the video too.

[Raceman]

So why the change?

[tinker060]

Raceman, For many years I have (as we all have) listened to the argument about Merc vs OMC so I decided to build an OMC/BRP to see firsthand what goes. Not really giving up on Merc... from the start of the project the objective was for complete compatability as far as the boat and clamp bracket was concerned. The Merc can be back on the boat in less than 1.5 hours and if I do not run the boat any more between now and SMITC the Merc will be back on and ready to do battle.

The hemi (as I have started to call the OMC) really does have potential. Yes, it's heavy but the crank train appears to be able to with-stand all kinds of punishment and not even whimper. The cooling system soaks up heat like a sponge. When we got back to the trailer after the last run, you could lay your hands on the block. Something that I would not attempt to do with the Merc.. The nitrous setup we ran at the Rumble is the same as on the Merc and the hemi wants more. So as Rodney say's, "give it more and let it eat"!

This is my first go-round with the OMC/BRP but so far I am very impressed. My opinion is that while they are different from the Merc there is just as much potential (if not more) if someone is willing to spend the time and effort to open the door. Lots and lots of folks have spent years on the Merc but not sure this same effort has been applied to the OMC. We are beginning to see some efforts in that direction and while mine is just "tinkering" I think you will see and continue to see some good running hemis from different shops (both here and in Europe).

Now with all that long winded reply out of the way................ the real reason for doing the project was that I was bored..........................

Jon Wright

[PARKER RABE]

Sure Would Love To See One Of These 160mph Passes!

[Tom Foley]

Long live Tinkertoy! What a fantastic creation you have there . The video posted on here has some great sound of the engine , as soon as I heard it it reminded me of the bark of the V-4 on the Starflite Hydro . Keep the info and pics coming !

[antslake]

Where do I find this video?

[M.CHAPMAN]

Hey Jon, just curious, do you have any plans to test the 2 speed on the OMC/BRP. I had the priveledge of seeing you make that 156MPH pass in Augusta in 2000, I have to say it was one of if not the most impressive runs I have ever seen.
-Michael

[tinker060]

Michael, Thanks for you comments on the Augusta run. It was quite a ride. The little red boat was so easy to drive that it almost didn't scare me!!!!!!

No plans at the present for the two speed. Having more than enough fun trying to get BigBlu on the right path. What could be interesting, would be to turn the tranny opside down and use it as an overdrive. BigBlu has enough torque to get things going in the direct drive mode and then "un shift' (is that a word?). With a 19 or 20 pitch prop and the overdrive it should go really fast. Not a drag setup but man you could cover some ground in a big hurry.

Jon,

[M.CHAPMAN]

Jon,
I think what added to the excitement of the run in Augusta was you were on a single pass and we could hear the motor kind of "change tone" when it shifted. You could actually see the boat pick up speed when it went to the other gear. It's one I'll never forget. Good luck with the "HEMI" project I'm sure you will find a way to amaze us even more.
-Michael

[Instigator]

You know how hard that was to keep quiet all that time???

Every pass Jon and the Rude made were more and more impressive. I drove my self half freagin nuts tryin to announce the races, help Tony and make it down to the damn dock in time to film the testing sessions!! And all w/o busting my ass on the basketball sized rocks on the hill!!

Glad to hear someone else (for a freagin change) say something positive about a Johnny and maybe Jon won't even get bashed like I have for so many years:cool:

Jon, did I tell you about Dave Busch's last race??? He turned his JohnRude 11,600!!
There is a video foating around somewhere of Galen hitting the tach recall with his eyes bugging out:eek:

Your statement about $$$/R&D of Merc vs BRP/OMC is spot on! What 1/1000 in comparison?? The fact that anyone even does it at all let alone gets one to run w/a Merc should be enough to get the "appropriate" peoples attention ;)

Yes it's heavy but done right that crank train is bullet proof and Dave has just proven to what extremes are possible.

I will not start anything again about rumors of and from BRP but it will be getting interesting in the very near future to be sure.

Wished I would have had more time to hang with you and Rodney Jon.
Was quite funny holding my cell phone out so Miami Dave could hear your passes while I videoed :D
Haven't even had time to watch my videos yet.

Give me about 2 weeks and I'll have a place for you and Rodney to come and play this Winter if your brothers place is booked ;)

Gary

[stokernick]

Reminded me of the Champ boat races 30 years or so ago,the OMCs' sounded like killer bees!!Awesome job,Jon,here's to you!!

[tinker060]

All, Thanks for your feedback. BigBlu (while trying my patience sometimes) has been a real learning experience and the fact that so many people (including die hard Merc folk) have reacted so positively makes it all worthwhile. Keeping the project quite was also hard for me and I understand how much effort Instigator made to keep it all hush-hush.

No, I did not know Bush was turning his motors that tight. Gives me something to shoot for. I can't imagine all that mass spinning 11K+. Must be hard on the ears... but heck, "throw me in that briar patch".

Plan on taking BigBlu to Jasper. I have been talking to Monty about building an OMC/BRP for years so it will be fun to show him the results. He is one heck of an engine builder! My efforts are probably a bit behind the curve but we all have to start somewhere.

Hope to see all of you at the Rumble next year for another great party.

Jon

[stokernick]

thanks again,Jon,git-r-dun!!