Project: '71 Cheetah

[Elkidmino]

aka Dirty Little Secret.

I want to do this right, or to the best that my budget will allow. I've always wanted a jet boat since I was a kid out on Lake Leelanau with my family watching them tear across the water. The noise and the rooster tails had me hooked. Now, my dream is coming true. :)

I bought the boat and trailer in early October for a screaming deal. Everything is basically there minus motor. The previous owner even tossed in a Chevy bellhousing with a top mount starter. Right away I signed up here and performanceboats and started reading. I've learned alot already and have to give everyone here props for sharing their experience and knowledge openly.:cheers: I'll keep this thread updated and ask questions along the way.

Now onto the good stuff. The boat has seen better days, but for being 38 years old, it's still in relatively good condition. The hull is solid and the 1/4 stringers are rock solid. The paint needs attention, as does everything else. It's more like everything needs to be freshened up. I have a BBC 402 sitting in the garage ready to get rebuilt with oval port heads and a torker II single plane intake. I'd like to put in a set of rollers, a nice cam, deck it and put an MSD on it so I don't spin it to high heaven when it comes out of the water. The plan was to get it on the lake two summers from now, but a buddy offered me up a running SBC last Thursday so I have a fire lit under my ass now to have it on the water this coming summer. I have my work cut out for me.

Here's when I first looked at it back in September:
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-0995.jpg
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-0985.jpg
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-0986.jpg
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-0988.jpg
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-0984.jpg
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-0992.jpg

Oct 5, 2009 This is the day I got it home. The PO even dropped it off for me since I don't currently own a vehicle big enough to tow it. I spent two hours washing and vacuuming. Picked up about 20lbs worth of compost out of it.
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-1006.jpg

I have a couple questions that I haven't been able to find answers to quite yet.
-How does the PTO from the pump attach to the back of the motor? Usually the crank has six bolts and the universal joint has four. Do you just run longer bolts through the four and bolt it on? A pic would be awesome.
-Can I run that Chevy bellhousing on both the SBC and the BBC? It should be the same bolt pattern correct? The housing attaches at the pump, 3 point style.
-Does anyone have a wiring harness guide? Looks like mine is the olds setup.
-Can someone with a similar Cheetah or Taylor SS run a tape measure from the floor to the underside of the bow? It looks like a support beam was cut out and the dash and bow have since sagged. I'd like to put it back to spec.

Thanks for your help guys. :thumbsup:

-Dave

[Elkidmino]

After my initial cleaning, I noticed the floor seemed soft towards the rear of the boat just before the stringers. I pulled the carpet and saw water under the fiberglass. You could also see that the glass over the floor was not the same weave as the glass on the hull. I suspected it had been redone at one time. I had some time Saturday night so I went to work at pulling the floor, man what a job!

First came pulling the carpet, easy enough. I found a penny from 1989, possible time frame of replacement?
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-1082.jpg

The darker spot in front of my finger was the water underneath.
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-1084.jpg

I started at the back by the stringers and was able to use a box cutter to cut the fiberglass across and start pulling it up. Here you can see the moisture on the wood.
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/DSCI0134.JPG

I worked my way forward, cutting, pulling, cutting, pulling.
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/DSCI0135.JPG

I was lucky enough to get one whole piece out of the floor, it saved time on cleanup. The board underneath was saturated, but surprisingly solid. It was clear that it was a replacement board for the original. The old fiberglass had been cut out, the board laid in and then glassed over. The "new" glass and resin did not seal or stick very well. I was able to peel it off with my hands.
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/DSCI0137.JPG

I thought I'd be done at this point, but I was able to get a finger under the side of the board and all I felt was nasty liquid on the underside.:nonod: Time for that to come out too!! I dug resin out of the screw heads and backed them all out, then fought with the original fiberglass that encased some of the board, that stuff is super resilient!

Finally it came out and I was greeted with mold, mildew, condensation and standing water in the hull! Not good!
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/DSCI0138%7E0.JPG
The above picture tells alot. The pieces of wood on the lower left corner are what is left of the old floor and the backing piece that used to sit in front of the stringers. This fell apart in my hands. All that is left is the fiberglass now. The original beam is still there, though highly degraded and rotted. Whoever did the replacement floor also sandwiched the beam between two newer beams, bolted it all together in about four places along it's length and then wrapped it with fiberglass. Looks like a pretty standard fix, but that rotted center beam worries me.

Should I tear all that out and replace it? Or just let it dry out over the winter, seal it and be done?

If I do need to replace it, I should build a cradle for the hull so nothing warps correct?

Oh, and I need a recommendation on good fiberglass and resin for the floor.

[Last Mohican]

-Can I run that Chevy bellhousing on both the SBC and the BBC? It should be the same bolt pattern correct? The housing attaches at the pump, 3 point style.

SBC and BBC have the same bell housing bolt pattern. Not sure bout the rear mount starter lining up though.



-Does anyone have a wiring harness guide? Looks like mine is the olds setup.

Here are the standard colors. No guarantee that is how your is wired though.
http://www.ftkltd.com/Boat%20Wiring%20and%20Color%20Codes.htm

Good luck on the project. Keep the pics coming.

[boatermike]

nice place to start, cool boat, you might want to check out www.sidewinder-boats.com

[Last Mohican]

-How does the PTO from the pump attach to the back of the motor? Usually the crank has six bolts and the universal joint has four. Do you just run longer bolts through the four and bolt it on? A pic would be awesome.

This might help. If not contact Tom.
http://www.jetboatperformance.com/index.php?p=drivelineeducation

[hot-rod 21]

-How does the PTO from the pump attach to the back of the motor? Usually the crank has six bolts and the universal joint has four. Do you just run longer bolts through the four and bolt it on?


There is a pto button that bolts to the crank, that has the flange for the 4 bolts. I may actually have a spare one, I also live in SE Michigan. let me know.

[BIGA]

you will have 6 bolts that bolts the button, or saucer, to the crankshaft then you will have 4 bolts that bolts the drive line to the adapter button. the rear bolt patterns on the sbc and bbc are the same the front is different. see attached pic for example of button.

[Elkidmino]

Thanks for the responses! Those buttons were a piece of the puzzle that I missed. I figured there had to be one more thing to bolt the jet to the motor. Thanks for the link Last.

I spent another couple hours in the garage last night. I noticed the gas tank is just sitting in the bow there bouncing around so when I get to replacing the floor, I'll glass in some wood blocks and bolt the tank down. I also busted out the rubbing compound and buffer with a wool wheel. I was able to bring back the shine of the gel coat in the areas that didn't see much sun. Basically any painted surface above the rub rail is toast. I guess I shouldn't say toast, but beyond what a buffer could do. It needs a respray.

Onto a new set of questions. The "paint" (I'll use the term loosely) looks to be a blue base with metal flake and then a blue tinted clear coat over it. I asked a friend who paints cars for a living and he suggested that it was a blue tinted gel coat with silver metal flake. The paint looks all original, I haven't found any other colors on the boat.

My question is: Can I replicate the original gel coat by tinting an automotive clear coat blue and respraying? Or should I try to find a blue tinted gel?

I've read on here about some alternatives to gel that act more like a clear and because all the metal flake is still present, I'd like to respray it and bring it back to a deep luster.

I found metal flake that's pretty close to my color.http://www.paintwithpearl.com/flakestore.htm I might have to sand the whole boat, lay down some new metal flake and then clear it.

Onto the pics!
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-1096.jpg
Port Side

http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/PIC-1097.jpg
Starboard Side. This is a before and after pic. The top of the pic is obviously after buffing, while the bottom is the oxidation and dirt that wouldn't come off when I washed it.

[boatermike]

any updates?

[Elkidmino]

any updates?

Not as of recent. I have a 4 point mount for an SBC lined up to be sent after Christmas and I've been color sanding the boat any chance I can get. Luckily, the gel coat was just oxidized and it's coming back with some elbow grease. I tried to use the polish the other night that had been sitting in the garage but it was frozen solid! I gotta get that heater mounted and running!:leaving:

[Wild Hair]

Just read your thread, noticed your going to put a sbc in it from a friend. My first jet boat was a small block chevy, I spun a main in it right off the bat. That motor had about 400hp, A friend loaned me another small block that he said was a 350 so I droped it in while geting the crank turned and the block checked out.

On the first trip to the lake I idled out of the no wake zone and nailed it. What a joke wouldent even pull up on plane. back at the house I started researching the casting numbers only to find out this small block was a 307 and not a 350. This thing had something like 150 hp. So be sure of what you are puting in it first. I would say you should have at least 300 hp or more to put that hull on plane, and probably wont set the world on fire on top end.

Take the time to reserch your combonation it will save you time, money and frustration, Myself I would put the 402 in it. There's no substitute for cubic inches.

[Elkidmino]

That's the kind of advice I like to have. I'll have to get the numbers off the block and cross reference them. I planned to spruce it up a little with a cam, rejet the carb and play with the timing to get some more ponies out of it, but it may not be enough from what you're saying.

I've got alot of cosmetic work to do before I decide which motor I will drop in. Maybe all those hours sanding will give me enough time to weigh all the variables in my mind.

I do have some questions for you all:

-What's a good weight fiberglass to lay over a floor? I've read 7130? I think? The previous stuff looked like cheese cloth, I'd rather go heavier than lighter.

-How hard is it to remove the keel board?

-What is the name for the panel that would go by your feet under the dash and have a cut out in the middle? Mine was cut out.

-Does anyone have an H-bar driveline for sale from a 3-point mount chevy?

Ninja Edit: I started wet sanding the original gel coat and then buffing it. It's all coming back shiny!! I'll have to get some pics up.

[boatermike]

need at least 350hp and really 500 would be more like it if ya wanna see more than 50 mph

[Elkidmino]

O rly? Welp, I better start selling all my spare parts and start saving for that BBC!

[boatermike]

thats what they say,supposed to be the best way to go

[Elkidmino]

Nicson 4 pt mount should be on its way at the end of the week!

[boatermike]

cool, big block chevy? the one thing i can tell you of value is dont go with a bow tank if you plan on getting the nose free. mine , which appears identical to yours, is a nose heavy beast and rear saddle tanks really helped a lot but fell short ever so slightly. holeshot suffered but this thing steered around on its nose before that.

[Elkidmino]

For right now, I am keeping the nose tank because I'm on a seriously tight budget. I've made the decision to go with the Big Block instead of the SBC. I'll be borrowing the hoist and engine stand from a buddy next month and start cleaning it up and getting it assembled. I'm going to strip it down and inspect everything, and from there determine what way I want to go. If the block is clean, I am going to hone it, reinstall the stock rotating assembly with new bearings, clean and port the heads, run a cam from Duane at HTP, slap on the weiand single plane intake and call it a day for now. I have to check the block/head castings, but I am hoping it's the 10.25:1 motor and not the 8.5:1. If's it's 8.5:1 I have a big ol' turbo with it's name on it. :thumbsup:

I called a couple places about fiberglass yesterday so I can get rolling on purchasing floor materials. The recommendation across the board was to use 1708 Biaxial mat (http://www.fiberglasssite.com/servlet/the-69/Biaxial-Mat-1708-5/Detail) for the floor. It's got a short of chopped pattern on the underside and a nice weave on the top, the two layers are interlaced with each other. I have to find out a bit more information on whether I should double layer this or run a single layer. I got quotes for $10-13.50 a yard and I need about 5 yards to complete the floor.

Jeff (Wasted Income) has a set of Glenwood manifolds w/snails that he's selling me (thanks again!) and I may pick up some SS angled tips from Teague. Oh, and I think I found a set of seats locally for cheap!

No progress pics, but planning is in high gear.

While it's still cold out I am working my way around the boat wet-sanding and buffing. I'm very pleased with the results. I can't wait for a sunny day to pull it outside and see that metalflake sparkle.

[Elkidmino]

Sooo that 402 I thought I had, turned out to be a 396 with 427T (M truck) open chamber heads. The block has a nice set of domed pistons in it, but looks like my heads are sort of, "eh" in a word. With some porting, they'll flow nice, but my compression ratio is only going to be around 9:1. I guess on the positive side it'll be real pump friendly.

Any insight on this?

[thompy]

well i should hold up much better than the olds, and cheaper to set up, i should put out some feelers my self, and take some more pics

[thompy]

by the way what is the mat for

[Elkidmino]

The mat is for the floor. It's finally starting to warm up so I may get a chance to get out there and start cleaning up the glass!

[sleekcrafter]

there is a cheetah that is for sale in Novi MI.

here is the post.....

I am looking to get rid of a Jet! 1969 cheetah jetboat!
I need more than 3,000.00 make me a offer!

Solid!

[thompy]

x2 on the warm up, probably going to pull mine out and finish ripping out my floor this weekend, the reason i asked about the mat was many say it no good for the hull, the floor would be fine

[Elkidmino]

Quick update:

I'll be dropping the motor off at the machinist this week. I went with Chap Automotive in Detroit off of Grand Avenue. The owner, Adney, seems like a nice enough guy and is willing to help and seems to know his marine motors. I finally have some extra money so I will be buying fiberglass later this week for the floor and hopefully get that back together. I still have alot of carpet glue to scrape off. I decided that the gel coat is just way to far gone, so it's getting a repaint from the rub strip up. Anything that was in the sun is getting a fresh coat of blue and silver. I received some misc parts in the meantime too; a set of glenwood manifolds and snails, nicson feet for my motor mounts, and water pump fittings. I still have to work out the driveline calculations and start mocking things up.

My goal is to have it floating and running by the end of June. It may not have a full interior, but it'll be lake worthy. ;)

Pic of what I got polished before I decided it was a waste of time:
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_278.jpg
You can see where I stopped halfway on the bow as a before/after sort of deal.

[Elkidmino]

Update:

Motor is back from the machine shop. I am going to pick-up a set of 049 heads tomorrow from a guy in Waterford and I am currently specing out a cam. Other good news is I got a job at Chrysler so I'll have money to spend on this thing! I gotta get it done! Should be coming off the trailer next week and will build a cradle so I can put the new stringers and floor in.

[Elkidmino]

Boat is iff the trailer as of 30 minutes ago. Trailer looks like it's still in good condition, needs some small repairs here and there.

I am wondering how I should level the boat on the cradle. Do I check it based off the stringers, the keel, the top of the transom? I need to get the floor in and set the motor mounts.

[Elkidmino]

I'll get some pics up so you guys aren't so bored. :rolleyes:

Pulled the boat off the trailer, with one engine lift and a pallet. :D
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_095re.JPG
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_096re.JPG
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_098re.JPG

Pulled the center stringer before work yesterday morning.
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_099re.JPG
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_100re.JPG
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_101re.JPG

Fixed a large rust spot on the trailer. One of the bunks attaches to the vertical section and I didn't want it failing.
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_104re.JPG
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_105re.JPG
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_106re.JPG

[Elkidmino]

That's pretty much the direction I'm headed!

[Old fiberglass]

Before you re-glass the stringer in make sure the bottom isn't hogged or bellied. Also, it is a good idea to thin the resin and soak the stringer wood before you glass it in. This helps create a better bond to the wood. What type resin are you using ??

[boatermike]

do you plan on separating that boat? i wouldn't

[Elkidmino]

Before you re-glass the stringer in make sure the bottom isn't hogged or bellied. Also, it is a good idea to thin the resin and soak the stringer wood before you glass it in. This helps create a better bond to the wood. What type resin are you using ??

That was going to be my next question actually so I am glad you asked. Do you have a recommendation? I did plan to wet any wood down before I glassed it in. One cut layer with 50% acetone, let it soak in and then put a regular layer on.

And no Mike, I don't plan to separate it. That's WAY over my head.

[boatermike]

any progress lately on this sweet boat?

[Elkidmino]

any progress lately on this sweet boat?

Been a little quiet lately. I started a new job at Chrysler and Dream Cruise was a couple weeks ago so I was working on that for a couple weeks.

I found out Bolyard Lumber (248) 644-3636 in Birmingham, MI has 2x8" douglas fir in 12ft lengths for $9.24. I will be stopping by this week to pick a board or two up and get that center stringer in soon. It's starting to get chilly so the next project is going to be hooking up my garage heater. I want to spend alot of time in there this winter so I can have it close to ready to roll in the spring.

I still need to decide on what resin to get. Suggestions please?

-Dave

[SS-201]

Save some money just buy a aftermarket HEI distrubutor, nix the MSD you don't need it.

[Elkidmino]

I should update this thread like hardcore, but I figured I'd share with you guys. I re-built the boat in a week. Yes, a week, and it runs, drives, and floats now!:thumbsup: Glassed in the stringer and bulkhead, slapped a floor in and glassed over it. Tossed a 350 in and hit the key!

Build thread: http://www.performanceboats.com/html/forums/showthread.php?t=75079

http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_139.jpg

[38 hustler slingshot]

It looks like you've done an amazing job, is this your first time =p. I'm looking into a project like this myself, but I have to keep in mind it's my first time and i would have a lot to learn anyways. Good job :cheers:

[sjcolwell2]

looks bad ass !

[thompy]

i have to get going on mine, watched your thread on P.B been working on the roof and have to work on the grage as well before i start
i have the same hull as your but in a CobraJet but i have cracks in the hull where the floor meets the hull, its a pretty light layup. going to try a supercharged 3800. my brother has a wriedt with the 455 same hull different deck and dont like the heavy feel of the boat

[Elkidmino]

Thanks guys! It still needs paint, a real exhaust and gas tanks, but for now it was fun and I'm really proud of myself. I'm tossing around the idea of flipping it and blueprinting the hull, but that may have to wait until the spring. I'm already eyeing mini-day cruisers like the Spectras and Hawaiians, I'd ultimately like to have a 20' to 21' footer. A guy at work mentioned his dad might be getting rid of a 454...I'm keeping a close eye on that. ;)

Hustler: Read, read, read! Put up a build thread and befriend some local guys, they'll have a plethora of knowledge to help you.

Thompy: Grind those cracks down and build up the area's again with mat and cloth layered. It's not hard.


A couple more pics:
Fitting the center stringer, 2x8 kiln dried douglas fir
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_081.jpg
First layer of gas
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_118.jpg
Bulkhead glassed in
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_121.jpg
Underside of floor coated in resin:
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_123.jpg
Floor glued in:
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_124.jpg
Motor before "marine" conversion:
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_126.jpg
The rig:
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_133.jpg
Underpower:
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_144.jpg
Me:
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/IMAGE_143.jpg

[Elkidmino]

Jesus I really need to update this thread, the boat looks a hell of a lot nicer now.
Here's a video of it in action to tide you over in the meantime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-bIeGRqv3I

[Elkidmino]

MAY 28th 2011
The boat sat in the garage all winter, but Spring was around the corner so the parts were coming in by the week. I just picked up an interior from a local jet boater (Thanks Dave). Two buckets and a bench out of a Daytona. I've heard critisism about the back seat being too small, but I like it that way because it allows you too walk to the back of the boat without having to step over a seat. This will help with loading and unloading at the dock and keep people from touching the hot motor. I haven't decided if I am going to box the motor in or not yet, but I do have a doghouse with a scoop that came with the boat when I purchased it. It needs some work to make it fit correctly again.

Here are the seats mocked up at the old house.
http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73687&stc=1&d=1300882033
http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73688&stc=1&d=1300882033

The flipped over Nova headers were fun for the week I had it out last year, but it needed something more practical for this season so a set of Edlebrock logs and snails were purchased.

I bought a set of saddle tanks out of AZ that should be here at the end of the week. 17 gallons a piece, I'll be able to run on the lake ALL day. Never got them in this year, just used a 5gal marine tank for the Wamplers meet.
http://www.performanceboats.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=109755&d=1300497859

[Elkidmino]

JULY 4th 2011

Finished the paint this weekend! I'm making headway.

Had some flake stand up in the base coat so I had to wet sand the whole thing again to knock them down. This is after wetsanding. I splashed it with water to get an idea of what it'll look like with clear.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270370_531380148532_77100165_30729360_3201973_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270375_531380188452_77100165_30729363_2373373_n.jpg
Final coat of Oriental Kandy Blue (House of Kolors) before pulling the tape off the stripe and clearing
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/264045_531380118592_77100165_30729358_5012648_n.jpg
First coat of clear with tape removed to expose the stripe (basecoat Orion Silver with a metric **** ton of flake added)
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/268755_531380263302_77100165_30729366_6543555_n.jpg
Added a new scallop. This was 15 mins after the last coat of clear (used a half gallon) it settled down alot in one night.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/263170_531380278272_77100165_30729367_8314813_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267410_531380318192_77100165_30729369_2391027_n.jpg

It needs to be rubbed out a little, but I am sooo happy to have a shiny boat. This thing is starting to represent my capabilites, I'm very pleased.

[Elkidmino]

OCT 3rd 2011

I've been working on this thing like mad the last couple weeks and starting to show some real progress. In fact, I'm almost done for this year at least. The gf and I moved into our new-to-us house at the beginning of the month and then left for vacation immediately after. When we got back, I was determined to finish the boat being that the garage was a mess from the move and the majority of the parts were boat related.

First thing I tackled was re-installing the driveline to the pump and plumbing the motor for the new headers. This required the motor to be pulled out of position and bellhousing removed from the rear. Once I finished that it was a fight to get it to line up with the motor plates and jet flange while simeltaniously lining up the cardan joint with the impeller axle. Oh and I didn't want to scrape the new paint. I forgot to grind off an ear on the left front motor mount so reinstalling it required a pry bar and 2x4 but it slipped in shortly thereafter. I bolted it all down and she was set. Big thanks to Volvo Dan's engine hoist and engine leveler.

Second I started to mock up the exhaust manifolds to the motor. Boat exh manifolds are different from car exh manifolds being that these are water cooled! The pump provides water to the manifolds, which then circulated front to back to front again before exiting and running into the block at the stock water pump holes. From there it runs through the block, heads and finally out the intake manifold to the thermostat port. From there it's routed into the exhaust stream at the "snails" and blows out the exhaust. The result is a open loop cooling system that won't burn the **** out of your leg when you walk past the motor. I tried it out on the hose with the motor running and you can leave your hand on the exh manifold without being burned. The board on the front of the balancer is to help aid in lining up the alternator with the crank pully. I needed to build a custom alternator mount since I didn't run one last year and they aren't readily available off-the-shelf for this application.
http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81148&d=1317651977
I remembered that it felt like the throttle wasn't opening all the way last year so I tackeled the carb linkage while the carb was still dry. I watched the primary throttle shaft open and attempt to actuate the secondary linkage only to get caught on something. I decided to pull the carb off and tried the linakage again; this time the secondaries opened all the way. I looked at the intake manifold and there was one of those cheap Vatozone carb adapters on it. Ding Ding Ding! The secondary butterflies were contacting the edge of this spacer so a little massage work and everything cleared. I checked out the old distributer and found it to be a mess (I'm surprised the motor ran as good as it did) with a busted vac advance and broken points. I swapped in an Accel version HEI I had lying in the garage with lightened springs and deleted the vac advance (ne need in a jet boat).

I then tackled the gauges, steering and pump/throttle controls. When I pulled everything apart for paint, I couldn't believe the ghetto rigging the PO used connect the pump controls to the lever system. Clearly the guy had no idea what he was doing and honestly I didn't either but with a little patience I figured it out. Now things actuate smoothly and the cables won't fall out of their holders. I bought a new chrome steering wheel http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif and wired up all the gauges and ignition. There was an old fuse panel under the dash that I tried to re-use but all the connections were crusted and beyond repair. I'll need to insert an inline fuse eventually so it's straight wired for now (I know, not safe). I did, however, wire in a kill switch for the battery on the engine wiring tray so worst case scenario I can cut power to everything there.
http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81149&d=1317652321

From here I was able to drag the boat outside and hook the hose and battery up to see what would happen. I left the exhaust hoses off since I didn't want to melt them. Yes, exhaust hoses. They run from the "snail" outlets to the exhaust tips that run through the transom. You can use this hose here since the water running through the exhaust stream keeps everything cool. With the battery connected and fuel on I hit the key. She hit once and then died. I poured some gas down the carb and hit the key again. This time she fired up with a roar and the fuel filter filled up immediately. I checked timing, set it to 30* at 3K and then checked the carb. The main venturies leaked bad at anything above idle. Once I dropped the idle to below 1000rpm, they stopped leaking. The carb will get a rebuild this winter. I gave it a couple quick blasts of throttle to verify the secondaries opened and shut it down. I hooked up the exhaust hose and the regular hose and checked for leaks while the motor was running. Thankfully everything sealed and the manifold did their job correctly.

This past Saturday I finished installing the carpet and seats. I purchased the seats off a local jet boater and had to build the seat bases myself. This was a cut, trim, test fit, cut, trim, test fit, cut, trim, test fit, cuss; process. Once I was happy with the fitment I stapled on the carpet and bolted them down to the floor. These should really be glassed in, but for now, they'll be fine and they are solid. I lined up the seats on top and screwed them into the base. The outcome came out very clean for my first time and I'm very happy with it.
http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81150&d=1317653193
http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81151&d=1317653229
You can see the old radio opening that will eventually get filled with a CD/Sat ready headunit of some type and the new big red kill switch for the battery mounted on the back of the motor.

Final shot of the completed motor with the interior. It could stand a new coat of paint, but for now its Function>Form to work out any bugs before I make it all pretty. I had an engine doghouse with a scoop that covers the motor, but it needs a total repaint to match the rest of the boat. You can see alot of the plumbing here, new dist and a better shot of the exhaust manifolds.
http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=81152&d=1317653482

I have a few more little things to do on the outside, but am looking to put it in the water this week. There's a Michigan Hot Boat meet in Irish Hills saturday so it'd be nice to have it on the water this time instead of the trailer.

[Elkidmino]

OCT 12th 2011

Boat ran awesome all weekend. I had it out Friday night, all day Saturday and again Monday night. Burned through about 10 gals with continous flogging to WOT. Boat runs 44mph with 2 dudes and an old english bulldog in the back seat. The packing is toast in the pump and it leaks quite a bit under power, small drip when off. I think there is a leak in the floor on the starboard side behind the front seat, I'll have to track that one down.

Anyway, pics from Wamplers!
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/0_IMAG0085.jpg
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/DSC_0150.jpg
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/DSC_0164.jpg
http://www.26liter.us/gallery/albums/userpics/10121/0_IMAG0089.jpg

It's to a point where I can pull it out of the garage and go run it anytime I want. It's not finished, but it's definately complete.

[Elkidmino]

May 22nd 2012
Bump for 2012 pics.
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c994-c0ed-6c67.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c994-c122-1b3a.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c994-c155-678e.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c994-c18d-b024.jpg

[Elkidmino]

May 22 2012
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c994-c263-7349.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c994-c29d-f123.jpg

[Elkidmino]

Fathers Day at Torch Lake, MI
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c99a-3d73-5527.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c99a-3d9b-d6c4.jpg

[Elkidmino]

So as you can see, it's the same boat with some new paint and nice interior. It ran awesome this summer and I'm very pleased how all the hard work paid off.

[RussF]

looks real good from way over here........................:thumbsup::thumbsup: