New Apricot Viper - So HAPPY

[boatman14544]

Darrell, did you make your trip? need some pics of that new motor !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[427Man]

Darrell, did you make your trip? need some pics of that new motor !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I returned from the great white north last night. 1,300 miles all together. The first thing I need to do here is thank my friend the XSKid1 for lending me his utility trailer built just for hauling motors. I then proceeded to drag it through all kinds of salty slop. KEN your TRAILER is now CLEAN.

2 things I learned on this trip:
1) Lake effect snow warnings = BLIZZARD
2) Verizon is useless across the border. My iPhone became a phone only, no internet, texts, or maps. A friend insisted I take his Garmin GPS. It saved my ass.

My first stop was in Ottawa to pick up a 850 XS mid/lower I purchased before I closed the deal on the 1500XS. That now belongs to Ken in exchange for his help in assembling the basket case 1500XS which is on its way here. From there it was on to Whitby to get the XS. In the end I drove entirely around Lake Ontario. It all went well, just longer than expected.

In the back of the shop where I picked up the 850 parts, I saw a red and white short shaft Merc with a speedmaster on it. When I asked what it was, I was told it was a Mark 75H and it is for sale. I was too stupid to take pictures, but I will contact the owner and get more info and pics. Before anyone gets too excited, the guy I bought the 1500 XS from wants it to go along with his Mark 55H.

Sorry these are sideways. I thought I did it right this time.

[Capt.Insane-o]

Bitchin'

[W2F a V-King]

So..............Now you out shoppin for a new wife yet ?????

Ha JK

Looks better than brand new....

[Da Bull]

WOW! That motor looks bran new. I don`t like working on them but love looking at them. Very attractive.

DB

[427Man]

WOW! That motor looks bran new. I don`t like working on them but love looking at them. Very attractive.

DB

Thanks, it isn't freash out of the crate but it's very nice. From what I can tell the paint is mostly original with a few touch ups. The motor has never been apart either. If the compression checks out ok, I'll try to run it as is.

To me, this is the ultimate motor for this boat, at the very least in appearance.

[FMP]

Looks awesome. For getting home last night , it didn't take long to get it on the boat .

[boatman14544]

oh my !!!! sweet. It looks great on the boat. Fresh gas and an impellor change and it looks like it is ready to go. It sounds like your collection of LWP gearcases is getting bigger?

[427Man]

Looks awesome. For getting home last night , it didn't take long to get it on the boat .

Well, I had to get it out to clean up the trailer and the only place I had to put it was on the transom until I get a stand built. Just temporary for now, but I love looking at it.

[427Man]

Hey Mike - Yes. Ken wanted the 850XS parts so the lower unit coming with the basket case 1500XS could be yours.

[boatman14544]

pm sent

Hey Mike - Yes. Ken wanted the 850XS parts so the lower unit coming with the basket case 1500XS could be yours.

[boatman14544]

Darrell, any updates, new pics, steering mock-ups?

[Scream And Fly]

It's a LOT more fun with an inline.

Darrell, congratulations on such a beautiful pair of classic Vipers. I have to say, what Pete wrote is so true, and while it took me many years to come to this realization, I agree with it. My very first Stream had a Mariner 140 on it, and naturally, being 15 years old all I lusted for was a V6.

Many years later and exposure to people here like all of you guys, and most especially my appreciation for Sam Cullis, Al Stoker, John Tiger and so many others whom I am so grateful to have among our membership here. Pete, I would always have to include you in that group too. You've all really kept the history segment of our sport so important.

I suppose what I'm saying here is, a classic original 1970s Viper with a 1500XS is one hell of a beautiful sight.

When I get home from the show, I can correct the photo orientation if you would like. Also, when we introduce the new version of the forums, attaching images will be as easy as dragging-and-dropping right into your post.

Greg

[427Man]

Darrell, any updates, new pics, steering mock-ups?

Hey Mike - Nothing yet. I spend a couple nights last weekend trying to wrap up a motorcycle project so I can devote all shop time to the two boat projects. Or so I thought. Got the bike together, went to start it, and I have fuel problems. It is an involved process to tear it back down to the carbs, but that's what I'll be doing this weekend. No daytime hours available, running kids all over the map each weekend on top of lots of yard work to do. High winds tore up a lot of trees on the property.

The basketcase 1500XS is due to arrive today so hopefully I'll get to go through it. I will be like a kid at Christmas.

The Viper is supposed to go up to New York in a couple weeks to pull the floor and deal with the core as needed. When it moves out, the Baja comes in so I can get it rigged for this summer. At this rate the Viper will be ready late this year at best.

[427Man]

Darrell, congratulations on such a beautiful pair of classic Vipers. I have to say, what Pete wrote is so true, and while it took me many years to come to this realization, I agree with it. My very first Stream had a Mariner 140 on it, and naturally, being 15 years old all I lusted for was a V6.

Many years later and exposure to people here like all of you guys, and most especially my appreciation for Sam Cullis, Al Stoker, John Tiger and so many others whom I am so grateful to have among our membership here. Pete, I would always have to include you in that group too. You've all really kept the history segment of our sport so important.

I suppose what I'm saying here is, a classic original 1970s Viper with a 1500XS is one hell of a beautiful sight.

When I get home from the show, I can correct the photo orientation if you would like. Also, when we introduce the new version of the forums, attaching images will be as easy as dragging-and-dropping right into your post.

Greg

Hey Greg - Thanks very much.

I will tell you that it was John Tiger I blame for all of this. When I first joined S&F, I found an old post of his listing a 76 J-block motor for sale. It was pictured on his STUNNING blue flake Viper. That was it. From that moment I became obsessed with owning a Viper with a short shaft I6. I contacted him and grovelled shamelessly to try to convince him to sell. No dice. He did however take the time to answer all my unending questions and provide excellent advice and guidance over and over. I had the privilege of meeting him and Ken (XSKid1) this summer at the APBA races in Leonardtown MD. I owe the two of them a huge debt of gratitude. If it was not for them AND all the help I've got from the good people on S&F, I would not be in this position.
John's Viper

If you would set my pictures straight, that would be great. I will keep more coming as I make progress.

As far as inlines vs. V6 motors, the sad truth for me is I want them all. I would love to have a 225 ProMax on something. If I had Jay Leno's money it would be out of control, which my wife assures me it already is.