1978 Viking rebuild

[tnelsmn]

First weekend with it.

The project is not yet complete as I'm still waiting on the interior and will swap on the ProMax sometime this summer.

[LakeFever]

What a journey, congrats again man I enjoyed following this build more than any other media the past couple years. I'd hand you an Oscar for build thread awesomeness if I could.

I'd really like to see some more info on that dual throttle set up you have and how you rigged it all up if your not burnt out from updating lol. If you dont and just want the summer to drive and enjoy I surely can understand that too. Anyways again congrats

[tnelsmn]

Thank you, Lake! As of now I just have two throttle cables ran to the engine. I have to swap them at the engine depending on what I want to use. The other cable just hangs in the cowl. My new peddle did arrive over the weekend which seems to be a good set up. I'll probably wait to put that in until I swap the ProMax on or put the new interior in.

[Blacknsilvr]

That’s awesome. I’ve been following this build since day one, glad to see it in the water! What prop were you running in the video?

[tnelsmn]

When topped out at 57 it was a 19 we use for skiing. When getting into the 60’s it was a 26 big ear chopper.

[Blacknsilvr]

Ahh, I didn’t notice the prop change after the 19. I knew something was up lol!

[tnelsmn]

So its been out two weekends now. The first was over Memorial Weekend, so the lake was quite busy and we had crummy weather for the most part. But I was able to get some clear water and make some passes. Checking the GPS from the GoPro the best it saw was 68, according to the Garmin in the boat it was 69.3, and would chine walk like crazy at about 66. I was able to get it flat for a few passes and thats where I saw the top speeds. This was running a 26 big ear chopper, prop shaft CL about even with the pad, hard to say exactly since the plate is hydraulic and is 3/8" above when it max up.

I was noticing a bit of a vibration on the fourth day, thought I had some weeds on the prop but saw nothing when I checked. When I got on the trailer I found the lower unit damn near falling off! The rear two studs that thread into the lower were gone completely, the forward two studs that thread into the lower were backed out as far as possible stopping when they hit the mid, keeping the lower from falling off completely. One of the rear studs hit the prop on the way out and took a put a decent nick in it. Also chipped up the bottom side of the cav plate. I welded and blended the prop already.

Picked up some new studs and lock nuts and got it all back together dripping with red loctite.

Second weekend out the lower stayed on and tight, turns out its a lot easier to drive with the lower tight! Was able to get up to 67 agin with ease and it behaved much better at speed.

Put the tow bar in and attempted waterskiing for the first time in 20 years. We were all able to get up and ski but the boat really struggled like it never did before. I need to get the hydrofoil/whale tail whatever you want to call it back on. It wants to cavitate as soon as the bow drops. But it also seems to be very down on power when coming out of the hole as well as struggling to idle in gear. I need to check the timing since I put in a new trigger and never did check timing. I was lazy and skipped it because I'll have to make a pointer and establish TDC.

Tried the 30 cleaver that I picked up and seemed to run out of power at the top end, the 26 chopper was preforming better. But its crazy to feel the difference on how those props affect the hull.

Also the steering mount loosened up toward the end of the weekend. The lock collar that holds the ram in the tilt tube worked loose. So that will be looked at as well.

Always something with a project.

[mrichartz]

Yea amazing how much a tight bottom end.......lol
Damn that really would have sucked and surprised just a slight vibration, someone got lucky..can't wait to see #s when you ShakeOut all the bugs etc

[LakeFever]

The boat is disappointed with the 175 and saying it’s time for the promax

[tnelsmn]

Turns out that it runs a whole lot better and has more power when the timing is set right, I didn't get an exact reading of how far off it was, but if I had to guess it was at least 10 degrees retarded. Set full throttle at 20 BTDC cranking and reset the idle timing with it strapped on the trailer in the launch and it runs like a whole new boat! Starts quick and easy, idles great in gear and doesn't stall coming back down to idle. Even hot restarts are much better.

I ran the 26 chopper this morning and was still only seeing about 68 turning right around 6k. I think that might be all this motor has in it. I did pick up a 24 trophy and will give that a try over the weekend.

I'll be pulling the ProMax out of the corner and getting that ready to go on around the end of the month. Pull injectors and send them out, water pump, etc. I plan to make it work with the old control box, so I'll have to see what thats going to take to make work. Might have to get a newer box and swap the guts.

Also, found a crack on the chopper so that's wall art now, and to be clear it wasn't where I welded on it

[mrichartz]

So that was all the motor had or have more in to for bigger pitch prop?
Yea amazing what some timing does huh..

Losing a prop is better than a lower.
Wall art..this is when friend got to close to shore at the romp...then asked think I can get back..told him stay went and got another prop. can't imagine how much it would have shaken above an idle..have to have at least one.
He was saying s**I thought it was sand...not by the bridge and road.he got lucky that's all the happened.

[tnelsmn]

I ran it with a 30 cleaver last weekend with the timing off. The chopper was faster then. But I'll try the cleaver agin this weekend. Book says max RPM on this motor is 5300-5800 and I'm up over 6 so its not making any more power up there. It is stock after all.

[mrichartz]

How much over 6 ? ....
So yea a 30 32 pitch to bring the rpms down should be quicker but till you try...IF you have one to use but since your hanging the 2.5 I'd wait till then...BUT IF you can find a bigger prop would be cool to know????

[Jmr1974]

What year is your 175? I ask because my 1985 175 Mariner would push my Valero to 75mph with ease with a 26 pitch Yamaha drag, I think it would’ve done 80 if I had the balls to stay in it but it felt like it was gonna go into orbit at 75. My motor was bone stock with a coned case and cmc hydraulic jack plate (5” setback I think). To my understanding the Vking and Valero have the same hull and really the only thing different is the deck.

[Jmr1974]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention 75mph with 2 people in the boat averaging 200lbs a piece.