73 Kona project

[7819foot]

My friend Fred has a 1973 Kona in the makings. I'll post various pics as I get them. The coolest thing IMO is the home made engine cradle. It's all welded together, so you just drop the engine and cradle in all at once and you don't have to fumble around with the mounts.

[7819foot]

Some more pics of the engine after re-assembly.
This is a super low-buck project that should be pretty nice when complete.
My friend Fred is putting all of this together.
Pretty impressive to me, considering the fact that Fred only has 1 good hand and no shop. A lot of the hardware on this thing he made himself in his garage including the stainless piping and the engine cradle, etc.

[thompy]

looks good

[Tom@JBP]

Very Cool set up of your Buddy's , kind of resembles what we call a "Rail kit" Very popular in set ups on Jets and V-drives heres an example for comparison Tom
Son Josh and an "install" :

[7819foot]

Very nice.
I suppose when you have a monster engine putting out much more than the mild 300-400hp, something like that would be mandatory, no?

I am only about 1 year into jet boating, so all of this stuff just dazzles me to say the least.
I have built many hot rod cars over the years, but the whole jet boating thing is so much easier for me to deal with since you don't have to worry about brakes, suspension, glass, etc.
At 47, I just want to have fun.
Jet boating is providing just that, in massive doses!

[7819foot]

Picked up these well used headers at the swap meet for $70. A little thermo-tec wrap should hide some of the ugly. Jet pump is fresh. I think the total investment into this boat, minus the long block, will be less than $1500.

[7819foot]

Well, he finally got it painted.
Here's a few pics.
Pretty amazing stuff considering the fact that Fred, the guy building this boat, has only one good hand after several surgeries that resulted in a metal bar in his wrist and a cast that will probably never come off.
The Olds floor emblem was hand cut from a couple chunks of carpet with an exacto.
And of course some pin striping is also needed....
Still needs an interior, but I hope to see this boat on the water this summer.

[elbowcarey]

Looks Great!!! I like the detail in the carpeting thats cool. That motor looks bad ass too.............Looks great good job