Finally started my v4 crossflow build!!!

[Scream And Fly]

Fantastic post! Build-ups and restos are always my favorite posts here.

[keefallan]

Well, I finally got it completed. It took way to long and life always has a way of slowing things down. But I finally got this Johnrude out on the water. I will pick things up from where I left off.

Piecing the parts together was simple. But it was a grab from here and there........The midsection and steering head assembly was from my 78 140, the trim pump and brackets, came from a 150 parts motor(the 140 was missing these parts). The belly pan was from another donor motor because the 140 belly pan was crushed on one side. But as you can see, the previous owner had drilled holes in the belly pan to access the thermostat housing. It was originally out of round, so I grabbed a unibit and made them round, and siliconed rubber grommet/plugs in place. Unfortunately, I forgot to take the picture of the finished product.

The picture is self explanatory.........p-head finally mounted to the midsection............

Here's the motor fully assembled and mounted on my crab boat. I think the red /black/chrome motor colors turned out pretty good. At this point, All I left to do is run it on mufflers to see that it really runs, and set base timing...........then take it to the water and set timing and run some fuel thru it. After running it for awhile, it was running like a turd........bucking and spitting and it was all I could do to get back to the dock. I found a broken hose for a recirc nipple. I took it home and pulled the carbs. We fixed the hose. It was running so bad, I thought the motor was damaged(like I lost a cylinder/burned one). I did a compression check.........the low hole was 135, and the others were 140.........all good. So, I did a spark check, and all the coils jumped a 3/8 gap setting on my tester with a bright spark......all good. I was running l77jc4 plugs with the double oil. I had the hotter plugs in my shop(the ones spec'd for the 90's v4 crossflows), so, I put them in and fired it up. I went back to the water, and it ran perfect after that...........



Here's the pics of the motor with decals on the hood. I got them from Garzon studios. They weren't a perfect fit....seemed distorted a little. So, I made them match the best the stickers would allow. But the end result looks really nice, and only those who know how they are supposed to look, will know where the changes are.

So this is my set-up. It is a 1982 Ken Craft that my grandfather bought new. I inherited it in 2010 when he could no longer use the boat......and it was in complete state of disrepair. The floor was mush, and it had so many layers of bottom paint..........I decided to restore it in honor of him. But he never had anything bigger then a 50hp on there. And as one who like to go fast in any boat that I am in, I have put motors all the way up to 235's on here. The back end likes to slide too much with big motors trimmed out. But it really responds well to a v4 trimmed out.

I know its not a scream and flier...........but I make it fly as fast as it should safely go. Over the weekend, with the new motor and 6 people on board, I saw 39 on gps..........which was the fastest I have been with the previous 115/140. So, I know that I will easily break into the low/mid 40's with a light load. I also had changed the prop to a smaller pitch.....a 15". Holeshot was awesome and top end better. All truth be told, I was also looking forward to trolling slower with it.......three birds with one stone. This hull responds well to Ballistic props. I have one for large gearcase and now for the small case.

So, this is the final motor for this boat, it just looks right on it. And I love making things faster. This boat is no exception. But make no mistake, my goal is to find a hydrostream or something like it, and put one of my bigger motors on it. I have a modded 175 sitting and waiting. I also have a 135 Chrysler that would look good on an old wood racer.........and I have the plans(prints) to make one. But since the costs of lumber have gone thru the roof, I dunno about that for now. But if anyone's looking to sell/get rid of a speed hull in need of restoring.......let me know

I am a crossflow guy, and will be one till I stop using a boat...........be it a crab boat, a bass boat, or a speed boat.

Thanks for reading.......hope you enjoyed it.

[keefallan]

I want to thank Chaz, FMP, Chris Carson, Bud, and everyone else who helped me get this build done. I am genuinely appreciative of you

[mrichartz]

Nice job looks great...

[keefallan]

I have previously stated that I would show pics of the piston that was winged(been using it for 4 years). This motor had compression numbers of 145,145, 160, and 90.........running fine(mostly). Too long to explain the 160 piston, but the 90 piston was 145.....till it puked.

This is the old powerhead. I was amazed to see what I saw..............

Brackets I fabbed up to be able to mount coils next to 135 heads. I ran a ground wire from both brackets to a common tapped(spare) hole on the block to ensure good grounding..........never had issues with it.

Check out where the ring broke in the lower picture. It took out 1/3 or more of the ring. If you heard the sound the motor made when it happened, you would have sworn that the head was toast and so was the piston. But the piston(although it is ruined) is not as bad as I expected. As you can see from the head picture, the head emerges unscathed from the whole ordeal. The cylinder wall (although showing scuffing), has zero marks in it that I can feel with my fingernail. Has anyone ever broke a ring and been so lucky? It does explain why I was able to use it for so long with zero issues.

[mach351]

Very cool

[powerabout]

great look with the polished parts on the painted block
Do you have a shot from behind?

[LakeFever]

Nice job! Glad to see your project completed it’s always a nice sense of relief when they get resolved

[keefallan]

great look with the polished parts on the painted block
Do you have a shot from behind?

I looked though my photos, and no. I thought I had. But I will take one and post it. Its a really good picture because the bubbleback is chrome powdercoated as well.

And LF.........you are right, it was a BIG relief to get it running right. My thoughts were very morbid about it. Bad plugs and a recirc line broken made it seem like it was done.

[Forkin' Crazy]

Sweet!!! Looks like a new one!!!

[mrichartz]

The picture is self explanatory.........p-head finally mounted to the midsection............

No it's not it makes no sense why did you....just kidding.
Was wondering when your taking it out again and how it does now? So don't forget to update again..

[keefallan]

The picture is self explanatory.........p-head finally mounted to the midsection............

No it's not it makes no sense why did you....just kidding.
Was wondering when your taking it out again and how it does now? So don't forget to update again..

Made me laugh Mr. R!!! I will update things. If the weather is good this weekend.........i wanna run it with a light load........just got 4 more gallons to burn....