2.5 280 Rebuild - Who is the go to these days?

**LakeFever** · 07-26-2021, 06:58 AM

Ethanol too is fantastic fuel. There are drawbacks to both. Alcohol absorbs water so that’s problematic. The specific gravity is way less than gasoline too so you go a lot less distance on the same volume. Methanol smoke is awfully harsh to be exposed too. Ethanol isn’t so bad or at least the e85 isn’t. Corn sweetness perhaps? Alcohol is also hard on the oiled surfaces it washes oil and with the condensation troubles makes a lot of milky film.

Alcohol is considerably cleaner though, and the power potential is way higher

**patchesII** · 07-26-2021, 10:48 AM

Using the correct oil and oil ratio helps with wear. Biggest issues are the volume of fuel needed and the need to flush everything after each use. Not really a viable lake fuel but I love it for racing. Burned many, many drums of it

**patchesII** · 07-26-2021, 10:52 AM

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The 2.5 was mine. The OMC powerhead is the one I had on the boat when I flipped it

**John S** · 07-26-2021, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by patchesII

Using the correct oil and oil ratio helps with wear. Biggest issues are the volume of fuel needed and the need to flush everything after each use. Not really a viable lake fuel but I love it for racing. Burned many, many drums of it

Is this the CRT motors you did this with?

**patchesII** · 07-26-2021, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by John S

Is this the CRT motors you did this with?

I only ran one race with billet engines. One power head on Saturday that hung a ring and then another on Sunday. Went back to 280’s after that. I think I ran one race with one of Matthew’s 280’s because my 280 was having electrical issues so we just swapped power heads at a race. We did a little testing together but that was it. I didn’t run his stuff very much.

The Emtron project with Dave was with my Drag engine and 280. We left some on the table because we didn’t want to grenade either of my engines as they were both really nice power heads

**CUDA** · 07-26-2021, 02:19 PM

When the Emtron came along he was making so much power It looked like a spray boat against those big 8's OK with Nitro but still only a 2.5 almost 1/2 the size motor...

I did not know you had one of Dave's motors on your boat what was that about?

Need to get Dave back in the boat, need a 21 ft 1/4 Master

power and weight difference between the two?

How are Jacks new boats doing? vs 1/4 Master.

**patchesII** · 07-26-2021, 03:43 PM

Dave had that powerhead sitting in his shop so we decided, what the hell. Lol. We had just barely started testing when my cable steering came loose during a pass. The crash was instantaneous. You’ve been around boat racing for decades, I’m sure you know how bad losing your steering is. Luckily I was early in the pass and only doing 92 mph when it let go. Pete Elliott and Dave were there in a pickup boat and they both said it was the most violent wreck they’d seen. That OMC was a bad dude. I think the boat had 125 mph in it with that setup.

I think Jack’s QS1 is running fine. There’s some things I would change in the bottom but I’m no boat designer

**moatorbotin** · 07-26-2021, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by patchesII

Whomever you send it to I would keep it 100% stock. Those are great engines and most that stick grinding tools of any kind in them probably screw them up.

i spoke to JSRE before I started this thread and he mentioned a stock rebuild or a rebuild that he machines this or that. Jay’s been around for a minute. But I’m certainly open to listening to all options and opinions before I slap a shipping label on this thing (crated it tonight)

im not an expert, so the more opinions and advice I can get the better.

**CUDA** · 07-26-2021, 10:45 PM

Captain insano who replied earlier could help you out, he's from Mi drive it over

**moatorbotin** · 07-27-2021, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by CUDA

Captain insano who replied earlier could help you out, he's from Mi drive it over

Will reach out, was not aware of him. Thanks.

**CUDA** · 07-27-2021, 07:12 AM

I've been using Tommy Dunn in New Bern NC for 20 years, he prefers the Merc piston, everyone has a opinion

**moatorbotin** · 07-27-2021, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by CUDA

I've been using Tommy Dunn in New Bern NC for 20 years, he prefers the Merc piston, everyone has a opinion

Jay suggested the Wizards, I sent Captain Insane O a message, thanks for the local lead.

I will check out this tommy fella as well, do you have a way to get in touch with him you could share? Thanks!

**CUDA** · 07-27-2021, 11:12 AM

Tommy's Outboard 252 2290356

Wizards are great not sure Tommy said Merc's ask him, Tommy does

Jimmy Clouser work he spins his 1/8 mile boat 11,000 rpms with a 20 prop. always in the top 3.

**patchesII** · 07-27-2021, 11:36 AM

Mercury pistons are better pistons in my opinion. Wizards are good but not quite where the Mercury is. If you do decide to go with the Wizard go with the one that takes the Mercury ring. The ring is what matters the most and no one has a ring as good as Mercury

**rjdubiel** · 07-27-2021, 12:00 PM

Do both wizards, the ones pro marine sells and the light weight race 9999 piston both able to take the merc rings? I know the wizard rings for nic motors are much less than merc gold rings.