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540 freshin up "I hope"

slingblade

slingblade

Well-known member
Going to do a thread on pulling and tear down of a 540 bb chevy...I bought the boat with paperwork on the 540. I hope that is what I got when I bought the boat.. The motor has 135 hrs. on it. The motor runs great no complaints just want to know what I have. I will be doing a cam change. By the paper work the cam that I have stops pulling @ 4750. and that is where it stops. Like a brick wall.The cam was installed when it was a 502 .The extra cubic inches sucked up allot of the cam In a 502 the max rpm was 5100.Comp cams told me that this cam makes loads of torque and it does. The boat runs 72 gps I have seen 76 as a top speed but
I have never seen it stay there. So let's call it 72. Of course I would like more but That is not why I am doing the tear down. I would just like to have confidence in my power plant. What we will be doing is ;
1: inspect for wear
2:blueprint the motor
3:install new cam and valve springs
4:inspect gimble bearing
5: clean and repaint out drive
6 Install wash out connections
7 change all hose's to braided hose
8: new belts
9:paint motor and add some bling
10:new HP 950 holley carb
11: egt sensor in exaust..
12 MSD ignition.
13:cometic head and exhaust gaskets
I would like to dyno the motor. Is there such a thing as a "Marine dyno".If so where can I take it to tune. I have a dyno Jet chassis dyno But no motor dyno.
I have always wanted to do a "build thread"
At my shop we do all kinds of cool stuff but i never took the time to do a build thread. so here we go
I have removed the manifolds to gain access to the bottom stuff and to add clearance for the motor pull job.
540build.jpg
 
This will be a good project. Sounds like your cam is mismatched for that size engine. I would get all of your specs together and call Bob Madera at Marine Kinetics for a custom cam. It is not as expensive as you would think. He is the man, period, for marine cams.

What other components are in your engine? Head type is a huge factor on how much power you can make. If you list your components (heads, intake, pistons, CR, etc.), that will greatly steer good recommendations your way.
 
Time to meet Joe. He will be doing the wrench turning on this project.
540build001-1.jpg
It's good to have a shop full of good mechanics.:lol:
After pulling the manifolds we then removed the outdrive .
540build004-1.jpg
6 bolts and a cross pin bolt and it was off. You will need to take great care in removing the shift linkage so not do damage it. We put the shifter in full forward position . This makes getting the linkage of easy
the trim rams bushings look a little worn so I will be replacing the
540build003-1.jpg
We then started unhooking the motor . This is also no big job 2 motor mount bolts and 2 rear bolts a few coolant lines.steering lines(quick disconnects) and fuel line ,unplug and that's it.
540build006.jpg
The gimble brg and joints all look great.
540build005.jpg
We are ready to pull the motor .
I have to go to the farm and get a tractor to help get it out.Its lunch time now so after lunch we will get her out and start the tear down..I hope I like what I find :D
 
Here is a pic of the prop.
I went from a 24 lazer to this custom prop.
It made the boat 9mph faster with the same rpm .how that worked out is way above me.
540build002-3.jpg
 
it was my understanding you cant make a 502 into a 540....the stroke on a 540 is too long. or am i wrong?:o
 
had to bring out the big tool!!!!!
540build013.jpg
up up and away with no touchie :rof:
540build014.jpg
out on the ground . I have already bought the beer for a after hours tear down. I won't be able to sleep untill I know whats in there :brickwall::brickwall:
540build015.jpg
 
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