540 freshin up "I hope"

[ezstriper]

both very pricey to me...the #6 will cost more than the boat !!! a XR would be a decent upgrade....I run a stock bravo 1 with only royal purple fluid and a drive shower...just take it easy on it...let your wallet be your guide...the hyd steering is a MUST now....

 

[Gimme Fuel]

The newer xr bravos do not seem to handle any more power than the older standards. The gears are bigger in the xr`s but are poor grade metal compared to the old ones. The only advantage they have is a steel tower in the upper that prevents failure from stretching. Imco bravo derivatives are good but pricey and not much warrantee service from what i keep hearing. Look into a BMax from the bravo shop. They have been many improvements in recent years from the new owners and they really stand behind their product. No matter what drive you run though, use the Neo oil from the bravo shop. It is outperforming the amsoil and redline shockproof oils by a long ways on the race scene in bravos. After 25 hours of use amsoil would come out black. The neo has been looking brand new after the same interval and the oil analysis have shown no breaking down. Oil is crutial in a bravo. Biggest cause of failure is gear pitting and the case hardening chipping off. I am going to build a drive oil cooling and filtering system similar to the overpriced Drew marine system. You can build it for 1/3 the cost and it averages a 100 degree drop in drive oil temps. Drive showers help but dont cool the oil enough. Dick (aka Mr. Gadgets on oso) also builds a darn good bravo and builds his own version of that same system. He would be a good person to get a drive from also.

 

[slingblade]

What should I be looking for On the steering? I have now idea.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

It all depends on what you want to spend. Single add on kits are 1200-1500 bucks and dual full hydro setups are 4-5k. Add on kits use your cable helm and a special valve mounted on your stock ram to divert fluid to the external rams. A full hydro setup removes your helm and puts a hydraulic helm on and directly powers the rams. Those are the best and provide the tightest and best feel. Most end up with add on kits due to easier install and lower price. A single add on would make a world of difference but i would go for a dual add on system to equalize forces on the gimbal and provide the best stability. Nice part about the add ons is you can purchase the helm kit and make them full hydro down the road. Hardin Marine have the best prices seems like and i havent heard anything bad about them. Imco makes a good system also but is a bit pricier. Zeigler also makes systems but they are even more spendy.

 

[slingblade]

Back on the motor .. I have the engine room full of new parts and need to get it together.
firsts thing I found out was I had the wrong timing chain set up. so I ordered from Bob a Rollmaster set that should be here in a few days.
I have some work that can be done in the mean time .
We assembled the blower manifold and Pro Systems carbs and got the core plugs installed today. cleaned up the pan and other parts.
Head studs will be here thursday.so I can get the heads on
here is some pics


the carb box




hope to get it together by the weekend

 

[Gimme Fuel]

About time you got back to this! Nice pile of parts you have there!

 

[slingblade]

organization is the key
when something came in I would open the door and throw it in on the pile . All that was missing was the Xmas tree in the middle.

 

[Problem Child]

Cant wait to see you ripping the that Enforcer across Lake Cumberland. She's gonna fly.

 

[slingblade]

well crap! I had a set back today. the head gaskets are wrong. I don't know how but it is what it is. I have no idea how long this will take but sh)t happens. while this may set me back I think I will do the fuel system now if the weather holds out. I was thinking of going with a Magna flow pump and 4 port regulator. Is there a proven fuel system on boats that is better. If it was a car That's what I would use.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

I am using Aeromotive components. They are used pretty widely for hopped up marine motors. You are doing carb so you have many more pump options. I am EFI and needed quite high pressures with my undersized injectors. I went with Aeromotive M1000 pump and matching regulator. A bit overkill, but I shouldn't have to worry about priming problems or vapor lock either. They suck period (Fuel that is). For a filter/water separator I did a large 1/2" NPT unit By Derale Performance from Jegs. Nice unit for the price compared to other "Marine" stuff. I also used that same brand for oil thermostat and dual oil filter setup. I am using 1/2 NPT fittings for fuel line and 1/2" ID tubing and nipples (except for pump and regulator, those use a goofy -16 ORB fitting). After my fuel pump, I picked up a 2"x12" oil cooler that will serve as my fuel cooler trying to build a "cool fuel" system like Merc uses only on steroids. That should be plenty fuel wise. My oil lines use 1/2" NPT fittings with 5/8" ID tubing and nipples.

 

[slingblade]

got the fuel system ordered today all Aeromotive components.I have a huge pile of fittings that I hope to use up. Of coarse not many oring style that the pump and reg uses but o'well.
The head gaskets were wrong again . I don't know what the problem is but I would love to get them on so I can get this thing in . I should know something today.

 

[slingblade]

I need to convert my power steering and alt. to surpentine belt set up.
The supercharger came with the brackets to install the power steering pump for both types of belts .
I could use some help in locating what i need .If you guys know of a place i could get this stuff it would be a big help.

 

[slingblade]

well back on the power plant. We got the heads on and pushrod length checked. started bolting on the Procharger and the water pump, alt, power steering pump. Got the intake bolted up. I have to do some mods to one of the valve covers to clear the procharger and some fab on the intercooler. to mount up straight. Procharge just has you hang it on in front at a offset. It looks like shi# so I am making some brackets to install it straight.

lifters

timing chain set


the head gaskets

the motor with intake




Its getting there

 

[Gimme Fuel]

Looking great!

 

[slingblade]

So as we stand now . I have the water hose's ran,blower on (and straight)
most parts hanging on the motor.
I am waiting on the correct valve covers,push rods, and a different crank pulley. wont be long now. All the parts will be here before the weekend.
So monday looks like the day to button her up. .

 

[slingblade]

Got here early this morning to do some finishing touches on the long block.
I adjusted the valves.installed the stud girdle and fit the new valve covers from Hardin marine. I had to go with this style valve cover v/s the sheet metal ones for clearance. I like these better anyway . I have allot of AN fittings and hose here ,so the next step is running the 4 fuel lines to the carb box and replacing some of the water hoses to braided.

Good looking stuff to be covered by the valve covers



when this is all done and polished I think it is going to look like a big diamond in the hull.

I have a rock crawling trip this weekend at Mt. Eagle Tenn.But when I get back I will not stop till it's running.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

Looking awesome! I can't wait to hear that thing breathe!

 

[slingblade]

Making up fuel lines (lot's of fittings) ,I got the belts on and lined up.going to prime the oiling system and install distributor with new gear.. working late on it tonight and will post some pics later.. It's getting very close now.

 

[slingblade]

Well it seems like one setback after another. But you will have that on the big jobs.
The port side manifold has to have some fab work done to clear the procharger,I ordered the wrong gasket between the manifolds and the risers,. Small stuff but it sure does slow down progress.
going to get boat today and start the fuel system and the three gauges installed

 

[slingblade]

Got the intercooler mocked up. I don't think I can put the motor in with it on.
I got the boat out last night for the first time this year. It was like opening a Xmas gift . I was glad to see that the tank came with 4 1/2 inch fuel bungs already to go..
I am going to remove the super charger and drill , tap and helicoil the three bolts that holds it on. They are 3/8 bolts and no helicoils. I am going to change them over to 7/16. It just looks like allot of stuff mounted on the 3 3/8 bolts in the head to me. I would rather do it now that in the boat after it breaks.
some not so fuzzy pics