Dyno Test on 461" engines...
 

Saturday we were dyno testing one of my cousin's 461's (454 cubic inches bored .030" over). The engine is still sitting on Tom Earhart's dyno---there seems to be something wrong with the fuel delivery somehow...and the fuel pump is brand new! Anyway, thus far with what we have; 8.6 cr, 32* timing, stock GM oval port semi-open chamber heads with the larger intk/exst valves installed and some bowl/chamber porting by JimV----JimV said he has these heads flowing within about 2% of a GM rectangle port head. Merlin dual plane intake manifolds, Holley 830cfm HP carbs, stock Merc Thunder Bolt ignition, hydraulic flat tappet cams 224*/224* duration, .510"/.510" lift on 110* lobe seps. The cams are pretty mild for the power he's making. The results are not quite final yet but thus far..... 514 ft# of torque @3500rpm and 460hp @5000rpm. These are with dyno tube style headers....but Jasen (my cousin) will be running with Gil dry stack pipes. He has a 32'Baja that did about 63-64mph with 330hp engines and stock cast iron exhaust manifolds with the "ice augers"(spelling?) in the tailpipes...VERY CRUDE!--- but the boat ran very well for what it was. I with the engines the way they are NOW and by adding the Gil exhuasts he should see a pretty good increase in performance.

I had a 32 Baja I bought new in 1985 built two 461 mtrs very much the same as your cuz only I put B&M 174 blower with 850cfm modified on and boat ran 81mph was a nice set up, mine ran same mph as his with stock 330`s.

Mark, it is possible I'll be getting out of work at 3pm today and would like to study Waterfoul's engine. He won't be out until 5pm so if you have time to open the door I'd appreciate it. Call my cel, 4033962 if you get time. Plus I need to talk to you about some other stuff. Dave

Mark I gained 10mph with the mods I did last winter....your very familiar with what I did, the 330's on steroids... just about what you recomended...are you going to go bigger cubic inch with your motors? to get to 572 ci would you need a different block and crank?is there going to be a Kaama yard sale soon?I might be interested in some of your components.....
Don

Dyno (Don), JimV is going to be posting a few shots of my engine on this forum any time now. Yes, 572's may be in the works. I would only sell my 540's as near complete packages.

Kaama, if you know anyone looking for a set of those #049 casting heads I got from you, I have one set left, still never been on a motor since being re-done, let me know,...you are going to run your 540's before changing to 572's aren't you?....Fred

KAAMA if you go with 572's I've got headers and 1 set of turbos ready to go. Tom has a mtching set of headers to mine and you'd need another pair of turbos. You'd be ready to go 100mph.

Check300, I have to be careful how I word this...and I can't say for sure, but I will be close to or approaching 100MPH with my 700HP NATURALLY ASPIRATED 540's. ;)

Turbos are nice and make tons of power, BUT they're too quiet for me...I want THUNDER coming out of the back end of my boat!

Mark, 9.8 deck big block from Dart allows for a bolt-in 4.5 crank with no machining and using an H beam rod. I'm building 2 short blocks now with them. Plus, they have the stud boss in the lifter valley for the extra head stud, like the Merlin Pro blocks, in case you're interested. Hey, nothing handles worse than a 320 Baja ES over 70 mph. We passed on one a few years ago. The thing kept falling left or right off the chine and when it hit a confused wake, you had to pull the throttles shut. Only 1/2 tabs tamed the thing. Take care

Mark keep me posted on the 540's...when your ready to sell...If I still have a job I may be interested....