1988 32' Hydra Repower and Facelift Project - Page 3

fireboatpilot · 11-06-2009, 09:36 AM

Looking forward to meeting all. We should be finishing up the rear with clear and buffing this weekend so I should have some finished pics next week. Then we'll start the front. Looking at some vinyl today for the logo. All the stainless trim fittings are at the polisher. Ext. boxes will get the gold when we do the front flames. Should be easier taping off. The front will be the bigger flames. Those little ones across the rear deck where killer.

Wildman_grafix · 11-06-2009, 10:50 AM

These are kind of cool if you like that type of look.
http://www.signwarehouse.com/shop/me...egory_Code=VSG
http://www.signwarehouse.com/SGETL-p-SG-KIT-LET.html

fireboatpilot · 02-04-2010, 05:09 PM

OK, It's been quiet over the winter. Couldn't do much with the paint etc. so we concentrated on the power. All new 540's, working on some use of cost effective parts Strike Force aluminum heads and intake with some CNC work (China). Looking to see what can be done with them to save some $ and still produce some good HP. Fired up the first engine today on the dyno. Using a Merlin X intake. Strike Force intake wasn't back from the machine shop yet. First pull without touching anything had a best of 653hp and 589tq. After changing some timing and a few carb spacer changes at the end of the day we found a best of 687hp and 677tq. I'm pretty happy so far and figure theres another 20-30hp to be found in carb work, timing and an intake change. If the weather ever breaks we can get back on the flames and cosmetics. Thanks!

fireboatpilot · 06-05-2010, 10:23 PM

OK it's been awhile. Been working my azz off, running about 6 weeks behind but things are coming together, few big set backs but it's moving along. We never did get to the front flames, Time and budget problems, One of the drives was bad and needed upper gears. We also are using a different drive line setup than the normal Stellings stuff. I wanted to keep with the couplers instead of the solid shafts so we used drive line bells, couplers and bigger driveline shafts. Hopefully this will save some wear and tear on the drives. Since we had to move the engines forward anyway they are now moved forward about 2 feet. Engines came in at a final 715HP and 690TQ with a good wide TQ band. Not bad for a hyd roller motor, 9.2 comp, single carb

fireboatpilot · 06-05-2010, 10:30 PM

Some before and after pics

fireboatpilot · 06-05-2010, 10:34 PM

Engines being dressed

fireboatpilot · 06-05-2010, 10:40 PM

Boxes and drives going on

fireboatpilot · 06-05-2010, 10:44 PM

Dash is near complete! It was all black before, AWFUL!

fireboatpilot · 06-05-2010, 10:48 PM

Some engine compartment work being done. We had to replace most of the main stringers we found to be rotted, yet another delay!

fireboatpilot · 06-05-2010, 10:53 PM

As of today, both drives are on, engines installed and alot of the smaller things are getting done. Gonna run dry tails out the back so another change and lose the tips. Steering still needs to be done, don't think there's any issues thes except for ext ram lines need length. I'll get some more pics next week. Gotta stop and make some more loot! Hopefully we start testing props and drive height in 2 weeks? Fingers crossed. I'm only about $25K over budget, SO FAR!