Well I finally got a compression test on the engines. The supposedly brand new engines as represented by the PO with "15 hours on them" have compression readings of 25 psi and 90 psi, etc. so I get new engines as well. In July I bought a couple of Prochargers. Jasper is going to build a pair of small blocks for me. I should end up with 450-475 hp engines. It seems that the boat was pretty well balanced with small blocks and Mercruiser transmissions (sold to me as Borg Warners). I'm sticking with the small blocks because I think it will end up as a pretty nice package. The saga continues.

Robert,
Something ain't right. I saw that boat move and I mean really move under the power of those engines. No smoke and they sounded very strong. That boat hauled anal! The engines haven't been run in over a year and may not have been prepped right before storage. You can't just run a compression test on those engines after they have been sitting for over a year. The valve seats surely would get some surface rust and not seal properly.
Besides, a proper compression test is done on a warm engine.
Sure, as long as they are out I'd go thru them ,but make sure you trust whomever is doing the work for you and has done marine engines.
I know of three different engine experts that built marine engines with the valve guides too tight and the valves grabbed while open. Then the valve was in the way of the piston, DOH!
Good Luck!
Dan

Dan,

I hear you but here are the compression test results with notes:

Engine #1

Cyl 1 - 75 .... 20% rings
.....2 - 80
.....3 - 25 .... 90% intake
.....4 - 45
.....5 - 20 .... leakdown 85% intake
.....6 - 50
.....7 - 50 .... 85% intake
.....8 - 35

Engine #2 ....wet

Cyl 1 - 35 .... 50
.....2 - 45 .... 55
.....3 - 40 .... 60
.....4 - 46 .... 55
.....5 - 45 .... 65
.....6 - 25 .... 35
.....7 - 90 .... 100
.....8 - 55 .... 65

I also realize that most of the losses are from the heads, but we're putting superchargers on these engines. This may end up better in the long run if I end up with a dependable boat. I briefly considered big blocks, but they would require a new exhaust and more expensive engines and then I start pushing the limits of the Merc transmissions and it just gets worse.

I'm pulling the plug on this project. I've got two new blower motors (small blocks). One is going in my 1960 pickup truck and I'm selling the other. I'm taking the boat to the scrap yard.

Dan,

Are you interested in the interior cheap?

This boat has been apart for 3+ years and life goes on. It's time to move on.

Robert Patch
manchioneal (at) gmail (dot) com

what shape is the hull in??? I may be the scrap yard your looking for..

WHERE WERE YOU UP TO WITH THAT PROJECT? ANY PICTURES? Sad to hear this.

I had the interior re-done. I bought a couple of Prochargers and had a couple of Jasper engines built for them (small blocks). The stringers up in the very front of the cabin were very poorly repaired. They are cut out, but not replaced. The transom is stripped. I bought new gauges. The transom is in pretty good shape. I've got three Mercruiser transmissions for it and TRS drives.

I think I'm going to put the hull and interior on Ebay and part the rest.

How much for the excalibur? I'm in VA

The boat is in Woodbridge. Give Tim a call at Marine Services. 703-490-5399. We were just going through things today to get it up on Ebay.

If you end up needing to chop it up, before you do, call me, Chris at 804-337-0256. I would love to save it from the scrap yard.