Nova 23xl with LT1 power (Budweiser budget)
 

What's up folks and fellas. I've had some time off from work, and I've been getting quite literally waist deep in this 82 nova 23 project that I picked up this past winter. It started off as a "real quick" (like that's ever happened) engine swap, since the motor that came with the boat was not worth saving. Me and a good friend spent a day pulling the old merc 260, having to cut the outdrive longshaft in the process. Once the motor was out and the pressure washer got a good workout, it was pretty obvious that the engine mount stringers were garbage, since they had been cut open at some point and not re-sealed properly. Another 2 hours with a sawzall and a prybar, and the stringers are out of it, and ive been up to my nipples in fiberglass the last 2 days patching the engine bay, and building a new back hatch and seat frame... now for the fun part

The motor-
I got a mostly free iron head LT1 out of a good friend's 90s roadmaster, tore it down to check clearances, and gave it a fresh coat of paint. Chevrolet performance supplied a dual plane intake setup for lt(x) usage, as well as a block off plate for the optispark drive on the front of the timing cover. The thunderbolt ignition that came off the 260 mercruiser fell right into place in lieu of the garbage optispark. I posted another thread as a think tank for the cooling system, with almost no interest, but luckily i got enough bad ideas off other threads, and some of the cruiser and jet boat forums. That being said, I've started building my own crossover cooling setup that retains the reverse cooling function of the LT block and heads, with easily accessible cheap parts. I still havent hit my 10 post limit to post pictures, but that should hopefully be a non issue soon.

Welcome! The 80s' 23XL is a tank. I have a friend that put a modded BBC and it still was relatively slow due to the weight. We all want more speed. The LT should be a "economical" dependable wave crusher.. Great rough water bomber. I look forward to following your thread.

Bob

So on the note of a quick update. Ive started pulling staples on the pile of rear bench seat that came with the boat, and using the rotted wood as templates to reframe the seat, with hopes of reusing the upholstery, which is in surprisingly serviceable condition considering how none of the wood used to frame the bench was sealed. I'm taking my time to make sure all the nominal dimensions of the "furniture" are correct to support the new rear hatch that I framed in spruce and sealed in two layers of glass weave.... I'll make a post on that in the near future, because it's a bit of an odd project in its self.

As far as the motor goes, I finally completed the blockoff plates for the LT's supply and return coolant passages. The plates are made of 1/4" mild steel plate, with 3/4" NPT threaded holes to allow me to use brass barb fittings, which should hopefully stand up to brackish raw water cooling far better than the low grade (I believe silicon aluminum alloy) reverse cooling water pump/thermostat assembly ever would... I also managed to source some lightly used brand name mercruiser logs and risers from a boat with closed circuit cooling, and a very cautious owner, who decided to replace them while the engine was being serviced for a head gasket.

Really would love to post pictures of this heap, but I'm still too new on the forum to be allowed to (damn spammers).

Also, a word of advice to anyone looking at any of the "craigslist special" boats that are out there, from the same era... They are around and they are cheap, but if you want to get into one and - like many of us - you don't make the kind of coin to afford a scarab, fountain, insertfastboatbrandhere in good running order, or god forbid new . YES it can be done BUT expect the following.... the transom, stringers and floor are going to need replaced, the outdrive WILL be trash, and the interior WILL be garbage. As with all hobbies, expect to spend the money and the time, and a bit of homework, and reasonable expectations go a LONG way. That being said, thus far, this project has been very enjoyable, and if you have the knowledge, or ability to learn how to do the things it takes to restore one of these boats, PLEASE do, and post your experience on threads like these, because even on a budget, these websites are a wealth of knowledge and they absolutely push the hobby, and "hotrod spirit" that comes with it.

Finally able to upload some pictures, here are some pictures of the initial clean up and tear down of this poorly neglected boat. Cleaned up nicely with a few hours under the blast of the pressure washer.
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And of course, the engine, from fresh out of the oldsmobile, to torn down and checked out. Then pained and finally reassembled with the starting of my cross over cooling block off plates, and in carbed trim with the start of the borrowed thunderbolt ignition. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...025d3888ce.jpg
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Managed to snag some through hull tips with internal flappers today from the local salvage yard... spent a little time with some mag polish and the speed ball, and I'll let you be the judge to how it came out.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...de97868391.jpg
Tonight I spent a lot more time than I expected on reframing my bench seat, doing my best to save the upholstery that came with the boat. Once again, im very happy with how it came out. I'm really looking forward to being able to mock it up in the boat tomorrow without my neighbors wondering what the crazy dude next door is doing at damn near midnight... Therefore, armorall and another coat of rustoleum topside on the bench frame it is... Once again, for those of you following along, I really appreciate the support.