I finally got the engine running today and to say that I'm very happy would be an understatement! This engine is so much different in comparison to the first one that I had built and really shows that the original was plagued with problens from the beginning. Anyway, I'm happy now.

This setup is a lot more aggressive that the first and it shows in the idle quality and how quickly it spools up from idle. This should be a lot more fun. I also think that reversion will be more visible with this setup. There was some evidence at idle though my driveway is funky and some water might have been trapped in the exhaust. I'll just follow the suggestion that Mercruiser recommends when idling (rev the engine slightly to clear any water whe idling for extended periods).

I'll be water-testing the boat this weekend. I still have to get the drive back on it and do some clean-up, but other than that I'm all set. I still have to do an oil and filter change to remove the break-in debris (and fix that oil leak that I was complaining about earlier) but that should not be a big deal.

I can't wait to be back out on the river!

Tom
'83 4Winns

Tom, I have never seen you post before. Congrats on the new motor! Where do you boat. A couple of us keep our boats in Woodbridge.

I've been around for a while.... I don't post as much though.

I'm up in Arlington. I keep my old boat on the trailer in my driveway. It's a 23' cuddy cabin... pretty much the same as the older 4Winns Liberator but with more room (I believe the hulls are the same, the tops are different). I still have some cosmetic work to do.. mostly worried about performance though. Hoping to crack 70 MPH but would be happy with 65. I guess we'll see when it's all broken-in.

Where are you at in Woodbridge?

Oh... I usually put in at the airport though I think I'll be running out of Gunston or Leesylvania more this season (closer to more fun stuff). I just like to hang out on the river with the wife and some friends when we're able.

Feels good don't it.

pretty much the same as the older 4Winns Liberator but with more room (I believe the hulls are the same, the tops are different). What kind of boat is this? I never new anyone else used this hull

PLEASE KEEEP US POSTED ON YOU RESULTS ???? THANKS

From what I've seen, the 4Winns Liberator Hull and the 4Winns Santara hull are the same... the top cap are different (the Liberator has a flatter line than the Santara). The Santara is not a go-fast boat in build.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Tom

I had a 86 241 Liberator,She was a real handful at 65-68. mine had twins. Very ass end heavy. You are probably better off with built single!!! Let us know how she does.

glad to see things are going good for you TOM i think i remember you had a bad motor season last year, and maybe some bad health to boot?? you were posting on boater ed last year werent you??