Hey Patrick
 

Can you post a pics of you steering setup. I'm probably switching to a dual ram setup and need some dimensions. I want my rams to attach inside of my k-planes if possible. I don't care for the way mine is rigged now. I think my tabs may be closer to the center than yours.

I may have a single ram add-on system for sale if anybody is interested.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Dave, My K-plane are farther apart.
I'll post a shot from home later.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Here you are Dave...

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Dave I Just Did Mine.instead Of Buying New Rams I Used The Ones I Had And Moved The Tabs Out.if You Have To Buy Rams Anyway Buy Short Ones So They Fit Inside The Tabs.like The One John Jr Has On The Race Boat.also If Your Buying Brackets They Make Ones With Lines In Them.looks Much Nicer.remember You Need To Mount Them Even With The Crank Center Line So When You Trim The Drive Up They Dont Both Push In And Blow A Line.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Thanks Mike,

I really don't want to move my tabs. If it comes to that I wil live with them mounted outside the tabs. I wonder if John mounts the tabs on the step hulls closer to the drive? Maybe I will call SB and try to get some info.

Dave

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Dave,
I just looked at a shot of Gary's 1996. The K-planes and steering ram are in the same place as yours.
My boat did not come with K-planes and external steering from the factory.
If I were you, I would buy another ram the same as what you have and mount it the same.
While I agree that shorter rams would be better, I don't think it will matter much.
A lot less work and $$ to add to what you have.
Good Luck!
By the way, Do you have an engine plan yet?

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Patrick,

As far as the motor goes, I am leaning towards a NEW, WARRANTIED, 496 HO. That should be good for 75 MPH any day and 77-78 on good days. I can't stand having down time during the season and I think that package will be the best as far as reliability. I'd like to get a 500EFI but my pockets are not that deep. Still thinking .....

Dave

Re: Hey Patrick
 

hey Dave M ,what type of system is your single add on ? im adding a single mayfair/marine machine add on set up to my 24, maybe i could make it a dual system with your set up. how much $$$? PATRICK: the motor mount you sold me worked great !!! thanks. just got the motor back in recently, still working on mounting oil cooler set up,exhaust, and add on hydraulic system, new rub rail has to go on and swim platform! this project really dragged along,i missed the whole season!!! the boat looks sweet with new paint scheme ! its my mini tiger! looking forward to cruising with you guys next season ! i was pushing for the oct 16 run,but at the rate im going its doubtfull.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Condor,

It's a marine machine system. If you are interested I can get you the measurements.

Dave M.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Dave,
What are you doing with your old engine?
I like your thinking, new with the latest technology.
If you could live with out the warrenty, these can be had for about $5,000 less than a Merc.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Condor,
Did you have your platform made locally?
Mine is in need of repair and powder-coating...

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Are those new motors? How much HP?

I ordered an engine stand (should be here today) and I am going to put it in my garage and play around with it over the winter and try to learn a few things. I can tear apart a computer with my eyes closed but I don't know about an engine. When $$ permits, I'll probably rebuild it and keep it as a spare. I might try to sell the MPI stuff on ebay. You interested?

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hi Dave,
The red engines are Volvo Penta test engines. Most have less than 30 hours. The ECM on my 1999 7.4MPI read 37 when I bought it. The 8.1s come in both flavors, 375HP and 425HP. Shawn sells engines that are ready to run. A friend of mine bought a small block for his Donzi and is vary happy. Another friend will likely by a big block for his Fountain.
As for a mag MPI unit, I'm hoping to buy a Volvo Penta AZ Speed system from the same connection. I may know someone else that my be interested in yours though. How much $$ you want?

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Condor24..
Do you have any pics to post yet? I used to own a Condor. It was awesome, my favorite boat to date. A guy in the Greenwich area now owns and is restoring it. Good luck with your project.
Chris

Re: Hey Patrick
 

hey guys, sorry no pics to post yet,ill get some when i get it more put together (someday) !! i just got out of the hospital after a 2 day stay in the ER. damn kidney stone been after me all summer, 5 times in the ER !! i finally had enough and went under the knife today, now i lose another week on the boat recovering from this, at least its behind me now. pat, i had a local make my platform, his website is allmarinetops.com, mike is his name,my boat was on his site from a few years back, tell him bob brown sent you. he uses someone local to powdercoat. Dave M , measure up your ram when you get a chance,i'll see if it matches mine, i didnt realize they come in different lengths,i hope i have the right one for my boat, it gets tricky with these narrow beams! talk to you guys soon.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Condor,

I'll measure it tomorrow. That's part of the reason I was thinking of just buying a whole system. So I am sure everything is matches.

Dave

Re: Hey Patrick
 

hey Dave : my cylinder from end to end is about 1 foot,that doesnt include the extension ram or attaching mounts,just the actual piston housing. XS marine on OSO sells real nice complete dual systems for reasonable $$. thats the route i would've gone,but i got my MM set up from a friend thru a barter deal,i just had to buy the hoses,drive mount, and brazil valve adapter. parts thru marine machine are just ridiculus $$,thank god for ebay! the # for XS is 513-598-9410,ask for alan hilsinger.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Dave,
Have you progressed any with your projects?
Did you pick out a new engine?
Have you determined what is wrong with your old engine? Is it repairable?

I may have a deal for a little more kick in my ride next year... :D
I'll know more this weekend.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Patrick,

The bilge is repainted. It looks better than it did when new. I am re-rigging all my pumps and electronics. I'm putting new connectors on everything. I cut some wedges to put behind my tab pumps to stop them from leaking. I'll post some pics later.

As far as the motor... I am almost 100% sure I am going to buy a brand new 496 HO. The old engine needed rebuilt at a minimum and I don't feel like screwing around with it right now. I will rebuild it as a spare or to sell later. I am going to order the engine in Jan. I hope to be ready to start testing March 1st.

I'm sticking with my single ram steering but I am completing it to the helm. I removed my silent choice. I also removed my speedo and I'm getting a GPS speedo. I should see VERY high 70's with the 496 HO. :D

See ya,
Dave

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Dave, it sounds like you have a good plan... :cool:
If your boat was running 74-75 with the 385HP, I don't doubt you will be knocking on 80mph with a 425HP.
Good Luck!
I'll be posting a laundry list of my own soon.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Dave,
Are you interested in selling the Fuel Injection and associated parts from your 454mag?
If so, how much $$ ?
I have a freind with a Gen V 454mag carb engine that he may like to convert.
Thanks,

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Patrick,

Yes, I would consider selling the EFI stuff. It's not doing any good sitting in my basement. I also thought about geting a 454 long block, putting the efi stuff on and selling the whole thing. Let me try to figure out what it is worth, any idea?

Dave

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Dave,
A new 454HO base engine sells for about 5K and a reman 454mag long block is about 4K. I think it is much more cost effective if you can rebuild the engine you have on your own. Low hour take out 454mags complete sell for 4 to 5K. I don't think it would pay to buy a long block and bolt your old stuff on to turn around and sell it.
As for the Merc MPI system; I have seen them on e-bay for around $500.

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hey Patrick,
Are Volvo test small blocks available ? I am looking to replace the ford 5.8 in my U19 and a volvo would be an easier swap (my 5.8 was a volvo/ OMC joint venture engine, I had great luck with it but parts are a pain and its tired) I have been told a volvo gm based small block would be a direct swap. Any thoughts? Do you know what a Volvo EFI small bloc complete would cost? thanks
Jim

Re: Hey Patrick
 

Hi Jim,
I think Shawn may be able to get chevy small blocks. I'll send him an e-mail on Monday.
I have a friend here in CT that bought a throttle body EFI 350 chevy to bolt in his 18' Donzi from Shawn last year. His boat had an older vintage drive so the bellow housing, flywheel, and coupler from the new engine did not work. He may also have an extra set of engine mounts. I gave him the ones from my 454 and he likely got a set with his engine. Those parts are just sitting in his barn. He would probably let them go cheap or maybe free. I'm going to see Rubin next Saturday I'll ask what parts he still has.
I have another friend the that Is buying a 502 (8.2GSi) Volvo from Shawn so he'll likely end up with Volvo parts that will not be used with his Merc. drive.
I guess what I'm trying to say Jim, is that even if Shawn does not have any complete Volvo Penta small block packages, we can come up with the parts to help you convert to a chevy.
Talk to you soon,