Re: Let The Projects Begin
 

Hey Pat,

I have to swing by the shop on Monday and see exactly what is going on. I am just going by what the mech. was telling me on the phone. Also, with my old motor the motor mounts were all the way up to the top. They say that the 454 and 496 have the same crank centerline but the mech was also saying something about getting the alignment right. I'll find out more Monday.

ANY time somebody tell you that it is a direct bolt in, don't believe it!

Dave

Re: Let The Projects Begin
 

I'm thinking more like four weeks. I want to be completely dialed-in by Apr. 1st.

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I forgot its Feb. all ready. 8 WEEKS 'TILL SB'ing SEASON!!!:)
- I'd be dialing in right now...except its the ice age. I think I can bring a 77-78 to the games too men. :D

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I would guess Dave is shooting for March 1st.
Superbash for April 1st.
Personally I'm thinking 12-13 weeks until May 1st.
We have about 15" of snow in the back yard... :rolleyes:
I did a drive by on the CT River yesterday; she is locked up solid with ice and only a small slot where an ice breaker must have gone through... :(

As far as how fast I think my boat will top out at this year:
75-76mph at 4800-4900rpm spinning a 28p Bravo 1... :drink:

Re: Let The Projects Begin
 

Pat,

I'm definately going to have some hatch clearance issues. I'm hoping it is just a height issue and not length. The risers are MUCH higher on the 496. The pulleys JUST clear the back of the gas tank. I thought that the 496 and 454 have the same crank centerline dimensions? With my old motor the mounts were adjusted all the way up. With the 496 they are all the way up with a piece of 1/4" aluminum plate underneath. It still did not look high enough to get the alignment right. They are looking into the issue that Dave N. mentioned about the washers on the transom assembly.

Nothings ever easy!

Dave M.

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Hey Dave,
May I suggest that you use the bell housing from your old engine. Then you have the same vintage as the transom assembly.
The other suggestion I have for you is to buy lower risers from Imco. I have used their Stainless risers before. They make a version that bolts to the Merc. Pattern. They are like $600, but it might be easier than raising your hatch.
Good Luck Dave!

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Hey Patrick,

I checked the bellhousing part #'s and they are the same old and new, the mounts are the same too.

Dave

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Dave,
The bell housing may have the same part number, but the bushings/spacers that the 2 rear bolts go through may be different. I believe this is what the other Dave was talking about...:eureka:

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Hey Patrick,

I talked to the mech. today and he follwed a Merc. bullitain and took out some springs on the back mounts and the motor dropped down a bit (probably what Dave N mentioned). He took the plates out below the front mounts (I wasn't crazy about that in the first place). Hopefully will be firing her up later this week! Stay tuned for more info and photos.

Dave

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Good News Dave!
Now for the hatch... :(

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I'm thinking I am just going to have to go up a few inches. I don't think it will be that hard to do and won't look bad. I will probably have to have my sunpad redone so it doesn't stick up above the side gunnels. I can get thinner, higher density pad.

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Brought the heads to the machine shop at lunch time today.
Valve job, bowl port & blend, 0.010 face, new springs, retainers, locks, and seals.
Next week the block goes in for a good cleaning, ball honing and cam bearings.

Now for that AZ Speed intake and some blue paint... :evilb:

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Hey PAT...The BLUE PAINT alone is worth .01 mph ...:rolleyes:

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Motors In! :drink:

Notice how close the pulleys are to the stringer. :eek:

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More pics.... How do you like my bilge paint job?

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Looking Good!

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Dave Clean Machine !!!! Did You Get Info On Maryland Y2k ????

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Like New Dave!!!...
(Get rid of that BallValve on the fuel supply...useless...don't know why they are put in at factory???)

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With the new motor I can't close the valve anyway, it will hit the pulley. I think I am just going to take the handle off.

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Lookin good! :drink:

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Looking great Dave!!! The pulley clearance looks fine, agree on just taking the valve handle off - easy win! Can't wait to hear some numbers!



What's Next???:::
Keith

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Before / After. Note trim reservoir caps too! :D

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Hey Keith,

The engine cover looks cool. I like how it relects on to the hatch. Did the engine cover increase, decrease, or no change to the engine height? I'm running into some clearance issues.

Dave

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Really no change at all - technically the SS is thinner than the ABS plastic, but nothing appreciably different. I mounted red LED lights under the cowl for a neat nighttime effect too - BLING!

K

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Looking Great Dave and Keith!

I was away skiing for a few days but I got back in time to pick up my repaired swim platform from the welder this afternoon.
I'm thinking of painting or powder coating it black this time... :cool:

Keep posting guys, it's helping with my motivation... :drink:

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Thanks Pat - I also just installed K&N filter - my local mechanic says (he has a hard time believing it himself) everyone with a 496 that has added the K&N noticed a marked improvement in feel and base performance, we'll see!

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Ya, I'd like to hear the K&N Performance results. If you don't mind me asking, how much was it?

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Dave, did you fire it yet?

The fellow I spoke to at K&N told me that there is vary little if any performance increase with a spark arrestor change on EFI motors. They do filter better, look cool, and are easier to clean though... :D
Time will tell.

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Hey Pat,

They fired her at the shop and winterized her. I wasn't there to hear the rumble. :(

I mounted my hydraulic helm today. Now I need to cut, and assemble the lines. Yesterday and today we are in the 50's here.

I still need to figure out what to do about my hatch. I'm thinking...

1. raise the whole hatch, get sunpad redone with low, high density pad so it doesn't stick up above the gunnel. Not sure if that will work.

2. Leave the hatch were it is, cut out the glass above the engine. Then fabricate some kind of raised box (maybe auto hood scoop). Then cover with vinyl.

I don't spend a lot of time of my sunpad, but I do want it to be able to be walked on.

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How far would you have to raise the hatch Dave?
What part of the engine is going to hit?
I think your idea of raising the hatch would be the easiest solution if it's only an inch or two. More than that, maybe not.
I don't think you will have to remake the sun pad if it's only an inch or two...
Personally I am not crazy about the sun pad. The ladies can sun themselves on shiny gel-coat over fiberglass just as well... :rolleyes:
Hey FX,
Can you make us a couple of flat hatches that will work with the same back seat? :evilb: