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Jamesbon
10-30-2000, 09:11 AM
Well, I finished her up Friday night, but with a burnt out spotlight and no moon, I decided to wait till Saturday morning for the maiden voyage. Saturday I put about two to three solid hours of various RPM cruising on her, with only a couple one or two second blasts past 4k RPM. It was hard to refrain!! I'm very happy with everything so far. She starts good, runs great, and is the most power I've had yet. The only bad thing was a small oil drip around the timing cover and oil pan gasket. I'll clean her up with some Break Clean, and gob some gasket sealer on there in hopes of stopping that potential mess. The new prop also required a considerable amount of strength on the steering wheel when above 3K rpm. I compensated with adjustmens to the torque steer fin on the drive, but it only made it worse. Then I realized, I was turning the fin the wrong way.....duh!! I'll move the fin the other direction and give her another shot this weekend. Should cure everything. I was very happy to find that the new 388 stroker had NO problem spinning the 15 X 24 nibral bronz prop. It planed nicely and cruised faster than the old cupped 14.5 X 21. I brought her up to 4K rpm slowly (after an hour of break in) then hammered down for a second only to watch the tach climb instantly to 5Krpm. Before the boat could catch up, I pulled back. I'm thinking that if she'll turn 5k no problem, I may add an inch or two of pitch to this prop, or look for a left hand 15 X 25 or X 26. (since that was the original rotation direction) This was achieved with 3 beer drinking, good time a having 175 pounders aboard, and 50 gallons of gas. (....yes, I waited till I was home to drink my beers)

Here's the specs. in case anyone's wondering.....
1971 21 GT
388 Cu. in stroked Chevrolet
Scat 400 crank and Eagle 5.7" rods (I think they're the 5.7's)
540 lift solid roller cam (duration was around 304)
GM Fast Burn Aluminum Heads
JE 16 cc. forged aluminum dished pistons achieving a 10:01 calculated compression ratio
Victor Jr. Vortec intake with 2" spacer
Quadrajet carb
Mallory Unilite marine distributor
33 degrees total advance, 10-11 initial degrees advance
1.5 to 1 aluminum roller rockers
93 Octane gas with one bottle octane boost per 20 gallons http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1229726&a=9073806&p=31904090&Sequence=0
This was at home just after bringing her around from the boat ramp. Performed the pre-flight check, and we were off to Shell Island for the maiden voyage . She's got some girth in this one!! As you can see, I still have to re-fasten the old glove box door. That'll be in the next couple weeks when I add the stereo, amp, sub woofer, and 4 speakers.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1229726&a=9073806&p=31904086&Sequence=0
Our pit stop at Shell Island. At this point I've put about 1 hour of in the water break in time on the engine, also time for a cold one.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1229726&a=9073806&p=31904089&Sequence=0
Another one at Shell Island. Donzi's have gotta be the best looking boats in the world!! http://www.donzi.net/ubb/eek.gif

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1229726&a=9073806&p=31904084&Sequence=0
Here's the rt. hand 15 X 24. And no, she didnt tilt to the left side when underway, but I'd still like to find a left hand 15 X 24 or 15 X 25 since she's a left hand helm.

RickR
10-30-2000, 11:07 AM
Finally! and just in time for the great Fall weather in FLA USA!
Good Luck with the new engine, keep an eye on the new TACH http://www.donzi.net/ubb/wink.gif


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RICKR
mailto:riggerb@aol.comriggerb@aol.com</A>

CDMA
10-30-2000, 11:20 AM
Good to hear it all went well. What do you figure the SB is putting out and what is your anticipated top speed?

Chris

Jamesbon
10-30-2000, 11:33 AM
Thanks Fellas!!

My speedo needs a new pito tube and rubber hose....I'll also bring the neighbor and his GPS once she's fully broken in for an official speed test.

I have no idea what the HP is, but GM built the same motor using a different stroke, carb and pistons (still 383 cu. in @ 10:1) and it put out 500 HP w/a Holley 750. So my guess is that it's b/w 400-500 hp???? Speed, well I'm hoping to go at least 60 something? We'll see in the next couple weeks.

Forrest
10-30-2000, 03:32 PM
The GT looks great!!! Looks like that you've done a lot of work on it since I last saw her in Orlando. Now, that the engine's right, I want to hear that new sound system with those subs, Homeeee!

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Forrest

BERTRAM BOY
10-30-2000, 04:05 PM
WOWWWWW......
That's a lot of cam Nate. BTW what kind of prop is that? I assume it's a Volvo drive?
BERTRAM BOY

MarkG
10-30-2000, 04:11 PM
LOOK'N GOOD WITH A GT ON THE ON THE WATER, WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME. WE JUST GOT HARD FROST LAST NIGHT HERE IN MICH. I'LL BE WINTERIZING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. I'M WAITING TO HERE HOW FAST YOUR BOAT WILL RUN AFTER THE BREAK IN PERIOD!!!!

MarkGT &gt;=^;&gt;

RickR
10-30-2000, 07:03 PM
Hey!
How come no engine pics? Is there something secret under the hatch?

BTW;I would rather see a pic of Kelly in a swimsuit than your ugly old mug. Does she have busted knuckles grease under her fingernails from helping you install the engine?
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RICKR
mailto:riggerb@aol.comriggerb@aol.com</A>

[This message has been edited by RickR (edited 10-30-2000).]

BigGrizzly
10-30-2000, 07:25 PM
Well you kept your word, you said you were go make her look good and go fast. Now its time to keep mine. At Orlando I told you I would make a color copy of my original brochure for you. Well I'm not going to do that, I'm going to give you the original. In return you will post a picture of the engine for all to see.
Good luck and may the engine never let you down.
Randy

GEOO
10-31-2000, 05:59 AM
Looks Great!!! Must sound even better, with that healthy bump stick!!! COOL!!!!!!!!!!
GEOO

Jamesbon
10-31-2000, 08:19 AM
Wow!! Thanks for all your support fellas! I didn't post any engine pics b/c the guy who owned this boat before me must have rolled on cheap paint in the engine bay and it's flaking in there now. But, If I get one from the Port side, it might be okay. Just don't laugh http://www.donzi.net/ubb/redface.gif

Maybe I'll get Kelly in there so you'll tend to ignore the paint. http://www.donzi.net/ubb/wink.gif

Yes, it's a Volvo drive, but am not sure what brand of prop it is. All I know is that it's nibral bronz and came off my neighbors 502/Volvo 24' Cigarette. He was spinning it at 7400 rpm's.

No, Kelly got off easy, all she had to do was turn the little valve on the old cherry picker to lower the engine into the bay.

Randy,
I'll have'em posted by this time tomorrow! I'd be more than happy with a color copy. Where can I send a s.a.s.e. to?

Yeah, she sounds pretty healthy with that cam. Believe me, if I could of had more compression, I would have went with an even bigger cam. There's something about the way a wild motor idles that intrigues me.

Now all I need is an Arneson drive or Volvo SPD E lower unit!!

GeneD
10-31-2000, 09:06 AM
Congrats,
I'm jealous...

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GeneD
007: Stuck at 4600 RPM's and watching the world pass me by in...
Melbourne, Florida

[This message has been edited by GeneD (edited 10-31-2000).]

Jamesbon
10-31-2000, 09:38 AM
Gene,
Pop that 400 in there with 10:1 C.R..

PaulO
10-31-2000, 12:20 PM
Really like that boat!!! Very cool!!! Congrats. What exhaust are you running?
PaulO

Jamesbon
10-31-2000, 12:30 PM
PaulO,
I'm using the Stainless Marine manifolds, and their long tube stainless risers. "Long Tube" = saltwater doesn't mix into the exhaust gas until the very end of the riser, therefor eliminating the risk of reversion. I used to have the old Nicson aluminum logs, what a pain in the a*s to keep tight!! Blew exhaust gaskets all the time.