Another 454

[gcarter]

I finally got the engine out of the Testarossa today.
Speaking of valve cover decals!!!!! Take a look at these...:eek!::eek!:
There's nothing in the boat's paper work about what engine it came with. It was sold as an '88 in October of '87 so it could have been a 420. In '93 (I suppose after it was out of warranty) it was significantly modified and the owner spent a pretty good chunk of change doing so. I have the build sheet from the machine shop and most of the receipts (Buizilla has seen them).
This is not the intake manifold it came with, nor is it even the manifold that was on it when I bought it.
It does have the corrfect Gil exhaust manifolds and Gil risers, tail pipes, and mufflers. According to the hour meter it has 220 hours total. All I'm planning on doing at the moment is remove the heads and have a valve job done, and clean and paint the engine. We'll see what it looks like after I've removed the heads and pan. BTW, it has a cast pan....is that normal? Please note the non marine fuel pump.
Well, take a look at the pictures...:)

[BUIZILLA]

GC, you ARE going to change the cam right??? :wink:

[gcarter]

Yep, it'll be a very useful engine. The current cam is a custom grind Crane w/solid roller lifters and a valve lift of more than .7" and is good for 7000 RPM. Why anyone would do that is beyond me.

[MOP]

Kind of weird that all of a sudden two of the old hyper BB show up about the same time!

[Cuda]

Does yours have the Crane Gold rockers? I think they came stock.

Mine have Comp 292H cams, raised compression, idles great, and runs like a skeered haint!

I'm about 4200 rpm in the one video, and it will push it to 5200, but I forgot to put on my lifejacket because it was a long idle zone, so I didn't want to push it.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4787457338841161066

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4827696774749998736

[gcarter]

Yes, gold rockers. It has 9.8:1 CR and I forget what cam I'll use, it's still in the box.

[BUIZILLA]

GC, when you get a chance, please fax me the cam card of the NEW cam... did it come with appropriate springs?? or just cam and lifters??

thanx

305.592.5936

[gcarter]

Yep.
Comp cam, lifters, and springs.
As soon as I get to the shop. I'm taking it easy today.

[b.guggenmos]

My 88 Testarossa was powered by an OMC 460 Ford with a King Cobra outdrive. I don't have the hull number as I don't own the boat any longer but it was the original powertrain and I was the first title holder.
Did Donzi use Chevrolets and Fords in these rare boats? Brian

[gcarter]

I don't know the exact time, but Donzi was purchased by OMC and some Fords were used, also some Cobra and King Cobra drives.

[gcarter]

I put the engine on the stand today and this is where I am.......

[gcarter]

Here's a couple more;

[p729lws]

My '86 22 Classic has those exact same valve covers but without the metal plate with the 420 Mercruiser logo. There is space for the plate but it was not there. Were these valve covers only used on the 400/420/440 HP motors? Has anyone seen these on other motors?

Dan

[Cuda]

My '86 22 Classic has those exact same valve covers but without the metal plate with the 420 Mercruiser logo. There is space for the plate but it was not there. Were these valve covers only used on the 400/420/440 HP motors? Has anyone seen these on other motors?
Dan
The 420's in my Formula (1986) have the same valve covers, but it doesn't say "420" on them.

[BERTRAM BOY]

Anti-Freeze in the block?

It's not closed cooling is it?

[gcarter]

It was winterized in Ohio. As soon as I get the block cleaned up though, there is a heat exchanger in its future.

[gcarter]

I went to the Mortec site ( http://www.mortec.com/location.htm ) to check the block and crankshaft #'s. The crank # checked out as a forged crank.
The block # doesn't show up though.......That in itself probably doesn't mean anything. I'm sure Mortec's list isn't exhaustive, but I was curious if anyone knows a little about it???:confused:

[p729lws]

What hull # do you have??

Hull number is DMR22169D686. I'm pretty sure it was a 454 Alpha combo originally so I doubt it had a big HP 454. Same valve covers though.

Dan

[BUIZILLA]

GC, your block is a '90-'91 454 Mark IV truck item

I happen to have one as well...

[gcarter]

GC, your block is a '90-'91 454 Mark IV truck item
I happen to have one as well...
then I guess the block was changed when the work was done in '93.

[p729lws]

George,
Keep the valve covers, they clean up nice!
Dan

[p729lws]

Should have been a 454 Mag boat....


I don't know what the HP rating of the Mag motor was that year but I think the Alpha drive was original w/ close to 600 hrs on it. :eek!:

[Cuda]

I don't know what year the boat is, but I do know in 1987, Merc put some Alphas behing 454/330's and the sticker on the Alpha drive says "454 Mag". I have one of those drives.