Donziweasel
08-14-2007, 08:01 AM
Went out this weekend to a new lake to try the boat. It is about 600 ft (7500ft) higher than my usual lake. I was really nervous, but fired the engine and got her wet. Was really gentle the first 20 minutes to let the new valve springs break in. After 20 minutes, I stopped and then threw down the hammer. Boat came out of the water like a rocket. My wife looked at me with eyes as big as saucers and said "it never did that before". No hesitation, popping, bogging, etc.... just pure HP and torque. Ran her for about an hour or more before trying a WOT the next morning. Did not really pick anything up, 55 @ 4550 on a 20 pitch turbo (thank you Mad Poodle and Big Grizz). All in all, I must have sealed the vacuum leaks, set valves right, set timing right, and put it back together right. The only thing I would have done differently is pulled the engine to do the work instead of leaning into that bildge for 4 days. My back would have thanked me.
The boat, even when running it's best, had little power down low. Felt like a turbo, out of the hole it was doggy and then about mid-range, hold the (*&^ on! Now it has power throughout the entire RPM range. Will probably jet down a size or two, and leave alone. I did notice that it grinds a little going into gear, might have to adjust the linkage, but it wasn't too bad. In any event, it is nice to have the boat running right.
Now a question, if I my engine is in the 315-320 hp range at sea level, but only 257 hp (down 22%) up here, how fast would the boat run if it had all 320 ponies? I am getting 56 on my best day. Buiz, before you reply, we know it will not go 22% faster!:bonk: Rootsy thinks 63.
The boat, even when running it's best, had little power down low. Felt like a turbo, out of the hole it was doggy and then about mid-range, hold the (*&^ on! Now it has power throughout the entire RPM range. Will probably jet down a size or two, and leave alone. I did notice that it grinds a little going into gear, might have to adjust the linkage, but it wasn't too bad. In any event, it is nice to have the boat running right.
Now a question, if I my engine is in the 315-320 hp range at sea level, but only 257 hp (down 22%) up here, how fast would the boat run if it had all 320 ponies? I am getting 56 on my best day. Buiz, before you reply, we know it will not go 22% faster!:bonk: Rootsy thinks 63.