PDA

View Full Version : My Donzi finally is Running



sbdunc12
12-05-2009, 07:17 PM
I don't know if anyone here remembers, but I got onto this forum during the summer to ask for some advice on a 18' Donzi that my uncle gave me. It had a unrepairable 455 Oldsmobile paired to a Berkley jet.
Here is the link to that thread: http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58225

Well, it has been in the shop for the last few months, and it is now running! I decided not to put another Olds in. It had already gone through 2, and I could not find anybody locally who would work with one. Instead I went with a Mercruiser 454 that I got used (low hours) for a good deal. It took a while to find all the parts I needed. The bellhousing is no longer in production so it was hard to find.

I took it out on the lake today and it ran great. I have no idea how fast it is, I will have to wait for a warmer day to find that out (Today was a high if 40 degrees). This is my first time to drive a jet, so that will take some getting used to. It is a little more difficult to maneuver at low speeds, but it is fun to drive.

Here are some pictures of the engine and boat. The engine compartment looks so much better than it did with the olds.
http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/sbdunc12/PC050001.jpg
http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/sbdunc12/PC050003.jpg
http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz260/sbdunc12/PC050004.jpg

Ed Donnelly
12-05-2009, 07:51 PM
Nice rare Donzi,,,ENJOY it when the weather gets a little warmer....Ed

Donzi Vol
12-05-2009, 07:56 PM
I remember the old convo about your boat. I was excited for you then, and I'm VERY excited for you now. So glad to see that it's running. Have fun with it!!!

jl1962
12-05-2009, 07:57 PM
Thar's a COOL old Donzi! :shades:

Congrats on getting it running.

JL

captdennisgray
12-05-2009, 08:27 PM
It must be true !!! Old Donzi's don't die ,,,,, they get better with age.... Great job on getting the boat running again.... hope to get mine to that stage again soon..... enjoy the ride..... Like the colors !!!

mrfixxall
12-05-2009, 08:41 PM
Congrats! Glad to see you finally gotit running:)

BTW i hope you winterized it being that cold during the day,its gonna get colder at night and that when the water in the block WILL CRACK THE BLOCK..

Just giving my heads up!

FIXX

Just Say N20
12-05-2009, 09:54 PM
Congratulations! It looks good.

I like the engine hour meter on the engine shroud. Very clean.

sbdunc12
12-05-2009, 09:59 PM
Congrats! Glad to see you finally gotit running:)

BTW i hope you winterized it being that cold during the day,its gonna get colder at night and that when the water in the block WILL CRACK THE BLOCK..

Just giving my heads up!

FIXX

I drained the block and put in antifreeze as soon as I got out of the water. That would be pretty embarrassing if I lost an engine the second day I had it.

This engine is a lot easier to winterize than other boats I've been around. He set it up to where it only takes about 10 minutes to drain everything and fill it up with antifreeze.

Tony
12-05-2009, 10:16 PM
Sweet color...I think it was called Inca Gold?
The seats also look like a light gold, very cool.


:beer:

yeller
12-06-2009, 05:39 AM
Glad to see you kept the jet. You'll get use to the slow speed handling. It's great at the docks. You'll be able to get into spots you couldn't if you had an outdrive.

LKSD
12-06-2009, 08:05 AM
Nice to see the jet stay in it..:) J

gcarter
12-06-2009, 08:11 AM
Well done and congratulations.

Conquistador_del_mar
12-06-2009, 09:47 AM
That seems to be a good choice for the engine transplant since 454 parts are easy to find. Now you still have a fairly original Donzi jet. You also still have the original 35 year old Rocket trailer under it - that is a real testimonial as to their longevity. I have customers having to replace their 6 year old box framed trailers all the time here at Lake Texoma. If you ever venture up this way from Fort Worth, give me a shout. Bill

BigGrizzly
12-06-2009, 12:29 PM
That is a good job. looks good and will run at least as good as the olds, and last longer.

mrfixxall
12-06-2009, 05:13 PM
I drained the block and put in antifreeze as soon as I got out of the water. That would be pretty embarrassing if I lost an engine the second day I had it.

This engine is a lot easier to winterize than other boats I've been around. He set it up to where it only takes about 10 minutes to drain everything and fill it up with antifreeze.


Another head's up! Those jets put out alot of pressure,before you take it out again the engine water is fed by the jet pump..Check the line pressure going into the thermostat housing,if its too much it will keep the engine to cold and can force the water through the gaskets.. The fixx would be to regulate the pressure going into the engine some how, ive seen people use a ball valve or a water spicket that goes on a house,hoke but it works.. theirs a kit you could but that has a bypass in it to bypass the extra water.looks easy to make..
here's the link..3/4 the way down the page..

http://hi-techperformance.com/HPParts.HTM

ITTLFLI
12-07-2009, 07:26 AM
Congrats! It looks great!

My dad has a 1973 X-18 jet with a 454. I think you make 3 or 4 of us Donzi jet owners on board now..:jestera:

FISHIN SUCKS
12-07-2009, 06:29 PM
Congratulations!!!! Love the boat! Growing up a squirt boat kid/guy, I love the fact that she still has the original Berkley pump on her. Would love to see her run some day, Maybe Kentucky in May 2010 at the AOTH event?!?!?

smbarcelow
12-07-2009, 07:06 PM
Very cool! I miss driving a jet.