SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: Double A on April 26, 2010, 07:47:52 PM
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Are Washingtonians allowed here?
I need some help. I'm a waterskier with a malibu flightcraft. I found a 77 bubble deck Tahiti that I may buy on saturday if all checks out. It has a 454 that broke an exhaust valve. Its repairable with a new seat, valve job, bore the block.. etc. I believe it is a 68' closed chamber corvette head on a 80's something block. I am looking to build an approx. 500hp+ engine for it... or more is good. Is this possible with what I have to work with here? I'm on a budget as this is a second mess around boat. I do have a little money to throw at it but want to keep it simple and smart, but not necessarily simple and SLOW!
Anyone have a good running closed chamber 454? Or do we need more here? Tell me please.
Are the closed chamber heads limited in top end rpm? Good or bad for boats? If I built it the way it is now but with the right cam pistons etc..what hp/torque would I be looking at approx?
Or if the crank turns out bad should I do a stroker? Like a 496 or somethin?, but I don't think the closed chamber heads would work for that?.. would I need some open chamber heads for that? Like 049, 781, or 990?
Oh...and I can't imagine this hull is any good over 80 mph is it? I guess I need to keep that in mind if I can actually come up with the engine/pump to do it.
...just some food for thought I guess. Thanks.
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tahiti isnt one of them hulls that you would really want to push the envelope with!
however with the BBC the possibilities are endless! if the motor runs and checks out with your basic compression test, and what not! maybe a tune up and see where it takes you! first things first see if you are going to purchase the boat...then lets go with block and head numbers and see what you got! unless you are really looking for something in paticular as far as heads and block go! if you are looking for just a good tool around boat that when you turn the key and go a 2 bolt main and 049's will get the job done just fine, but when building an engine you half to look at what you have, and what you have to spend money on! you should probably find out what you have to work with first before asking so many questions especially when you throw the word budget into the equation
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Thanks Nordie! So what's pushing the envelope with this hull in your opinion?
Thats the kind of stuff Im looking for before I buy.
Does this hull handle worth beans or what? These are the type of things I want to know. We have a wicked set of dunes here in washington. Its a big maze of islands and channels...kind of fun actually. I don't need to go a hundred but 75 would be ok i guess.
If it wont go faster than my flightcraft forget it ;D
Sorry for so many questions..
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In a word, yes. I'm running closed chamber heads, mild 468, 540HP. Nothing wrong with the 70's Tahiti boats, at that point they were still being laid up with a fair amount of material, and a good layup schedule. Keep us posted.
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Thanks Luckie...That was a very simple answer to my question. I appreciate that. I'm new to BBC.
If you don't mind maybe you could post, or message me your components. I would like to build and engine
based on something proven and not be guessing....any help is appreciated, thanks.
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mid 70's i would say ok, because that is where i am headed with my tahiti...actually my boat isnt a circle boat or anything, but it does actually turn really good, but i do half to watch it, cause i think it will spin out if i really try! oh wait it did spin out on me once...from my understanding is that tahiti's can get a little sketchy on shut down in the 70 ish range!
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Josh-
There is a world of difference between his 77 and your 84. By 84 Tahiti was using chopper guns to produce boats at an amazingly fast rate, 2 day cure time, etc. I'd wager the 77 is a better boat all around, if he's lucky his boat will have the Hornet bottom on it like my 76 Hawaiian (Tahiti clone) did.
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I understand that Skippykins, but what i am getting at is the fact that in general the tahiti wasnt a speed monster period! there is other bottoms or hulls in general to be had! if you want to push the envelope! yes i am going to do it with my tahiti and see what happens we'll see! 70's i am not disagreeing at all cause i would like to do the same thing as well!!!!
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This Boat has a Panther jet that has 3 rides on it since blue printed to by panther. Are they any good?
What pump is on your boat Nordie? You like it? What engine are you running? Tahiti must have used panther exclusively for a while?
I've seen a number of tahiti's with them.
heres the boat if the pics work. What do you think.
2000 bucks, has all accessories to make it run again (minus the rebuild on the engine), new carb, ign. headers 2 batteries, everything.
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2 Things that would make me not buy this boat:
1. Panther Jet- I don't give 2 shits what anyone says, they're not a good pump, they're expensive to repair.
2. Not a full stringer boat. Say what you will, but I prefer stringers from transom to bulkhead.
If you've got $2K burning a hole in your pocket, I'd keep shopping, unless your heart is set on this boat, then it may well be different
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Is that bottom any good Luckie? If you can see it ok.
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Hulls are not as readily available here like in So Cal. I could just about part out the misc. engine and accessories for 2g couldnt I?
Thats not the point but...
I agree on the panther. Not to sure about that. But will it go 75 with adequate power or is it incapable?
This is going to be a smooth water boat with relatively low hp so the stringer thing doesnt bother me that much.
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Given this some thought, $2K is not a bad deal at all. You put this together and enjoy the snot out of it. Looks to be in good shape, bottom looks good. If the jet has just been rebuilt then you're golden. I say go for it. ;)
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Given this some thought, $2K is not a bad deal at all. You put this together and enjoy the snot out of it. Looks to be in good shape, bottom looks good. If the jet has just been rebuilt then you're golden. I say go for it. ;)
But dont expect 75mph out of a Panther
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^^that what I want to know. If I have to convert it that would cost another 2grand or more probably. Then the resale thing
goes down the tubes...
Not even 75 huh...
That may not be enough thrill factor for me. My outboard malibu goes 60 with 21 pitch high five on it. (ski prop)
Throw a 24 or 26 pitch on it it would probably do near 70 but it doesnt have the roar factor or the roost.
I just wanted to do this as a project and have a little fun with it but not even 75 without a major pump mod? thats not good.
Any panther guys care to comment?
Thanks guys.
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Here's a link to a really good write up a guy did on his Panther mods. Seems to have worked for him. He's on here as 78_Tahiti.
http://www.laidbackboatersboard.com/panthovator-mods-results-t494.html (http://www.laidbackboatersboard.com/panthovator-mods-results-t494.html)
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But is it worth the time and money, and still not have a good resale value.
Just my opinion, you know what thats worth.
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Its probably worth a little more $ here in washington for the right person if done right, but I think your probably right 76 bonneville.
A guy may have a little fun with the project but you would be lucky to recoupe your $... let alone the time into it.
If it had a nice berk or dominator I would feel better.
I saw that thread Luckie..Thanks for the link.
I appreciate all your input..Thanks.
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Where in Washington are you?
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140 miles east of seattle....in Yakima
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140 miles east of seattle....in Yakima
What's your budget?
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Not sure...what are you thinkin?
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Not sure...what are you thinkin?
Thinking that I come across stuff all the time, might be worth it to drive South a bit to get the boat you want, or simply up your $$$ to find a better candidate local to you. Check your PMs
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Got that boat done and on the water finally. More work than I was thinkin..
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Looks badass! I have what I believe to be the same boat, I hope mine turns out to look as good. Soooo... what speeds are you seeing?
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Thanks. Its running 6000 RPM on a fresh Panther Jet with jetovator. 63 mph GPS. I want to bring the R's down a bit and go faster if possible.
Boat is rock solid at this speed. 80 mph should be okay in this boat just got to figure out how to get there. I want te expirement with the panther a bit before I give up on it.
Im going to blueprint the bottom of boat and modify the intake grate ride plate to better load the pump.
See what that does.
By the way...Don't ever try to ask Panther for any performance modification advise or parts...they have none! They are actually quite snooty. They do not accept phone calls nor do they return calls. What a joke.