SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: 1976 American on May 22, 2008, 04:20:13 PM

Title: 455 help
Post by: 1976 American on May 22, 2008, 04:20:13 PM
I just recenlty obtained a 1976 America. 455 olds, Berkey Jet. The boat is immaculate, and the engine has low hours, but its puking out on the top end. Its got the stock intake and quadrajet carb, and points dist. I'm thinking new carb, intake, distributor, and ignition box. I'm looking for smooth and reliable, so does anyone have any recomendations. Thanks
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: hotrod56cars on May 22, 2008, 04:37:40 PM
... I'm thinking new carb, intake, distributor, and ignition box...

Add a cam and lifters to that also. You'll need custom length pushrods or adjustable rockers too.
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: hotrod56cars on May 22, 2008, 05:13:34 PM
Oh yea, add some crank work and some cylinder head work before you button her back up because once you've got more top end power you'll be using it and your 455 needs oil return mods to live under those RPM's.
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: crewchief22 on May 22, 2008, 07:24:42 PM
Welcome to the site  ;D

Do you have any history on the boat?

Do you know if any oil return modifications have been done yet?

If your not ready to go through the bottom end yet, start with a good Edelbrock Performer intake and either a Holley  or Edelbrock carb.

Up dating the ignition would be a good idea also.
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: AA/Paul on May 23, 2008, 07:57:33 AM
If it's dropping cyl on the top end or when loaded could be plug wires , jetting, or the 1st thing that I would replace is the distributer. Points are a hassle. Pertronics makes an easy drop in system to get rid of them. Or put in an hei. Pertronics are avalible a Kragen/Checkers for 100 or so.
If you're puking oil out the breathers at full throttle .... the oil is backing up in the valve covers!!!!
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: GlassCutter on May 28, 2008, 09:10:01 AM
Anyone have any experience with an E-brock Torquer intake for a 455?  Does $150 sound like too much?
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: hotrod56cars on May 28, 2008, 10:15:05 AM
... but its puking out on the top end...

A really bad choice for a descriptive word on the Olds, it could mean a lot of things...

... If you're puking oil out the breathers at full throttle ....

I read his post over and over trying to decifer if it was actually puking, or not enough power, or  :banghead:

Anyone have any experience with an E-brock Torquer intake for a 455?  Does $150 sound like too much?

That's about right with a little bit of haggling room added ($150).
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: GlassCutter on May 28, 2008, 10:32:41 AM
But is it a good manifold for a big ole day cruiser?
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: TIMINATOR on June 02, 2008, 11:15:37 PM
I'll sell you a torker for $100.00 + shipping. Its glass beaded and ready to bolt on too. I also have other Olds stuff and info.  TIMINATOR  623-877-8553 during business hrs.
Title: Re: 455 help
Post by: GT Jets on June 02, 2008, 11:23:46 PM
What's the fuel pressure, stock stuff sucks but they run OK, I'd check out the fuel system before anything else, also, seen it fifty times, sometimes the points will get changed and the actual spring is left out for them, damn thing will idle and run up to 1500 or so then it sh*ts all over itself.

Start cheap and easy (now where have I heard that before???).

Shoot for about 32* on the dwell.
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