SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: Mysocks4 on July 10, 2015, 08:54:11 AM

Title: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 10, 2015, 08:54:11 AM
Can anyone recommend a machine shop that knows what they are doing with an Olds 455? I am referring to the oil modifications for a marine motor. I am in the Chino Hills area but don't mind driving to a shop that knows what they are doing. Thanks..
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 10, 2015, 11:25:37 AM
I'm starting to see a business opportunity here. Anyone want to go in on a machine shop? Lol
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: quick olds on July 10, 2015, 11:51:34 AM
I can do them at my auto shop what ones are you lookin to do oil return passages and clean up the filter housing?  Drill and tap the heads for return lines?  I csn do all three at my shop and just need the heads and filter housing.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 10, 2015, 02:56:57 PM
I had what I thought was a reputable place (Dependable Performance Marine aka: House of Boats) rebuild the 455 for me and I think they just stuck a regular automobile motor in my boat with no mods. Its a long story..

Two weeks ago in Havasu, it backfired and quit running with an hour or two on the motor. 25 compression in #1, 0 in #4 and about 150-160 in all others. Oh, #4 electrode was melted out of the spark plug, other plugs looked ok. #1 exhaust rocker nut had backed off and the rocker was 90* from where it was supposed to be (off of the push rod and valve). Very excessive play in the #4 intake and exhaust rockers. Going to pull heads this weekend.. Will pull motor to check bottom end if there is any damage to pistons/cylinders.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: quick olds on July 10, 2015, 03:21:59 PM
Did it still have oil pressure?  Sounds like a lean condition to me. Do you have adjustable rockers or factory fulcrums?
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Handyman on July 10, 2015, 03:28:59 PM
I've heard rumors that house of boats DO NOT know what they are doing when it comes to jet boats. I've seen pics of jet boats on their property but they had a lot more of the higher end boats (catamaran, high HP performance) style boats...


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Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 11, 2015, 08:23:27 AM
Gauges looked good. Had 60 pounds of oil pressure and was at about 120* when it quit.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 11, 2015, 08:24:53 AM
I've heard rumors that house of boats DO NOT know what they are doing when it comes to jet boats. I've seen pics of jet boats on their property but they had a lot more of the higher end boats (catamaran, high HP performance) style boats...


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I wouldn't let that place lube a bicycle chain. They are crooks and do not know what they are doing.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 11, 2015, 08:26:55 AM
Did it still have oil pressure?  Sounds like a lean condition to me. Do you have adjustable rockers or factory fulcrums?

Has factory fulcrums - non adjustable. Looking into some adjustable ones from Mondello. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: quick olds on July 11, 2015, 01:06:56 PM
Arp makes a nice set if you running a mild cam any will work i went a little bigger in mine and drilled and tapped for a 7/16 screw in but im also running alot of seat pressure with a roller cam. Also snall block ford roller rockers are the same ratio as the biv boock olds and will bolt right on instead of paying the olds prices. Everything hogh performance for the olds will be more than ford and chevy. If i were you i would decide now if you want to put something else in it or not. The olds will be reliable and runz strong with the right mods but dont expect to run with ford or chevy for any period of time in the high performance world without droppin alot of money. I could have built two chevys for what im into my olds but im also trying  to prove a point with it and get into the 80mph range.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: TrollerDave on July 11, 2015, 09:59:49 PM
Arp makes a nice set if you running a mild cam any will work i went a little bigger in mine and drilled and tapped for a 7/16 screw in but im also running alot of seat pressure with a roller cam. Also snall block ford roller rockers are the same ratio as the biv boock olds and will bolt right on instead of paying the olds prices. Everything hogh performance for the olds will be more than ford and chevy. If i were you i would decide now if you want to put something else in it or not. The olds will be reliable and runz strong with the right mods but dont expect to run with ford or chevy for any period of time in the high performance world without droppin alot of money. I could have built two chevys for what im into my olds but im also trying  to prove a point with it and get into the 80mph range.

Most would agree with this.
Now is the time to decide if you want to re-power. Olds can be a good strong runner, to a point and for a price.
Link to a thread from a couple of years ago.
http://www.socaljetboats.com/engine-mechanical-electrical/any-455-specialists-in-orange-county/25/ (http://www.socaljetboats.com/engine-mechanical-electrical/any-455-specialists-in-orange-county/25/)

What kind of boat do you have? Sorry about the troubles. A lot of us have been there.  :banghead:
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: quick olds on July 11, 2015, 11:02:53 PM
True story its a hard decision my olds is yet to be finished but should be at the dyno soon. Estimated at 700 hp though.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: quick olds on July 11, 2015, 11:03:14 PM
But i coulda built a set of bbcs for what im into it.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 12, 2015, 09:27:10 AM
I have been thinking about replacing it. I guess sometimes it is better to cut losses. Ultimately, it is going to depend on how things look when I get into it this afternoon.

Quick Olds - I can relate when it comes to proving a point. I know the Olds motor can be a good long lasting runner.

Thanks TrollerDave. I have a 23' Sleekcraft Jr. Executive with a Jacuzzi/Dominator jet. It's my Edsel..lol
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: TrollerDave on July 12, 2015, 02:11:29 PM
. Ultimately, it is going to depend on how things look when I get into it this afternoon.


Well, since you're not going to be burning up the river at 6k rpms in that, a repair on the olds should do depending on the damage you find.

Hoping for the best. Good luck.  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: quick olds on July 12, 2015, 05:54:34 PM
Ya if its not to bad youll be fine with an olds in that boat.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: quick olds on July 12, 2015, 05:54:48 PM
Either way git er done
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: TrollerDave on July 14, 2015, 09:51:44 PM
Did you get a chance to tear it down?
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 15, 2015, 08:43:51 AM
Got the driver's side head off last night. #4 exhaust sucked the valve seat. The valve kissed the top of the piston, not too bad though. I'm concerned about water/rust in #2 and #3 cylinders though. None of the gaskets on the motor are marine. It's all car stuff.

I'm going to pull the motor this weekend. It still has a stock pan and at this point, I'm sure no oil mods have been done to it. Going to check the bottom end and start gathering up a 10 qt pan/pick up. Got a lot of reading ahead of me about oil mods..lol

I have come across a few posts where the front timing cover has leaked or maybe corroded through a passage; causing oil/water to mix. Is the front timing cover problematic on the 455? As for oil pumps, I have read to stay away from high volume. What oil pump would be good for a river cruiser that will not see anything above 5000 rpm? Any suggestions are appreciated.
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 19, 2015, 10:45:14 AM
After spending hours on here and other sites, I've been swayed to give up on the Olds motor. Feeling like I'm throwing good money after bad with the 455. Going to be replacing it with a 460.

Anybody with a 23' tank pushed by a jet want to chime in on a 460 motor build? I'll be looking for a complete motor and parts as well..
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: B.CR33CH on July 19, 2015, 01:13:31 PM
I have a short block 460 that's a prefect start for 800$


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Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: B.CR33CH on July 19, 2015, 01:15:20 PM
I have head springs arp head bolts rocker arms that I will throw in also


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Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 19, 2015, 01:35:52 PM
Thank you B.CR33CH. I'm looking more for a complete motor (preferably one I can hear run) with mounts and exhaust that I could maybe re-ring and re-bearing to get back on the water. Much appreciated though and I'll keep it in mind.. :thumbup:
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: MorePower on July 19, 2015, 02:20:31 PM
I'll take the olds off your hands


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Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Mysocks4 on July 20, 2015, 08:21:16 AM
Sounds good. Once I gather up a new motor, I'll shoot you a price MorePower. Thanks..
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: TIMINATOR on July 23, 2015, 08:50:40 AM
We build a bunch of the Olds motors, but we are in Phx,Az. In fact, I wrote the Olds article for HOTBOAT magazine years ago. Other than there are some better intake manifolds and heads available for the Olds, the rest of the article is still relevant. We have reliable, iron headed 550-700+ HP pump gas motors running for 6-8+ years with no issues.
The only trouble that folks have with the articles content is that the shops don't know what's important with an Olds or why, and don't do everything as recommended, its an ego thing. I included in the intro to give the shop owner a copy of the article to read, then see what his thoughts were. I recommended to go elsewhere if they didn't want to follow the article completely. I have had a few calls from machine shops that had disappointing results from the article, because they didn't do everything that was recommended, they just picked and chose what to do. Then when it didn't work out, they called me to bitch. I always tried to explain nicely that if they were more versed in the Olds, why read the article at all? Why not write your own article. Treavor's iron headed, dual plane intake, single carb, +.030 455 ran 86 to 88 MPH for years till he sold it and the new owner put a built BBC in it. It runs slower with the Chevy....   We have a lot more happy customers than not.  TIMINATOR
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: selbycnlb on July 23, 2015, 01:25:07 PM
That sounds like something I want


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Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: TIMINATOR on July 23, 2015, 02:09:08 PM
9-6 M-F  9-1 sat  623-877-8553   TIMM     TIMINATOR
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: Maker on July 24, 2015, 06:39:08 PM
I'm interested in reading this article.  I'm in the process of going through my 455 and making some changes
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: RiverRat474 on July 24, 2015, 07:39:12 PM
http://www.vintagejetboats.com/showthread.php?6963-Hot-Boat-Mag-June-2006-quot-Pratical-455-Olds-quot-build-article
Title: Re: Machine Shop
Post by: B.CR33CH on July 25, 2015, 02:50:48 PM
I got heads for my short block for so now it's a long block I'll send you pictures later if you interested 1200$


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