SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: Handi-Crack on October 27, 2015, 07:21:43 PM

Title: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Handi-Crack on October 27, 2015, 07:21:43 PM
So the boat had logs and now going to headers, any tips on how to make the holes bigger? need to go from 3 to 4 inch, some have said mount plywood and use a hole saw but seems a little sketchy. I was thinking using a router and slowly open it up. any tips or help would be awesome.
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: jimpen on October 27, 2015, 07:32:17 PM

So the boat had logs and now going to headers, any tips on how to make the holes bigger? need to go from 3 to 4 inch, some have said mount plywood and use a hole saw but seems a little sketchy. I was thinking using a router and slowly open it up. any tips or help would be awesome.
plywood and hole saw b


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Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Maker on October 27, 2015, 07:51:09 PM
Yes plywood and hole saw use some good painters tape where the hole saw is going to cut and if possible use a nice and sharp hole saw
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Handi-Crack on October 27, 2015, 08:51:41 PM
so should I use plywood no both sides of the hole? how do you mount the wood? I take it start from the outside and cut into the boat?
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: GT Jets on October 27, 2015, 09:11:20 PM
so should I use plywood no both sides of the hole? how do you mount the wood? I take it start from the outside and cut into the boat?

Just the inside.

I use project hardwood plywood.

Very cheap,  screw it to the inside and have your way with it.

Will the holes be close enough in proximity?

GT
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: coors909 on October 27, 2015, 09:16:43 PM

Just the inside.

I use project hardwood plywood.

Very cheap,  screw it to the inside and have your way with it.

Will the holes be close enough in proximity?

GT

Do you have to cut on every boat so you can add headers?  My boat has water logs now.


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Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: GT Jets on October 27, 2015, 09:39:18 PM
Do you have to cut on every boat so you can add headers?  My boat has water logs now.


Sent from somewhere in Cali

Through hull headers rarely have the same outlet location.

My problem is normally big block, small block and Olds, Ford,  MOPAR type crap.
Lol

GT
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: TrollerDave on October 27, 2015, 09:43:31 PM
so should I use plywood no both sides of the hole? how do you mount the wood? I take it start from the outside and cut into the boat?

I've never done drilled into a hull, so if I'm wrong maybe somebody with experience will correct me.

You should just need wood on the back. The hole saw should have a drill bit long enough to reach through the existing hole to the plywood. Maybe pre drill the hole in the wood, center it to the hole in the transom and attach it. I would think tape would work.
The plywood should be just to align the holesaw. Once you start to cut into the hull,  I don't think the plywood serves much of a purpose after that.
Don't push the drill too hard and let the hole saw do the work.
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: GT Jets on October 27, 2015, 09:59:11 PM
Drill from the inside. With the sacrificial wood inside also. The bit won't be strong enough to hold the saw. The saw will stay put on the plywood.

GT
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Handi-Crack on October 28, 2015, 11:34:22 AM
I didn't even think about the hole location. It was an olds now going to BBC. Take it that's why a lot of goes go OT headers after a swap. Is there a way around it?
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: vwagon13 on October 28, 2015, 12:44:53 PM
The inside holes will be different. Hopefully you have the TT headers to mockup their final exit location on transome. I'd be so gentle pushing the holesaw that last 3/8". Ripped up gell coat,fiberglass,paint is a beautiful sight. LOL. Dude just bite the 7.62 round, spend the maybe $300.00 and have a good shop or a close site member help u. Juzz my 2c$ worth,round file it if you care to. Lol
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: GT Jets on October 28, 2015, 01:08:50 PM
The inside holes will be different. Hopefully you have the TT headers to mockup their final exit location on transome. I'd be so gentle pushing the holesaw that last 3/8". Ripped up gell coat,fiberglass,paint is a beautiful sight. LOL. Dude just bite the 7.62 round, spend the maybe $300.00 and have a good shop or a close site member help u. Juzz my 2c$ worth,round file it if you care to. Lol

Just for general information.

When cutting through gel coat,  always tape it up. I use something call clean room tape. Basically very tough vinyl tape.

GT

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Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Handi-Crack on October 28, 2015, 03:20:55 PM
Looks like I'll wait to do that last since the motor is still being built.
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: el mojado on October 28, 2015, 04:06:58 PM
I went from 3" holes to 4" holes for my new tips. I was nervous at first. But it was no big deal. Mark the circle where you will be cutting. Use a hole saw on a drill. TAKE YOUR TIME! PATIENCE! I used VERY light pressure. Little by little. No plywood for pilot drill. Just make sure hole saw is as square to the surface as can be. I started on the gel coat side. Once you get a "groove" going the saw is set and just keep going with it. Patience I say! After I did one, the other was no sweat. Plus, my tips have a nice flange to cover the edge of the hole. It came out looking factory. Good luck.
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Handi-Crack on October 28, 2015, 06:00:10 PM
Well now I'm worried the holes won't even be near where they should be since its olds to Chevy. Guess I'll just have to wait tell the motors in and see what my options are.
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: 76 Charger on October 28, 2015, 06:55:20 PM
Put a 3 inch hole saw on the inside of the 4 inch hole saw to use as guide and take your time. Worked for me. Or mount the headers put exhaust hose to the transom and draw a circle also works
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Hydro Therapy on October 28, 2015, 08:11:45 PM
I would use a 3 inch and cut two holes in scrap ply. Mount those 3 inch slugs in another piece. Mount that whole assembly inside your transom so the slug is squarely in the 3 inch transom hole. That way you can come in with a 4 inch hole saw and use the existing drill bit hole as a guide.


Auto correct bites.
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Your Mom on October 28, 2015, 08:58:22 PM
Most holes in the trans are already 4" even with a 3" tip. Measure it first. A reamer bit on a variable speed drill will grind it out quick if you still need to open it up more. I went olds to ford... I shaved the ends of the hose slightly for the light angle difference. I had 3" aluminum tips an went to 3.5 ss without modifying an still have room in original hole to go 4".
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Handi-Crack on October 28, 2015, 09:44:16 PM
They are a true 3inch hole I hade to enlarge them with the new tips I bought. They are 3 inch with 4 inch ring. I had to open the transom holes to fit them the old tips where 2.5 it was odd. Just used a file last time since it was a small amount
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: vwagon13 on October 28, 2015, 11:46:21 PM
When your finished,you'll be pleased😅
Title: Re: tips on making Transom holes bigger
Post by: Six-Oh-Nine on November 10, 2015, 09:24:58 AM
Put a 3 inch hole saw on the inside of the 4 inch hole saw to use as guide and take your time. Worked for me. Or mount the headers put exhaust hose to the transom and draw a circle also works

x1000 :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Last Olds to Chevy conversion I did went from logs to through headers and the difference was slight enough that I used the original holes and just enlarged them. Obviously, check first... measuring too many times doesn't hurt anything... cutting without can and typically does.
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