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Messages - mstrader77

Pages: 1 [2]
26
Random Boat Parts For Sale / Re: Stock Berkley Parts
« on: February 04, 2014, 05:28:21 PM »
I need a rock grate. How long is it? Is it stainless? Thanks

27
Jet Pumps / Loader and Rock Grate Questions
« on: February 03, 2014, 07:06:37 PM »
The loader that came off my pump is pitted and I don't trust it. It looks like a Sport Edition loader. I was going to install the rock grate off of another pump I have, but it appears too short. The rock grate came off an H-2518 intake. This intake is longer than the H-2155, but the grate bolts closer towards the impeller making the grate short. This leaves about a 2 inch gap behind the grate when bolted in the H-2155 intake.

Here are my questions:

1. How long is the stock rock grate for a JC pump with an H-2155 intake?

2. I notice Berkeley has a 7 and 9 bar grate on their website, but all  the used grates I see are 6 bars (including mine). What are the advantages/disadvantages of the different styles?

3. I have read that loaders improve top speed, but can cavitate out of the hole. Is this true of a sport loader?

Thanks for the help.

28
Hulls / Re: Advice needed on boat stringer/hull reconstruction
« on: February 03, 2014, 06:09:20 PM »
A couple of pictures of the repair. It should be good for another 40 years.

29
Jet Pumps / Re: Berkeley Suction to Intake Gasket
« on: January 29, 2014, 11:10:45 AM »
Mine didn't have any silicone or RTV on it when it was installed. It appears that it had an adhesive backing or gasket tack spray on the suction portion of the gasket. The gasket came off clean and looks in great shape.

30
Jet Pumps / Berkeley Suction to Intake Gasket
« on: January 29, 2014, 09:17:20 AM »
Can the suction to intake gasket be reused on a Berkeley pump? Is this common practice?

31
Hulls / Re: Advice needed on boat stringer/hull reconstruction
« on: December 21, 2013, 07:24:57 AM »
The stringers were not installed in the photos, just the core. The stringers are 2x6 that are about 13' long. Here are a couple of more photos with the stringers in place. I am rebuilding it like it left the factory. Not the best, but I figured it lasted 40 years, so it should be fine for my purposes.

32
Hulls / Re: Advice needed on boat stringer/hull reconstruction
« on: December 20, 2013, 06:51:57 PM »
I decided to replace the plywood core and leave out the foam for now. I have the core installed and the stringers shaped and in place. Just need to break out the fiberglass and resin. Here is a picture of how the core turned out.

33
Engine Mechanical / Electrical / Re: 455 Cam
« on: December 20, 2013, 06:33:12 PM »
Renegade -

The XE268h is what Comp cams recommended for my setup with a max rpm in the 4800 range and an idle of 800 rpm. I noticed that the cam says it is good up to 5800 rpm on the website, but the camquest software shows this cam peaking at around 4500 rpm in a 455 similar to mine. The heads must be killing it.

34
Engine Mechanical / Electrical / Re: 455 Cam
« on: December 20, 2013, 02:27:25 PM »
Is there numbers/letters on the stock cam that would identify it? I believe it is the original 1973 Berkeley Packajet cam, but am not positive. I have yet to pull it out yet. I just know that a couple of lifters are not moving as they should and causing a tick. It may just be the lifters, but I figured I would replace the lifters, cam and springs so they could all break in together.

I contacted Berkeley, but they did not have stock cam information available. They said one of the extreme marine comp cams (268 or 280) are what most guys install. It is interesting that Comp did not recommend one of their marine cams ???

My thought on the AA is to provide good hole shot and cruising performance. It would also keep the 455 from running dry. In my perfect world, turning a AA at 4600-4800 rpm would be ideal.

Thanks for the help.

35
Engine Mechanical / Electrical / 455 Cam
« on: December 20, 2013, 09:24:20 AM »
I need a new cam for my 455 olds. As far as I know, the engine internals are stock. The cranking compression is around 150 lbs. I assume it is an 8.5 to 1 engine since there is no oil cooler. I am running an A impeller in a Berkeley pump. I may switch to an AA at some point. It has an Edelbrock 750 carb, O4B intake, Ka heads and Berkeley logs. Comp cams recommended the XE268H cam. Mondello recommended either the 18-20 or the 20-22 for a little extra. I would like to avoid changing rockers and pushrods, possibly springs.  I am also looking at the XE262H as a possibility. It seems like it would be good with an AA impeller. Does anyone have experience with these cams?

The boat is a 19 foot Fiberform Malibu.

Thanks, Mark

36
Hulls / Re: Advice needed on boat stringer/hull reconstruction
« on: November 01, 2013, 04:38:57 PM »
Thanks for the advice. I pulled the boat to the shop near me and talked to the owner about the best course of action. He was really helpful and gave me a tour of the shop. After talking with him, I've decided to leave the plywood out and will put the foam back in. It sounds like the foam helps a lot with noise dampening and making the hull have a "solid" feel to it.

As far as speed, I only know what the previous owner told me. When he first got the boat (25 years ago), he had to replace the original block with a new one. The person he bought it from let the old one freeze. The engine has/had an Edelbrock OB4 manifold, Ka heads, and an 850DP Holley. It also has an Accel dual point distributor. I don't know what the cam is. The pump has a minor intake loader and 3.125 insert. A guy that used to work for Fiberform during the early 70's claimed the Malibu Jets were good for about 60 mph. So, it doesn't seem like 65 is TOO out of the question. The guy I bought it from said it would only do about 58 currently. I figure the pump and cam are a little tired. These are all taken from the indicated speedo, so they are probably slightly high.

37
Hulls / Advice needed on boat stringer/hull reconstruction
« on: October 31, 2013, 09:12:29 AM »
I am redoing a 1973 Fiberform Malibu jet boat. This boat has a 1/4 inch layer of plywood under the stringers. It appears the plywood was tabbed to the hull, then the stringers were tabbed to the plywood. On top of the stringers, a plywood deck was attached and tabbed to the side of the hull. This created two decks that the seats mount to. In the center was a recessed plywood deck with open bilge beneath. The whole assembly was then coated with fiberglass and covered with carpet. The stringers and all the plywood were wet or rotten. Originally, I was going to replace the plywood and reconstruct it how the factory made it. I talked to a local boat shop about it and they said they would leave the plywood out and add CSM/Roving to reinforce the hull if necessary. This seems like it would be easier than gluing plywood down and would not rot in the future. The cost is about a wash either way. Is there strength concerns that could arise from leaving the plywood out? It seems that the foam would provide plenty of strength and render the plywood unnecessary. Does the plywood transmit the load on the hull to the stringers? Does the plywood act as a giant bedding compound? I am unfamiliar with this type of construction. Hopefully, someone can help me out. The previous owner said the boats top speed was around 65 mph, so I don't want to weaken the structure. Here are a couple of pictures. The red outline is where the plywood sits below the stringer. Thanks for any help.

38
Engine Mechanical / Electrical / Re: 455 Olds Water Pump
« on: October 08, 2013, 08:49:31 PM »
I am thinking of throwing a cheap water pump on for now. Has anyone ever used an automotive pump? How long would it last? It appears to be my only option other than removing the pump. I wouldn't mind removing the pump, but all the cooling diagrams I see involve running the lines through the exhaust first, then into the motor. I have the original Berkeley logs with only one water input in the front and the only outlet is out the risers into the threw hulls. Can this setup be made to work?

39
Engine Mechanical / Electrical / 455 Olds Water Pump
« on: October 07, 2013, 08:08:43 PM »
I recently bought a 1973 19' Fiberform Jet (Malibu?). The engine is a Berkeley Pack-a-jet. There is water leaking out of the water pump weep hole when running. Is there a source for marine water pumps for the 455? I can't seem to find them anywhere. Thanks.

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