Not sure I'd do it that way. I mean, you know how they're typically plumbed, so I'll spare you that, and I get what you're going for......I think......and if I did it, I would probably try a "balance tube" across the timing cover plate and exit water at the highest possible point at the thermostat housing. Some iintake manifolds don't have rear coolant crossovers so bank to bank cooling can be a major issue. 

But I would be VERY concerned about the number 4 and number 8 cylinder walls being constantly, and directly, blasted with all the cold lake/river water while the other 6 cylinders don't have that at ALL ..............

I just forsee problems there unless extra clearance, etc given to those 2 cylinders and a lot of forethought/planning for it. And even at that, would upset the balance of the engine I would think (Consistent combustion pressures, compression resistance, stuff like that). Sounds like a solution to a non-problem to me.

In a nutshell, I just wouldn't do it that way. Not for Love nor Money.    I could be wrong, and it may work like an Obama Phone.......... 

Ray

I agree with Crewcheif on that weight placement piece of it being a big issue. Marc has it also with the RPM requirements of the jet drives, although I think 5000-6000 RPM is typically the target @ max HP you want to aim for and then "impeller" the pump up to challenge the motor. I know Marc likes his engines to run like at 7000-7500 RPM, so that's a different animal to tackle, and when you start messing with this kinda edgy stuff you need to add pressure taps into the suction housing and bowl areas for guages to monitor potentially disaSSterous pressure levels.

Not quite as simple as "spin it faster, push more water though, go faster".

On V-Drives, the advantage is built in with the engine backwards to begin with. Most of them equipped with the TH400 or the Powerglide are set up with manual valve bodies. The boats, props, gear ratios in the V-Drive case, etc are setup for the boat to fly according to the engine setup in High gear. Low gear is typically only used in the No Wake Zones, etc. TH400's add that third gear that can get crazy, insane fast and require nuts the size of bowling balls to do it. I had a RaysonCraft with a TH400 that I never even hit third gear in before selling it.

Also, on V-Drives, you're not dealing with an enclosed pressure pump. Just an open propeller that, the harder and faster you spin the most agressive cut you can, the better and faster. Faster spinning on THOSE, though, also wears out the V-Drive cases, bearings, bushings, seals and shafts also, so there ARE limits there.

So there you have it. For the most part, the Jet Drive is simply designed not to need all that. It's impeller and inherent design is intended to work at the max efficiency it can whether idling in a NWZ or flat-footing it at max speed. Think of how the centrifugal clutches work on Snowmobiles, Old Rupp Mini bikes, older Kawasaki Mules, etc. that use the goddam huge belt.

That's kinda how a  Jet Drive operates.

Also, understand that if a transmission were used on a jet drive, when it shifts from say .65:1 to 1:1 or whatever, that is also 35% more HP needed to spin it at the same RPM........ 

Ray

I would have a trans built first. It sounds like your gears are WAYYYYY to tall. I run a 2276  with dual carbs in my 4 seat chenowth explorer and have no trouble duning in 3rd and 4th with a full load.

I Like Jon's suggestion, Tony. remember the issues you had with "Aquaholic" before you had the pump done......which was the source of all that is evil in the world.

As far as buggy's, been 25 years since I messed with them back when Unc used to race. Back then, peeps were putting Toyota motors in and Unc STILL ruled in open classes with a 1600cc in ADRA competition.

Unc's thoughts, and still true even today was, "there is no replacement for displacement" works only on a drag strip. It's all about the setup.

Just an old Unc quote for ya! 

Ray

Not in Ca, 55 for 3 or more axles, and limited to the right two lanes 

Daniel

AZ we can trailer at 75 if that's the speed limit.    After a certain weight, you're limited to 65 though.

That thing really is COOL! You can take your boat AND tow a camper for a weekend at the river, lake, whatever....... 

Ray

anyone have a good 460 block laying around?

chris

I've got 2 Chris. Both .030 over, both been run, one has a season on it, one for only about 20 minutes (Moo's original block, spun a rod bearing). Hone marks still look fresh. Pull all the plugs, clean 'em, put 'em together and go!   

Ray

Congratulations! 

Ray

Prolly dual 'starters', high/top mount and standard mount starters, real good idea.
Nice cruiser.

Daniel

Probably. My twin jet's 460's were originally rigged that way also. Starters in stock locations and top mounts also. The secondary "start" buttons were apparently under the hatch.

Good I idea, I agree. In my case though, with 2 engines, seemed a bit redundant to me. If one fails, nurse it to the dock on the other engine.......   

Pretty boat BTW! Pics are small, but looks like the same model as Hallet Dave's.

Ray

This bow rail discussion is getting deep. Iirc, Nordic454 made some billet caps to plug the holes and they were anodized and looked good.

Sent from DROID RAZR MAXX HD

Actually, that's a good idea!  have a few things here Brandon made. Kid is a master fabricator! Another would be to carve the locations out, or at least some of them, for pop-up cleats lke these.

http://www.cpperformance.com/csearch.aspx?CategoryID=0&ManufacturerID=0&SectionID=0&PriceRange=0&SortBy=5&PageSize=12&AndOr=AND&DisplayMode=Grid&Search=pop up cleat

Then you still got a place to anchor the stripper pole..............

Ray

MY GAWD I thought you had a picture of my dad for a second there!

Somewhere, Mom has a pic of pops running my uncles boat he built out at Gilford Lake in Ohio. Basically a 12' aluminum rowboat he put a twin cylinder Wisconsin engine in midship. THEN made a propshaft etc from an old V-Drive and set it up to steer like an airplane with a pedal on each side of the motor.

Was cool, I get it, but was a solution to a non-problem. My dad thought it was the coolest thing ever. So when I put a tunnel rammed 427 in my '73 Nova SS, imagine my surprise how pissed he was after taking it to work one day when his truck was dead.

I thought I was being nice letting him take it......................Never did THAT again.
 
Ray

Looks like an amazing start! Pretty little thing!

Get with Propless. I think he probably knows more what to look for on this hull than anyone. He had his head stuck clean up inside one for a couple years.

As far as the shine? If it's the original gel, stuff is hard and thick as hell and the best way to get it back and last is color sanding it then wax,wax,wax, and wax as long as you own it. Get with me, PM, whatever, my son has turned into a pro at this. Looks like a GREAT boat!

Ray 

Assuming that the story is much as you describe at the beginning of this thread, what do you expect Daniel to say?   Most of you who have actually met him, feel favorably towards him, so it stands to reason that his life is going a bit sideways.  He apparently doesn't think anything he says to a group of guys on the interweb, is going to help him in any way.   He knows where SCJB.com is.  One day he will surface and explain but hoping it happens soon isn't gonna help much.    Bummer but it is what it is.   Until it isn't.   Ya know?

Y'know what John? That's EXACTLY what it is, methinks. And you've met him too, I beleive.

But I don't think it's something that likely needs to be shared here, but at LEAST with Harry!

Ray

Boy, you guys have no vision........What else can you anchor the top of the stripper pole to? 

Ray

I have some hydraulic trim tabs? Is that what you mean? For the "Black Pearl" or whatever you're calling that thing these days? lol.

Ray