SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Projects => Topic started by: LostOkie on February 17, 2009, 12:50:56 PM

Title: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on February 17, 2009, 12:50:56 PM


I have a ’72 Kona 19’ jet with a 455 Olds that I’ve started to completely renovate. The hull is being capped and new gel is being sprayed to bring it back to life. New interior is being built and covered. The pump is being set back and the 455 Olds will be re-used as power. I’d love to make a swap to a BBC, but I can’t justify it at this time because the Olds is a fresh rebuild. This boat is going to be completely cherry when competed.
I would like to change the engine mount from the traditional style to a rail type mount. This will allow me to fabricate a pump brace to help stiffen up the setback pump installation. What type of material should be used for the rails and backer plate? Is 6061 aluminum adequate for this application or should I use something else? Is 3x3x3/8 sufficient or does it need to be larger. Any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Factory502 on February 17, 2009, 01:14:14 PM
Hey LostOakie-
Hey its Bo from the Park- Sounds like winter projects going big- no more little brown Jug??   I just bought material for my rail kit and I got 3x3x 1/4 and 3x 1/4 for the backing plate- I am going to cut an inch off the angle so it will work out to be 2x3- Post up some pics of the progress!

Later
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on February 17, 2009, 02:46:44 PM
Yeah man... the little brown jug is on its way to becoming a sexy panty dropper!!!  We got all the rigging tore out about a week ago and now it is at the painters getting his magic touch. Its getting a cap job and all of the little holes from deck hardware are being filled.  The center console has found its way into the trash and all the interior is probably ashes by now.  I'm gonna do a thread on the complete rebuild as soon as she gets wet again.  I tore the pan off the bottom and checked everything in a lost effort to justify a new 502 BBC or 528 Hemi.  I'll run her until she barks back at me then it will be time for more displacement.

I have a specific idea of how I want the ol' girl to look.  It took me a few months to get everything set in stone, but now there is no turning back. She's gonna be like a brand new ride when I'm done with her.

We are out to the park a few weeks ago checking on things since we left the trailer out there.  OMG... them old fawkers were throwing down Geritol and Viagra like we throw down beer in the summer.  Me and Tina laughed our asses off.  Are you guys coming back this summer? We are hoping to have the Kona re-rigged and ready to get her panties damp by the 1st of May.  There is a lot of work to be done between now and then.  I'll send you a couple of pics of the girl without any rigging.  She was an ugly lady that is gonna become an very nasty girl!
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: KonaCole on February 17, 2009, 03:12:20 PM
Can't wait to see some progress pics.  Here is a pic of my 71 that I restored last year.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on February 17, 2009, 06:09:06 PM
Here are a few pics of the ugly ol' lady.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Factory502 on February 17, 2009, 06:38:50 PM
Damn! she neked!- cant wait to see the progress pics- who is doing the paint work??  we are definatly headin out again this summer, we left our trailer out as well, so we will be out the first or second weekend in May.  It is a trip how the change in dynamics from the summer crowd to the winter crowd are-  I just aquired a boat identical to yours but uglier,  :screwy:  I am about 1/2 way done with the set back and Bottom work on my hondo, but time and money are running out. To make it the way I would really like, is going to need a money injection and a few more months, so I am considering putting the hondo on hold for a bit and throwing a little love toward the Kona so we can have something to play with at the begining of the season and then finishing the Hondo for mid to late summer hopefully
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on February 17, 2009, 07:13:24 PM
Yep... she's naked!  Sal at OC Boat Repair is gonna lay down the gel. I chose to go with a white pearl base with a custom blue that I'm calling Stripper Electric Blue at the cap line and on the bubble.  There is going to be a small accent color of Viper Red to seperate the white and the blue. He's got his hands full. Plus they are having the guys at MPD reset the intake and pump since it is being set back.  I told them that I want it back by the 1st of April so we can begin the process of re-rigging her.  I'm in the process of locating some OT headers to help the Olds breathe a little better and I'm gonna drill an tap the back of the heads to help with oil return during the high RPM (for an Olds) blasts up and down the river.

I can't believe that you found a Kona that is uglier than the Brown Turd.  That has to be one fugly ride. What are you going to use for power in the Kona? Is the Hondo going to be a full resto or just a freshen up?
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Sanger Pete on February 17, 2009, 08:32:33 PM
I think ironman has an olds rail kit already made up. If you're interested, give him a call--I know he'd like to get rid of it.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on February 18, 2009, 10:24:55 AM
Thanks for the lead Sanger Pete.  He doesn't have any kits right now which is OK because I don't really need it for another month or so.

Does anyone have any idea how to get a impeller nut off that is absolutely frozen to the pump shaft.  This fawker is on there!!!!  We tried a really long cheater with ZERO luck.  :banghead: :banghead: I'm a little aprehensive about trying a little heat as I don't want to destroy the pump shaft temper.  Any ideas will be appriciated.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: KonaCole on February 18, 2009, 10:58:00 AM
give it some heat, thats what I had to do to mine.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Factory502 on February 19, 2009, 03:35:28 AM
Use a little heat, should be no issues-
 the Hondo is going full deal except for Gel- keeping OG glitter-  she got a major pump rebuild, shoe, ride plate, intake grate, 5.5" set back,droop, diverter, rail kit, interior, guages, wheel, blah,blah,blah-
    The Kona is looking like it will be getting a dirty garage paint job, seat covers, maybe carpet, and I think I am going to put the BBC out of the Hondo into the Kona, temporarily or maybe permanetly and then build something new for the Hondo- There again, time, money, economy, blah, blah , blah-
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: OC2Vegas on February 20, 2009, 03:41:30 PM
Have a friend here in Vegas that has that exact Kona, same color and everything, complete with the matching engine hatch! buSet up with a 454 and a Berk
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on February 27, 2009, 01:43:19 PM
Here is an update of the project.

The carpet was stripped out and the hull was flipped to begin preparation for the new gel.  They discovered some cracks in the glass where the stringers attach to the hull.  Upon further examination it was discovered that the stringers had become detached and there was some moisture in the stringers however, they were still pretty solid.  We decided to be very cautious and the stringers are going to be completely removed and replaced with new kiln dried clear DugFir. There was some moisture discovered in the floor and that will be removed and replaced also. It's not what I exactly wanted to do when this project was started, but what do you expect when you tear into a 36 year old boat.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Nick on February 27, 2009, 02:25:30 PM
Here is an update of the project.

The carpet was stripped out and the hull was flipped to begin preparation for the new gel.  They discovered some cracks in the glass where the stringers attach to the hull.  Upon further examination it was discovered that the stringers had become detached and there was some moisture in the stringers however, they were still pretty solid.  We decided to be very cautious and the stringers are going to be completely removed and replaced with new kiln dried clear DugFir. There was some moisture discovered in the floor and that will be removed and replaced also. It's not what I exactly wanted to do when this project was started, but what do you expect when you tear into a 36 year old boat.

I belive the saying goes, "do it once, do it right"

Sounds like that is what you are doing, you will be glad you did it in the long run. Sounds like a great project, what part of the river do you guys run on?
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on February 27, 2009, 03:51:53 PM
We are at Rio Del Sol in Big River.  We usually run from there to down to the Lost Lakes area.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Nick on February 27, 2009, 09:43:42 PM
Oh ok, we are down at Water Wheel. If their is enough water I come up to that sandbar on the CA side of the river just above Lost Lake all the time, do you ever hang there?

Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on March 01, 2009, 11:13:55 AM
If that is the "shell beach" area then yeah we started spending some time there last year.  There is a lot of nice hardware that hangs out there.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on March 16, 2009, 09:32:48 AM
Small update time....

We added a little heat to the impeller nut and went at it with a large wrench and a BFH. Still no luck in getting the POS off the shaft. So now it is on to plan "B".  However, since I didn't come up with a plan "B" I'm stuck with a pump that has to be rebuilt and I can't get the freakin' nut off!!!   :banghead:  Does anyone have any ideas??? I'm open to suggestions fellas!

I went down to the paint shop and things are progressing a little slower that I had hoped. Maybe I just have ants in my pants, but my intake hasn't even been removed and glassed in for the set back. The bow tank was still in the boat and there were still screw holes in the deck from all of the old hardware.

I did get all of my gauges and I'll soon beging the process of building the wiring harness. I'm still up in the air as to if I should spend the extra coin for the tinned primary wire or just use automotive primary wire.  Every termination will be heat shrinked so I'm leaning towards not getting the tinned wire.  Does anyone have any input on this subject?

One of the filler necks on my gunnel tanks is broken off, so now I need to find someone that can tig it back on for me and tig me in a fuel level sending unit bung.  If anyone has a round gunnel tank that already has the sending unit I'd be tempted to just swap out the whold tank. 

I'm looking for ideas of how to mount the seats when it's time for them to go in for good.  I'd prefer not to sink deck screws down into my pretty new stringer, so give me some ideas of brackets or something.

Thanks fellas.

Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Luckie Stiff on March 16, 2009, 02:43:52 PM
Okie-

Have you tried a heavy duty impact gun on your impeller nut? Maybe that would be the ticket, swing it by a tire shop and see if they'll have a whack at it.  As for getting your tank migged, my car club bros own Starlite Rod & Kustom just down the road from you in Torrance, give Jack or Edgar a call and they should be able to take care of your tanks.
Tell 'em Skip sent you.

http://www.starlitegarage.com/ (http://www.starlitegarage.com/)
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: 2savage4you on March 16, 2009, 02:51:39 PM
I had the same prob on one of my pumps , but after a good ten minutes of torch time. a big phukin breaker bar and impact we won ;D

HEAT that pig up
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on April 07, 2009, 10:19:53 PM
Hey oklahoma, This is kevin the guy with all the tattoos in the park. doesnt mark have a tig setup? im going to long beach tomorrow to look at a boat. ill tig that shit up for you quick style. i gotta be in long beach by 6pm but i can meet up early.
If that doesnt work, i can pick it up from you, bring it back with me to my shop, tig it up and give it to you, or mark this weekend at the river.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on April 08, 2009, 11:41:22 AM
What's up Kevin!! I think I have Mark talked into doing it.  I'll buy him a bottle of Argon and a case of Silver Bullets and let him have at it.  I'm thinking about making the trip out this weekend to get things ready for summer. The wife and rug rat went back to Oklahoma to visit family for the holiday.  I'm thinking that gives me a perfect opportunity to do a few things to the trailer and not have to worry about them.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on April 18, 2009, 08:10:44 AM
you done yet? ;D
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Factory502 on April 18, 2009, 08:19:06 AM
What up Kevin  How was the river???  Okie how is the boat coming?
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on April 19, 2009, 09:51:46 AM
eh friday flooded the trailer mildly. all clean water thank god. got that deal all setup and fixed, going to look at a lil ole jet in claremont today. if i get it, ill be draggin it out the first of may for some shakedown.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on April 19, 2009, 09:19:29 PM
bo, brian, check this shit out!!!
http://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php?topic=6725.
 O0 O0 O0
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on April 20, 2009, 09:03:16 AM
I went by the shop on friday to check progress. The inside of the bottom was completely ground one to remove a bunch a delamination. It is now one very sturdy bottom. They put down a few layers of mat and finished it off with a couple of layers of woven cloth layed in at 45* angle. The top layer is really nice.  One solid piece from the tip of the bow all the way back to the transom.  Really nice craftsmanship!!!  I was definately impressed.  The new stringers and new floor is in too.  Beautiful clear kiln dried Doug Fir stringers  that are laminated nice and strong to what is basically a new bottom, and 3/4 marine grade ply that has been coated with resin and cloth on all sides to make up the new floor.  I've thought about flowcoating the floor to show off all the pretty work, but I'm gonna stick to the origional plan and shoot it with gel. 

I am still a little pissed that the intake has not been removed and reset yet.  I had to get on that ass a little to let them know that I'm ready to have the hull back so I can start the re-rig!  Summer is here and I need the squirt gun to join in the water fight.

I'll post some pics tonight as I left my camera at home.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on April 21, 2009, 02:04:18 PM
OK... here are a few pics of the new stringers and floor.  I hope that by Friday it will at lease be shot and blocked in a nice coat of polyester primer.  No more "Little Brown Jug" for me!!!
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: JWBOYER21 on April 21, 2009, 02:06:24 PM
Okie, you still need OT's?
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on April 21, 2009, 02:17:45 PM
YES!!!  You gonna let me have yours for the SCJB standard price of $50?  LOL

Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: JWBOYER21 on April 21, 2009, 02:48:29 PM
$50 PER CHAMBER! lol jk! I will know by Sunday-ish if they will be going to you but it's looking good.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on April 21, 2009, 04:07:17 PM
NICE!!!  I'll be impatiently waiting to hear from you.   O0 O0
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on April 21, 2009, 04:28:18 PM
boats comin along brian. lookin good. i hope to have all my kinks ironed out to go may 2nd
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: jet boat performance on April 21, 2009, 08:41:00 PM
boats comin along brian. lookin good. i hope to have all my kinks ironed out to go may 2nd

Konas Lookin Good Bud , SD lets get a thread started on that Schiada Too!
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on April 22, 2009, 08:15:19 AM
I'm thinking that little Schiada would look completely fawkin' sexy all dressed up and sporting a nice big block!

I got some news yesterday that could put a few kinks into my project. I have taken a job up in the Bay Area.  I have to be there by the 11th of May.  So... with the hull still sitting at OC Boat Repair, the engine and all the other parts sitting at my friends place in Gardena, and my ass located way up in the bay it is gonna be a freaking nightmare getting this thing re-rigged and water tested before the freaking summer is completely shot.  Oh well... just another bridge to cross in the adventure of reworking a 35+ year old boat.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: JWBOYER21 on April 22, 2009, 08:58:11 AM
if you need parts picked up and transported, let me know. im all over OC all the time and i go up to torrance every week or so, so i could swing by gardena if needed
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on April 22, 2009, 09:44:02 AM
I appreciate the offer.  I think I have everything lined up and a plan is being formulated.  As soon as I get the hull out of the OC shop I can get it back up to Gardena and start the re-rig. It's gonna take some planning on my part to get back down this way for a long weekend to get the 'ol girl rigged and ready. I think I have all the parts that I'll need, with the exception of those headers of yours the you WILL be selling me for the SCJB standard offer price  ;D , sitting in my friends garage in Gardena. If I do think of something that I need assistance on I'll be sure to take you up on your generous offer.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on April 22, 2009, 07:46:48 PM
I'm thinking that little Schiada would look completely fawkin' sexy all dressed up and sporting a nice big block!
i dunno about all that, maybe next season a small roots style blower or hillborn injection O0 O0 a big block in my 16'er sucker would sink haha!

sucks about the job brian youll get er done.
Tom there is a thread about it in boat showcase.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on May 18, 2009, 08:35:57 PM
Here is a little teaser that I got from the guys at the shop today.

She's not an ugly brown turd anymore!!!
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on May 19, 2009, 05:16:41 AM
git er done
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on May 19, 2009, 08:52:13 PM
I got this one from the shop today....... I about got a freakin' woody when I seen this pic. I think it's gonna look absolutely beautiful when it has the clear on it and it's all polished and shining like a gem!
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: JWBOYER21 on May 20, 2009, 01:43:05 PM
Okie... i got those OT  headers ready if you want to see them. you in el segundo still?
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: 76 Bonneville on May 20, 2009, 02:28:17 PM
Sal and the boys do nice work. Always takes longer than scheduled but in the long run it doesn't matter. Its done right and you'll enjot it for years.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on May 21, 2009, 06:27:27 AM
looks very good, are you gonna have it out this summer?
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on May 21, 2009, 12:19:42 PM
We are hopeing to have it ready for at least the July 4th weekend.  We have plans to be at Rio Del Sol then so hopefully we will see you guys there.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: Factory502 on May 23, 2009, 03:28:33 PM
Hey Brian the boat looks killer keep the pics coming
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: The Chaz on May 25, 2009, 04:06:42 PM
Looks good.  Quality work ;D
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on June 15, 2009, 08:16:02 PM
brian were u able to get anything done while you were down? think itll make it the 4th?
kevin
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: LostOkie on June 16, 2009, 12:13:53 PM
We were able to get a little bit of work done.  I still have a long way to go.  Here is a little teaser.
Title: Re: '72 Kona
Post by: sandeggo on June 16, 2009, 12:41:21 PM
very bad ass dude
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