SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Projects => Topic started by: repoman on February 06, 2009, 05:34:15 AM

Title: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: repoman on February 06, 2009, 05:34:15 AM
well i scored a 76 18ft hondo that i thought was going to be "good enough."  i was even going to name it that...well i shortly relized i have the same desease as many of you..."NEVER satisfied!" so thats the new name.   i started by thinking of all the little things i needed to do to get it lake ready.  next thing i know its a full blown build up.  the only problem is i dont have all winter like normally up here.  instead i need to be breaking this thing in on the lake in 3 months. 

so anyway...im pulling the motor and having some work done.  its getting all new pistons and rings, polishing the rods and crank, balancing everything, the "engine guy" is going to re-work all of the problem areas to make the oil flow better, the heads are getting a valve job as well as a port and polish, all new roller rockers as well as a roller cam.  i already have a tunnel ram and a 850dp to sit on top.  hooker W.I. headers finish that all off.   

i have a jacuzzi wj that came with the boat originally but i have some crazy trades going down on Saturday that is going to put me the owner of a completely rebuilt AND INSTALLED berkeley pump with an AA or A impeller along with a place diverter.  im not sure at this moment what i am going to run but i will figure that out hopefully with some of your expert knowledge!!!  im being told the engine all done and tuned should be in the 500 hp area. along with the ability to run up to 6000+ rpm.  i have some pictures of the first day in the shop and will continue to post up more after every long day working on it. 

as for the gel coat and interior,  this interior is in great shape.  the gel coat is fair...some cracking from neglect.  that i will hold off for a little while.  hope you all enjoy and please feel free for any pointers or sugestions!!!  i wish i had some beer drinking buddies up here...lol...
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: crewchief22 on February 06, 2009, 06:05:06 AM
Good looking project, good luck with the build.

If after all of your crazy trades you still have the Jacuzzi intake housing (part epoxied to the bottom of the boat), I'm in need of one that doesn't have the the fins busted.

Let me know what you end up with.

crewchief
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: repoman on February 06, 2009, 06:18:26 AM
will for sure...or i may know where to locate one...i will pm you when i find out.
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: Ralph Brunt on February 06, 2009, 06:29:38 AM
change the oil pan ;)
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: repoman on February 06, 2009, 06:33:17 AM
a little more specific...all the yellow "blah" is going away.  are you saying a better oil pan?  baffles? thanks!!
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: Ralph Brunt on February 06, 2009, 06:40:28 AM
a little more specific...all the yellow "blah" is going away.  are you saying a better oil pan?  baffles? thanks!!
the sump of your pan is in the front as well as the pick up tube. what happens to the oil under hard acceleration ??? it wants to go to the back of the pan, away from the pickup tube. (starving the motor for oil)
tom at jet boat performance has a good river/lake line of oil pans that he sells.
see here
http://www.performanceboats.com/html/forums/showthread.php?t=28387 (http://www.performanceboats.com/html/forums/showthread.php?t=28387)
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: repoman on February 06, 2009, 06:59:23 AM
thats what i figured...thanks...ill give him a ring here in a day or 2.
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: Nick on February 06, 2009, 07:11:15 AM
Dammit, good call on that pan Ralph, I have the same one. So I guess I need to add that to the list of "things to do" also....
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: FORKEDUP on February 06, 2009, 08:11:32 AM
nice project, keep the pics coming ;D
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: repoman on February 10, 2009, 02:17:31 AM
your not going to believe this but i traded this out...end of project.  i traded for a 76 hallett.  it  has a berk and i will be using the bbf that came from the hondo.  it is white and red and i will put pics up asap...it will be in a knew thread tho.  from what i was told...the boat ran 78.3 on gps with a a impeller and 5800rpm with no droop or diverter.  wonder what it will do with both!! 
Title: Re: 1976 Hondo build up...
Post by: Nick on February 10, 2009, 06:49:44 AM
Repo,

I can't wait to see pics of that Hallett, I just bought a 76 also, is yours a Bubbledeck? Get those pics up!
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