Project Hondo Pantera

« **on:** May 20, 2009, 12:21:36 AM »

Well this project started last summer... just to help "perk" the boat up. My father had bought this bought a few years ago, and was content with it until a certain outboard had beat him

. The boat was pretty much stock pump, no diverter or anything, with a BBC with some fancy headers and a tunnel ram... you know what all the fast guys run.

I told him I had some parts to pep it up, and got a bunch of pump parts and other stuff to help build it up, make it a little more efficient. He agreed to having a 50/50 usage of the boat. So he had brought it to one of the circle races and I took it home. Here is how it sat before.

We brought it back to JR's house... and a HUGE thanks to him for letting me take up room at his house, and use his tools and equipment. It would take me over a year to build the pump half as good at my dirt shack LOL.

After pulling off the Transom adaptor and bowl... it was a fight with the impeller and nut. After all kinds of impacts, leverage, etc... we had to cut the nut off with a die grinder, which really isn't uncommon at all. But then when it was time to pull the impeller off... we realized this pump has never been taken apart in it's life. After hammers, torch's, freezing, etc etc etc... time to get the Saw Zawl out. Don't have any pics but it was a MUTHA to take off

Specially without damaging the shaft ( which we ended up replacing anyways). Here's a couple pics.

« **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2009, 12:24:29 AM »

After enough stripping, prepping grinding, etc... it was finally time to put it back together... try to polish up some old polished items, and make other parts work.

« **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2009, 12:27:32 AM »

There was some fabricating required... and hours and hours of sizing, fitting, sizing, fitting, grinding, more fitting

I ended up making a Ride Plate Buckles Bracket, and making a $60 home made ride plate and shoe, probably isn't nearly as good as an adjustable one... but leave me alone I'm a broke phucka

After a long time of helping build, and building myself hotrods and muscle cars, I just love doing little customizations here and there that alot of people wouldn't notice...

« **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2009, 12:35:11 AM »

Also the Hondo originally came with a delta pad bottom. I decided to go to a round keel, without flipping the boat... ummm never going to do that again

After literally a week laying on my back, applying epoxy, sanding, flattening, 3 hours a day... I'm just gonna flip the f'in boat next time and get it done in a weekend!~

It ended up pretty straight, but I will for sure be going back and flipping it to go over it with a fine tooth comb

Here's an interesting tid-bit. I had aquired this split bowl, I was told it was a "Factory JC Split bowl". It was water lubricated on the bowl bushings, and the exit diameter is about 4.6 inches, and about 2 inches longer, MUCH smaller than a regular split bowl... I figured with a low horsepower boat, it would increase the velocity and potentially help it? I honestly never got a chance to test the theory. It was just too much a pain in the ass to pull the transom Cover. I also had to inlarge the transom adaptor by about 1.2" in diameter just to fit this bowl, which took me about 3 hours to do. I detailed the exit of the bowl with a long shank die grinder to try and make it as straight and as smooth as possible. I've spent many hours on the porting bench so I was decently confident.

Also had to throw some ghost pearl stripes on the bowl just for a touch, alot of people wouldn't notice it but I would know they're there to match the other stripes on the boat.

Also all I had was an old school diverter, no o-ring, I bought at a swap meet years and years ago. It has a very deep reverse directional on it, that I had to chop off to help keep it from hanging in the water. One day I'll be able to afford a cool one like you guys

« **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2009, 12:42:07 AM »

So the "pre" GPS runs were at 58mph.....Made alot of noise and didn't really move anywhere lol. I also added a droop.. didn't have any aggresor ones available at the time, so just got an American Turbine one. I must say the fit and finish of the Aggressor droop was MUCH better than the AT, but oh well.

After pump build it went 68mph... so the pump build was good for a 10mph increase. I just used a super sport loader, but hopefully will be getting a custom built one to try and get the ass a little more out of the water... it still plowed the water pretty well.

After about 2 weeks of running the boat the way it was... I decided it was time to up the horsepower. I took the top end off, ordered a cam, had a set of heads, hoping it would breathe a little better. The heads on their were just some cleaned up oval ports, and I ended up putting some closed chamber 396 Heads on it that were ported and done up by Geoff Mummert. I was told it was a 454 and never really bother to check when I put the top end on... won't make that mistake again. I seen the pistons were .060 over so I just figured it was a 468...

« **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2009, 12:49:28 AM »

I got the boat back together and ran it. It had dual 450 DP's on it, and ran 71mph. I switched over to my 660 center squirters as a back to back test, and picked up 2mph.... total now is 73mph.

I decided to re-ring and bearing the motor about 3 weeks ago, the damn thing just spit oil everywhere. Ray Burnette was EXTREMELY KIND and let me use his shop, tools, and GREAT advice for BBC's. I tore the motor down, and Ray pointed out to me a few things that said it more than likely wasn't a 454 at all. The motor ended up being a .060 396. So actually the little 396 that turned 5000rpm, liked the 1320cfm of carb on it better than the 900cfm of carb... I thought that was interesting.

Ray and I decided to trade shortblocks. He had a 2 bolt, a crank, rods, to trade for the 4 bolt 396, with forged crank and pop-ups. He didn't end up have the pistons I needed so I bought some Pistons from Marcsrollin and had them shipped to me. Once I can find the rod's (big shop lol) I'll be sending the rotating assembly off to balance, and then I'll assembly the motor.

The quest for a pump gas, budget, 80mph boat will continue...

« **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2009, 04:25:33 PM »

Since the motor was out, took the pump apart to have the impeller cut down. Even though it might not be the wisest decision to change the motor and impeller size all at once, I'm fairly confident the motor will still want a "B" Cut instead of the A it had.

So I took the impeller down to Dicucci boats to have it shaved down, where I've had a few other impellers cut. Joey Cucci and family are GREAT for having work done by them, I would recommend them to anyone. Everytime I've come in there to have an impeller cut Joey will put down whatever he's doing and do it right there, and let you watch. I always leave with good work at a great price, and knowing of a shop I can trust.

(Yes I know it's not the right pic lol, didn't take one when he actually cut the back)

« **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2009, 05:01:57 PM »

Good fukin job Tony !

-beerjet-

« **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2009, 05:40:25 PM »

Quote from: beerjet on May 20, 2009, 05:01:57 PM

Good fukin job Tony !

-beerjet-

X2. What a great thread.

« **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2009, 01:05:35 AM »

Holiday weekend comming up, and the motor isn't done

Ray (Moneypit) saved the day again and let me use one of his motors... from pan to carb the whole thing was assembled, just drop in and wire up... didn't even have to touch the headers lol... Finally got it all done tonight and fired it up, hasn't run in 10 years, and got it to idle

So pretty much ready for the River.... oh shit... forgot need to finish something up tomorrow...

« **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:45:34 AM »

Quote from: pw_Tony on May 21, 2009, 01:05:35 AM

So pretty much ready for the River.... oh shit... forgot need to finish something up tomorrow...

yeah, let me know what kinda RPM's you turn with that setup!

im sure the threads on the end of the shaft are worth somethin to push a little water! lol

« **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2009, 11:19:17 AM »

Quote from: Brad @ SoCalJetBoats.com on May 21, 2009, 05:45:34 AM

yeah, let me know what kinda RPM's you turn with that setup! im sure the threads on the end of the shaft are worth somethin to push a little water! lol

You think a 6000rpm rev limiter will be high enough? That impeller is known as a Triple ZZZ cut

« **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2009, 08:24:15 PM »

Made a little progress. Finally found some decent bushed rods, should work alright. This is a "budget" build, but I think some worked over stock ones should be okay for a few river trips a year, didn't get to polish them though $:-\$

Ray let me use his mill, so I set up some stops and drilled some additional oiling holes for the wrist pins, most of the other Eagle rods I've seen had 2 oiling holes, so I drilled into these ones to hopefully help it. Now the bottom end rotating assembly is finally off to balance, after it gets back should be able to finally put the motor together!

« **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2009, 08:32:54 PM »

Since I'm waiting for balancing now, I get to try a hand at polishing something that's not just flat aluminum

Started by blasting the bellhousing and using a bench buffer to try and get a shine out of it.... ahhhh this is gonna take alot longer than I thought

« **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2009, 08:47:01 PM »

Quote from: pw_Tony on June 20, 2009, 08:32:54 PM

Since I'm waiting for balancing now, I get to try a hand at polishing something that's not just flat aluminum

Started by blasting the bellhousing and using a bench buffer to try and get a shine out of it.... ahhhh this is gonna take alot longer than I thought

Try using some 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper on the nude aluminum first, it will literally cut the polishing time by 75%...

Do not sand to and fro

, sand in small circles, making the swirls non uniform.

My nephew is a metal polishing mofo, just can't keep him motivated

Looks like it's gonna turn out awsome.

GT

« **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2009, 08:48:48 PM »

Lookin good HOLLYWOOD

« **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2009, 08:50:01 PM »

Quote from: GT Jets on June 20, 2009, 08:47:01 PM

Try using some 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper on the nude aluminum first, it will literally cut the polishing time by 75%...

Do not sand to and fro , sand in small circles, making the swirls non uniform.

My nephew is a metal polishing mofo, just can't keep him motivated

Looks like it's gonna turn out awsome.

GT

Should I step up to a finer grit after 400? Or should I take it straight to the buffer wheel? Thanks for the advice

« **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2009, 08:50:41 PM »

Quote from: flytime on June 20, 2009, 08:48:48 PM

Lookin good HOLLYWOOD

Names Tony

... and thanks Bob

« **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2009, 09:00:54 PM »

Quote from: pw_Tony on June 20, 2009, 08:50:01 PM

Should I step up to a finer grit after 400? Or should I take it straight to the buffer wheel? Thanks for the advice

I would think that the 400 would be good to go, sort of depends on the quality of the aluminum, cast is normally pretty easy to polish after the 400, if it wont clean up, try 600.

Another little cheat, put a small amount of dishsoap in the water, it cleans and makes the paper last longer

GT

« **Reply #19 on:** June 29, 2009, 11:15:52 PM »

Well finally made some progress, I've spent the last few days trying to get a decent polish out of this bellhousing

Started with 600, then went to 400, then to 220

Damn those cast pits take FOREVER to polish out!
I decided not to make a career out of it, and just shined it up

Still alot better than it was.

RUH ROH

Planning to get a Turn Fin made by our favorite pillow fighter, Beerjet

Also have to fix the RIB under the deck. So we had to strip all the carpet out, not sure if I want to keep the polished wood look, or go back to carpet, thoughts?

« **Reply #20 on:** June 29, 2009, 11:38:41 PM »

Are gonna be out for the 4th??

« **Reply #21 on:** June 29, 2009, 11:46:10 PM »

Quote from: Marcsrollin on June 29, 2009, 11:38:41 PM

Are gonna be out for the 4th??

Nope

Was shootin for it... then realized it's just not gonna happen

Not everyone can paint, build a motor, pump, etc in a week

« **Reply #22 on:** June 29, 2009, 11:47:37 PM »

Quote from: Marcsrollin on June 29, 2009, 11:38:41 PM

Are gonna be out for the 4th??

But it would be fun, as long as this don't happen again

Quote from: Sebastian

Tony wants to know what all you hoes doing over here

« **Reply #23 on:** June 29, 2009, 11:50:53 PM »

Where is that quote from , he's not on the site.

« **Reply #24 on:** June 29, 2009, 11:53:21 PM »

Quote from: Marcsrollin on June 29, 2009, 11:50:53 PM

Where is that quote from , he's not on the site.

I made it sucka....

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

beerjet

jrork

pw_Tony

Brad @ SCJB

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

GT Jets

flytime

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

GT Jets

pw_Tony

Marcsrollin

pw_Tony

pw_Tony

Marcsrollin

pw_Tony