SoCal Jet Boats

Discussion => The No Wake Zone => Topic started by: GeneralLee on June 02, 2010, 04:53:59 AM

Title: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 02, 2010, 04:53:59 AM
Hey guys new to this forum and loving it so far...

Been going out to Parker for approx 4 years now with the ol' lady and her family. Her ol' man owns a Sanger and her older brother owns a Jet boat with a 460 Ford. Always loved watching the Jet boats rumbling up and down the river and finally 2 weeks ago decided to purchase my own.

After looking at a dozen Sleekcrafts and Tahitis I ran into a 73 Bandito, yes Ban-friggin-dito. Just liked the was this boat looked with a little wing in the back. Came with a 455 Olds and a Berk Jet with a place diverter (jetohhhvator hehe). This is my first boat ever and allthough I wrenched on old school muscle for the past 6 years, Jet boats are a different kinda animal but nevertheless still love it. Got a long ways to go and learn so for future posts and my own sake take it easy on me and my noob questions guys.

Here's my question: anyone on here know anything about Bandito Jet boats? How common, any good, quality etc... any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thx in advance.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: Brad @ SCJB on June 02, 2010, 05:16:28 AM
Welcome to the site....post up some pictures of your boat...im interested to see it.

I did some extensive searching and didnt find anything related to that name, other then Mouser (a guy who peddles a lot of used boats/parts) selling a bandito flatty v-drive awhile back.

The company name isnt even showing up in the MIC (Manufacturers Identification Code database) which is maintained by the USCG

sounds like a cool boat and youre happy with it....and thats all that matters  :beer:
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 02, 2010, 05:32:36 AM
Thank you.

I will post some pics asap. When I took it down to the river last weekend people were checking it out cause supposedly nobody showed up with a boat like mine before not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing when it comes down to beats hehe. Old school muscle, it would be a great thing. I did some research on google and the only thing that comes up under Bandito boats that I have found was diving boats and cruisers.

The boat was registered and titled at the dmv as a 73 Bandito but then again wtf does the dmv know. As long as you pay them the fee you could register it as a 44 Schwinn hahaha.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: Brad @ SCJB on June 02, 2010, 05:34:49 AM
does it have any numbers stamped on the back of the boat?

if so, what are the first 3 letters?
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: crewchief22 on June 02, 2010, 06:23:55 AM
Welcome to SCJB  ;D

Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: Brendella Pickle on June 02, 2010, 06:47:26 AM
Don't worry too much about not finding info on the net about your's I have had mine a year, constantly searching and only found one piece of info. Glad to have you here! Now let's see those pics!
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: IRRebel on June 02, 2010, 07:54:38 AM
Welcome! Sounds like a fun boat. Can't wait to see it. I never heard of em either, but I'm not an expert.  :thumbup:

Ray

Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 02, 2010, 08:02:26 AM
Yep the numbers are there...I'm currently driving back from vegas I'll get the letters the min I get home and I'll also post the pics.

Thx for all the "welcomes" guys. What's the closest location to take out my boat for a testrun after tweaking on it. I live in Bellflower. The boat has a 455 as mention above, .030 over, 292 cam Bassett Ots no baffles. Don't wanna get hassled by the water police hehe.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: Factory502 on June 02, 2010, 08:47:29 AM
Hey General-
We were parked next to you on the beach on Sat in the ORange and Yellow Challeger w/ the olds in it- You gotta good looking deal- it's got some unique lines- when are you guys heading out again??
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 02, 2010, 09:02:33 AM
Yeah I remember, what's happening man? How was the drive back hehehe?

We were going to go this weekend again but when I got home on Monday I noticed some water in my oil, I got the milkshake bother. I'm hoping its just condensation from the PO not running it and keeping it outside or its my intake mani gasket I'm just hoping its not my head gasket not to mention when I left the beach my f/r cable snapped so I got some wrenching and testing to do. I'll get her running by next weekend. You gonna be up there?
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: Brad @ SCJB on June 02, 2010, 09:17:44 AM
Yeah I remember, what's happening man? How was the drive back hehehe?

We were going to go this weekend again but when I got home on Monday I noticed some water in my oil, I got the milkshake bother. I'm hoping its just condensation from the PO not running it and keeping it outside or its my intake mani gasket I'm just hoping its not my head gasket not to mention when I left the beach my f/r cable snapped so I got some wrenching and testing to do. I'll get her running by next weekend. You gonna be up there?

sounds like your boat is breaking you in good right off the bat  ;) welcome to the world of jet boats. wrench wrench wrench....
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 02, 2010, 09:28:08 AM
Oh yeah many jet boat owners have warned me but I just wouldn't listen haha. I don't mind the wrenching a bit, I love it. Nothing better then a warm afternoon in SoCal and 12 pack of Sam Adams and taking crap apart haha.

I was very satisfied with the first testrun until I ran out of gas lol. Typical jetboats and their fuel sending units.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: 88CARRERA on June 02, 2010, 10:51:15 AM
welcome to the site, they have answers to everything on here! hit me up if you ever want to go boating locally
chris
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 02, 2010, 10:57:47 AM
welcome to the site, they have answers to everything on here! hit me up if you ever want to go boating locally
chris

As a matter of fact I'm taking her out for a test run this weekend. Let me know when and where and I'll be there.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: stc315 on June 02, 2010, 01:37:02 PM
Oh yeah many jet boat owners have warned me but I just wouldn't listen haha. I don't mind the wrenching a bit, I love it. Nothing better then a warm afternoon in SoCal and 12 pack of Sam Adams and taking crap apart haha.

I was very satisfied with the first testrun until I ran out of gas lol. Typical jetboats and their fuel sending units.
I don't even have a fuel gauge anymore. Just run manual ball valves to each tank. Run one tank till it's empty then take it easy till I fill up or take her home. Actually more like one tank up river and then switch and use other one down river. Also have a stick made to check level in tanks.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: CHROMEY on June 02, 2010, 01:55:54 PM
WELCOME TO THE HY-JINKS! :-\
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: 88CARRERA on June 02, 2010, 05:26:20 PM
WELCOME TO THE HY-JINKS! :-\

???
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 02, 2010, 07:06:15 PM
Yep I'm running a valve between my tanks too but I haven't figured it out yet. Its connected to 3 splits, one for the right, one for the left and one I'm assuming to shut the fuel off completely. I'm gonna have to have that fuel gauge working. I don't like running out of gas doing 50mphs on the water and be left without steering hehehe.

Thx for all the "welcome" guys, this forum is great so far. I know I promised pictures but I was busy today after work finishing up my oil change and picking up my valve covers and my tunnel ram from the powdercoating shop. Came out great, I just hope now that I don't have a blown head gasket and it was just condensation.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: 88CARRERA on June 03, 2010, 08:34:46 PM
where is the damn pics yo!
j/k i want to see what you got!
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 04, 2010, 04:09:00 AM
Sorry hehe, will post pics today for sure. I've been busy with mmy TR the last couple of days but now its all buttoned up.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 04, 2010, 03:56:17 PM
The Pics
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: 88CARRERA on June 04, 2010, 04:37:24 PM
nice float! finally!
haha
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: Brad @ SCJB on June 04, 2010, 07:51:02 PM
i can see theres numbers on the transom....whats the first 3 letters?
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GlassCutter on June 04, 2010, 08:52:50 PM
That sure doesn't look like the Bellflower I know in the background.    You do have the makings of a real nice ride there, good luck.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 04, 2010, 08:56:05 PM
nice float! finally!
haha


Thank you sir, she's just giving me a lot of problems now and I'm not very happy with her.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 04, 2010, 09:09:02 PM
That sure doesn't look like the Bellflower I know in the background.    You do have the makings of a real nice ride there, good luck.

Thank you and no it isn't in Bellflower. Those were taken the day I picked her up in Colton hehehe.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 04, 2010, 09:10:52 PM
i can see theres numbers on the transom....whats the first 3 letters?

BND
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: IRRebel on June 04, 2010, 10:35:35 PM
I'm diggin it! looks like a good solid boat there! Should handle rough stuff real well too!  :thumbup:

Ray
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: 88CARRERA on June 04, 2010, 10:54:13 PM
bring her over tommorow. workin on boats all day! beers~
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: TrailerHo on June 05, 2010, 04:01:18 AM
From the Coast Guard Database..

"'BND' WAS BANDITO BOATS, ORANGE, CA; OOB 7/77UPDATE PER CG-5093"
--OOB meaning "Out of Business"

Now if you put BND into search field, comes up with some company out of Florida in the early 90's.  That comment was at the bottom.     Nice boat BTW..   :thumbup:
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: Brad @ SCJB on June 05, 2010, 06:27:18 AM
From the Coast Guard Database..

"'BND' WAS BANDITO BOATS, ORANGE, CA; OOB 7/77UPDATE PER CG-5093"
--OOB meaning "Out of Business"

Now if you put BND into search field, comes up with some company out of Florida in the early 90's.  That comment was at the bottom.     Nice boat BTW..   :thumbup:

youre right.... http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=BND

interesting to see how 2 companies ended up with the same code. explains why i couldnt find the company as 'bandito' in there.

nice boat!
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: sandeggo on June 05, 2010, 07:58:57 AM
hey B
dont get butthurt about replacing everything. ask kari about my deal. i worked on it or replaced something everytime i went out last year. its part of the maddness. the first time i took it out i had zero problems but after that it was all downhill. starter, alternator, flywheel, bigger carb, leaking gas tank, upholstery falling into the alternator while running. etc. etc. etc. now i would like to think all my bugs are getting worked out and it might just be reliable. we will see. i got towed about 6 times last year. Just head up river until you get the kinks worked out.
If you need help when were out there dont hesitate to hit me up.
Kevin
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: lbhsbz on June 05, 2010, 03:14:18 PM
OK....Bandito came over this morning to do some carb work....can't get the mains to stop dumping at idle.  Anyone got a 750/850/anything in the way of a good working carb for sale? 

Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: sandeggo on June 05, 2010, 03:47:06 PM
All I got is a marine 650
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: lbhsbz on June 05, 2010, 04:14:33 PM
is it in good shape?....like..bolt on and go?
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: sandeggo on June 05, 2010, 05:07:59 PM
It's a vacuum secondary I picked up from old guy off PB last year. It works good. It's what I had on my  boat when I met u at the island last year.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 05, 2010, 05:20:58 PM
Pat I'm getting ready to light a match bro hehehe. It worked so good at your house. Fired up stayed running and sounded good. Wtf happened from when I left your house to the drive to my house???

Btw the pump works bitchin dude. Thx.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: sandeggo on June 05, 2010, 05:53:25 PM
Belmir I can bring that carb out with me next weekend, if you need it. When's the next time you and Kari are goin out
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 05, 2010, 06:54:27 PM
We are going next weekend...not sure at this point if its the carb not brother. If pat is cool enough hehehe I'll swing by his place tomorrow again to make sure if its the carb, if it is I'll take yours off your hands dude.

Pm me how much....

How bout it pat? Tomorrow 10 am?
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: Ralph Brunt on June 05, 2010, 07:29:29 PM
so i roll over to pats to check out the bandito and when i get there, they got the forking street blocked, drinking beers and smokin cigaretts. no wonder the damn carb dont work :o
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10041/007.JPG)
god i love this place and the people in it.

hope you can make it to big river for fathers day. nice meeting you :thumbup:
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: sandeggo on June 05, 2010, 07:29:59 PM
Well if it is, well throw it on next weekend, if it works we will figure somethin out, I'm not really worried about it.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 05, 2010, 08:18:59 PM
so i roll over to pats to check out the bandito and when i get there, they got the forking street blocked, drinking beers and smokin cigaretts. no wonder the damn carb dont work :o
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10041/007.JPG)
god i love this place and the people in it.

hope you can make it to big river for fathers day. nice meeting you :thumbup:

Yessir, nothing better then an ice coldie and brand new pack of stogies to get things rolling hahaha.

Was great meeting you too. I hope its the carb I really don't feel like yanking that frigging manifold off again but at this point...
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 05, 2010, 08:23:04 PM
Well if it is, well throw it on next weekend, if it works we will figure somethin out, I'm not really worried about it.

Thx a lot Kevin I really appreciate it. I'll figure it out tomorrow if its the carb or not, I'll let you know if you should bring it or not. Canoo or no canoo I'll be at the river this up coming weekend.

Btw the ol lady Kari said "take me in your boat for a hot lap" hehehe. Dude I saw that frost on the manifold when you pulled it out of the water on Sunday. Gorgeous!
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: lbhsbz on June 05, 2010, 09:08:24 PM
so i roll over to pats to check out the bandito and when i get there, they got the forking street blocked, drinking beers and smokin cigaretts. no wonder the damn carb dont work :o
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10041/007.JPG)
god i love this place and the people in it.

hope you can make it to big river for fathers day. nice meeting you :thumbup:

So what's the problem?
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: sandeggo on June 06, 2010, 10:25:09 AM
Thx a lot Kevin I really appreciate it. I'll figure it out tomorrow if its the carb or not, I'll let you know if you should bring it or not. Canoo or no canoo I'll be at the river this up coming weekend.

Btw the ol lady Kari said "take me in your boat for a hot lap" hehehe. Dude I saw that frost on the manifold when you pulled it out of the water on Sunday. Gorgeous!
i was pretty stoked on the manifold frosting up..... i wasnt stoked on the freaking oil mess in my bilge after those hot laps. looked worse than the gulf
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: lbhsbz on June 06, 2010, 01:56:35 PM
Yeah...that oil mess gets old pretty quick.

I ran my breathers into the header collectors...problem solved.  My header chrome sucks though, so I didn't mind cutting holes in them.

We got the Bandito running....nothing wrong with the 660 I loaned him, but Ralph offered up a spare Edelbrock carb which will probably run better on the olds.  Oh...also, it helps if the ignition switch doesn't spring back to the "OFF" position. 
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 06, 2010, 02:42:06 PM
Yeah...that oil mess gets old pretty quick.

I ran my breathers into the header collectors...problem solved.  My header chrome sucks though, so I didn't mind cutting holes in them.

We got the Bandito running....nothing wrong with the 660 I loaned him, but Ralph offered up a spare Edelbrock carb which will probably run better on the olds.  Oh...also, it helps if the ignition switch doesn't spring back to the "OFF" position. 

Hey pat don't worry about it we all make mistakes and oversee the ignition switch popping back into the off position hahaha. Dude appreciate all the work and bs I you went through. Thank you sir seriously. Thank you Ralph for the carb I'll PM you.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: sandeggo on June 06, 2010, 02:56:06 PM
It's better than leaving the key on and exploding the coil
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 06, 2010, 07:23:26 PM
It's better than leaving the key on and exploding the coil

Yep luckily it kept snapping back to the off position.

Everything is buttoned up, plumbing redone, added a water pressure gauge and a valve to my inlet hose. Also replaced my ignition switch 8.99 at kragen hehe. Ready for Big River this upcoming weekend.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: lbhsbz on June 06, 2010, 08:14:46 PM
No problem dude...we fixed it.

Got my shitbox running today...made new splashsheild, new MSD bracket, scooped the motor back in, rewired it....ran into some starter problems though.  The nice new starter gear was hitting the flywheel all the time...hehe...slapped the old half worn out one back in and it works fine.  Could be worse...at least it's not a ford. ;D
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 07, 2010, 01:25:27 PM
Ok so now that she's turn key thx to Pat and Ralph I'm thinking about running her on the hose for about 15 20 min to get my water pressure right and make sure my replumb job will hold.

The PO was telling me something about "never run the boat outside of the water for longer then 15 or 20 seconds, not even on the hose cause the driveline that's hooked to the jet is driven by a bearing which is lubed by water which can only get to the bearing when the jet is in the water". WTF since when is water a lubricant for bearings? How much truth is behind this and how hard is it to disconnect the driveline if it is true?

Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: lbhsbz on June 07, 2010, 01:53:02 PM
Don't bother running it on the hose.  You need to set everything with the pressure that your pump makes, not the pressure that your hose makes.  Just get the valve in, close it about 3/4 of the way, and go run it at the river.....if it runs hot, open it up....if it doesn't run hot...close it a bit more.  You want enough water to keep the motor cool...no more than is necessary.

The problem with running the boat out of the water is that the thrust bearing in the front of the pump is only really "happy" and doing it's job when there is a thrust load applied to it.  You can't apply a thrust load unless it's in the water.  The thrust bearing not being thrusted combined with slop in the bowl bushings and imperfections as far as shaft/impeller runout goes can cause the impellor pilot to hit the wear ring and dick things up.  Some people do it and get away with it, but try to minimize it.

Disconnecting the driveline on your float is a bitch. 
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 07, 2010, 02:45:07 PM
This guy Pat is a jet boat guru, who is this friggin guy?

Ey dude thx again. 40s on me real soon hehehe.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: GeneralLee on June 11, 2010, 02:56:50 AM
After sleeping only 3 hrs every night since Sunday and driving to vegas and back every day (my job) I finally finished everything up including a little spit n shine.

Right now on my way to Vegas again to deliver a load. I'll be hookin n bookin the canoo around 1pm today and be on my way to Big River (260 miles).

So after sleeping 15hrs and working about 105hrs (60hrs on the job and 45hrs on the boat), driving 800 miles altogether today I hope she stays running for more then 2hrs haha.

Godmanit I love it. Fing eh, wish me luck guys.
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: HOOLIGAN on March 04, 2015, 10:19:33 PM
Hey .. Just signed up here as was googling bandito as I have at least twice a year for 15 years and this has been the first hit I got. I have the exact same boat but red
Well aside from it burning up on me 10 years ago .. But I still have the hull :)  I looked for info on them forever without getting one hit on the net aside from them being out of buisness
Nice to see one in such nice shape considering yours is the second I've ever seen
I have some pics of mine before and after the fire, I'll dig em out once I get home from work

Posted them on hotboat years ago but I'll throw some up for you

Peace
Title: Re: New here with a 73 Bandito
Post by: 1974 Bandito on August 01, 2015, 04:18:49 PM
I have owned a 1974 Bandito for the past 20 years. Yours is the first other I've ever located... I 'm about to begin a restoration on mine !!
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