SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => V-Drives => Topic started by: marceldawson70 on September 29, 2008, 08:47:43 PM

Title: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on September 29, 2008, 08:47:43 PM
does anyone know any thing about speco v-drives?  It's 18' and has a 389 pontiac in it. it seems the parts on pontiacs 350 to 455 use the same cams and other parts? any other info out there?
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: beerjet on September 29, 2008, 08:59:56 PM
Spico maybe  :sly:

-beerjet-
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on September 30, 2008, 07:37:01 AM
yes, I found out I spelled it wrong! is there any firsthand info out there? its a complete boat, a few chips and scratches, but the stringers and underdeck look good! but like I said its got a 389 pontiac! I am a ford man! are there still parts for these motors? My father said its a GTO motor.
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: crewchief22 on September 30, 2008, 06:14:44 PM
The 389 Pontiac is a good engine with a lot of potential if you have money to burn.

Check out Rock & Roll Engineering at www.pontiacpower.com
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on September 30, 2008, 09:29:42 PM
Any guess on what performance I may expect when done. if it still performs good?
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: beerjet on October 01, 2008, 03:53:21 PM
What are YOU lookin to do . Resto/ski/rivercruiser boat . Hell yeah , great boat for that and the history , well you know .

Tryin to make a K racer of it . Move on . There are lots of other performance orienteded v-drives out there that would make a better "performance" candidate . I personally dont know if Spico was a great performer for other than family ski duties . Hull technology came a long was since the Spico flatty , and in a good way . First figure out what power and what your intended purpose of the boat is going to be and then the answer will be more evident .

-beerjet-
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: GlassCutter on October 01, 2008, 05:02:12 PM
I have talked to Bruce at Rock and Roll Engineering a couple times and what he can do with a Poncho is nothing short of amazing.  For years he has owned the NHRA record for fastest Pontiac motored ProStocker.  His website can tell you a lot about what he can do.  His motors will still run you 7 - 10 grand BUT without using exotic parts he will make HUGE horsepower and more importantly torque down low.  I don't know if he will want to use a 389 as a starting point.  For just a resto a 389 would be fun and interesting tho.  My .02 worth
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: GlassCutter on October 01, 2008, 05:05:13 PM
Marcel check your PM's
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 01, 2008, 06:29:48 PM
got the pm!!  well I want to resto the thing and hopefully get a decent speed 65-75?   just enough to make me nervous! fast enough to give me the fever for more! by then I should have bbc or bbf money! but mostly stay reliable and good looking! told the wife it will be great on fuel, and it will be great for skiing and tubing! did she fall for that? NOT!!  O0
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: beerjet on October 01, 2008, 06:57:54 PM
I dont know the Spico's V-drive heritage but none the less , have it at least checked by someone who knows what they are lookin at (delam , wood rot , ect) Or just gut the entire thing and start over so you at least know the wood is all new . I personally dont have to much confidence in the pre 60's hulls with gobs of power .

-beerjet-
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: jet boat performance on October 01, 2008, 08:17:04 PM
Spico is yet another of the Great V-drive mfgs from the 60's , Im sure i got some info from some old mags with more info , well engineered and quality built ,good resto project ,I have a similar boat , 69' Schiada runs 80+ with a small block chevy very thrifty on fuel too Tom
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2F69%2520Schiada%2FDSC02135.jpg&hash=d6e2aaa428d926f6a960ca7ff40aa5015b7a7f65)
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 02, 2008, 07:52:49 AM
Tom, are you saying it can look as beutiful and awsome as that blue and white beast in the back!!! more pics please!!!! this is the boat that I got off craigs list!  Im fallin like a grade school kid in his first crush!!! heres where I'm starting... Im so inspired!! thanks and thats a excellent speed range, thats all i need!
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: KonaCole on October 02, 2008, 01:09:28 PM
Tom, are you saying it can look as beutiful and awsome as that blue and white beast in the back!!! more pics please!!!! this is the boat that I got off craigs list!  Im fallin like a grade school kid in his first crush!!! heres where I'm starting... Im so inspired!! thanks and thats a excellent speed range, thats all i need!
Sure it can, all it takes is......... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: beerjet on October 02, 2008, 04:48:38 PM
Tom, are you saying it can look as beutiful and awsome as that blue and white beast in the back!!! more pics please!!!! this is the boat that I got off craigs list!  Im fallin like a grade school kid in his first crush!!! heres where I'm starting... Im so inspired!! thanks and thats a excellent speed range, thats all i need!
Seriously , V-drives have a shit load of very pricey parts . I'd start by goin through Rex's price list on some v-drive parts just to get a taste of what your in for . Should be a very cool project .

-beerjet-
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 02, 2008, 05:32:08 PM
rember I work for a boat shop and I get parts at cost! plus uncle sams part! I have sent my gel shop enough customers that he will prep and spray it for $750! not a cheep spray job either! but I'v sent him 40k in side work last year! How many horses in that small block? this boat has the cav plate, its just not adjustable from helm. did they use paint or gel on these things?
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: beerjet on October 02, 2008, 05:39:05 PM
rember I work for a boat shop and I get parts at cost! plus uncle sams part! I have sent my gel shop enough customers that he will prep and spray it for $750! not a cheep spray job either! but I'v sent him 40k in side work last year! How many horses in that small block? this boat has the cav plate, its just not adjustable from helm. did they use paint or gel on these things?
Wanna build me a flatty ?

-beerjet-
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 02, 2008, 05:55:45 PM
Your too far south!  hell it cant be that bad! I put 6k in my chris last year and I still gotta spend 1k ta bottom paint! oh but now that will wait!  it aint sinking and runs sweet!   I just hate working on the motors, gotta do everything twice!  twin 283 chevs! have to stay on top of those flywheel forward motors!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: jet boat performance on October 02, 2008, 09:15:11 PM
Tom, are you saying it can look as beutiful and awsome as that blue and white beast in the back!!! more pics please!!!! this is the boat that I got off craigs list!  Im fallin like a grade school kid in his first crush!!! heres where I'm starting... Im so inspired!! thanks and thats a excellent speed range, thats all i need!
Well put these (and the jets as well ) can be very fascinating and down right addicting ,even though I do this for a living I remain fascinated ! Tom
heres my other V-drive
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2FEliminator%2520V-drive%2FIMG_0028.jpg&hash=996a985c19217cfb9101b9c1d20f98851adf5359)
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: GlassCutter on October 02, 2008, 09:28:59 PM
That's a bitchin' pic Tom !   Naci?
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 03, 2008, 07:45:48 AM
Hey Tom, can ya help us out here? 389 pontiac and 455 olds... will the exaust and intakes interchange?  Is a 389 a bigblock or small? please tell me they dont do the ford family thing! This is still GM right!?!? ???
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: crewchief22 on October 03, 2008, 06:35:56 PM
There are NO crossover pieces between Olds & Pontiac engines.  Just because its GM doesn't mean its the same.   :banghead:

Look how many different 350s GM made  :screwy:
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 03, 2008, 06:41:16 PM
how would I find headers for the 389 poncho in my spico???
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: beerjet on October 03, 2008, 08:06:49 PM
Keep it the way it is ! Resto wouldnt be a resto with headers . You can always put over the transome pipes like criew chief has . Those bolt up to any log exhaust . That look is very classic (https://www.socaljetboats.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10034/twocents.gif)

-beerjet-
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: HDriderTH on October 03, 2008, 08:26:33 PM
There are NO crossover pieces between Olds & Pontiac engines.  Just because its GM doesn't mean its the same.   :banghead:

Look how many different 350s GM made  :screwy:


Now I have found 350 chevs in pontiacs and olds maybe buicks, but I dont recall seeing one..But thats a horse of a different color.
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: jet boat performance on October 03, 2008, 08:40:11 PM
Crew chief nailed it ! cept' the rear Poncho and Olds (65 thru 88)  Bell hsg will swap ,nuthin else though

John ,good call that about a half mile back in a cove off Las Tablas where Ro's sis has 20 "mountain goat acres" (and a "tent compound"  ;D )

Also found a cool 60's Spico ad from an "ancient Mag"
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2FMisc%2FDSC01551-1.jpg&hash=3adaec36abaf111dec6226608073d556b4545c0e)
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2FMisc%2FDSC01550-1.jpg&hash=ed58e4f7714f41cbd5084cc4410020389723c3da)
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 03, 2008, 10:04:05 PM
thats real history!!! you must have a library!!!!  thats 4 years before I was born!  same year as my chris craft!  ;D
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: jet boat performance on October 08, 2008, 08:04:17 AM
History  ;D Yeah I have Hot Boat mags back to the 80's, I only have two "really old' Boatin news (1964 ish) the really old mags are starting to fall apart but they have loads of cool old vdrive pics and ads Tom 
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: HDriderTH on October 08, 2008, 10:02:00 AM
I just got a box of Holley two barrels, find a manifold for that Poncho.
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 08, 2008, 09:50:23 PM
workin on sellin the jet so I can finish payin for the spico!  :banghead: v-drive.com has a lot of pics also! Like a kid at x-mas I cant wait. after seeing the older white & blue one Tom posted, My wife is starting to show intrest! she says now maybe I'll leave HER chris craft alone!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: nathan72 on October 08, 2008, 09:59:49 PM
I just got a box of Holley two barrels, find a manifold for that Poncho.
  are thay 94s or say ford on the side?
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: HDriderTH on October 09, 2008, 08:17:55 AM
  are thay 94s or say ford on the side?

Holley
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 13, 2008, 05:11:38 PM
hey HDriderTH, get this I went to give the guy the last $200 on sunday so I could bring the spico home, when I got there I didnt see the boat!  He came out and gave me my 800 back and said his partner didnt know it was sold and sold it! COLD SHOT!!! :banghead: You would think they must have sold it to someone else! Im lucky the guy who drove up sunday from turloc didnt buy my jet! so I'm back lookin for a V-drive again!!  HINT, HINT  :'( :'(
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: 76NORDIC on October 13, 2008, 07:45:29 PM
Your lucky that you at least got your 800 back Marc, sucks tho for the deal :screwy:
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: jet boat performance on October 14, 2008, 08:38:47 AM
VERY uncool to back out of a deal , unbelievable that a man could do something like that after making an agreement ! Tom
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: HDriderTH on October 14, 2008, 09:02:02 AM
everything happens for a reason, you'll just get something better. I had a sanger (no motor) sold out from under me and found a much better one with a blown BB for about what I figured I'd have into the first one BEFORE I even started on the motor.
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 14, 2008, 02:49:00 PM
WELL it was a bad weekend!  let me see! thursday a pipe broke under the house! fri lost job under some false pretense! "realy he hired me for more than he could afford!" Saturday neighbor ripped out flooring in my house that didnt need to be touched! spico gone on sun!     Its all good! go ta church keep the faith and pray on sunday! Pray, make calls, e-mail resumes on monday, and BAM! GOD rewards those who have faith! tuesday, interview at 12:30, by 1:30 I have a better job, better position, much better pay, and 4 days a week!  Not tring to preach, but it pays to put things in the right hands!! So the jets gotta go! Back lookin for that V-drive again!!
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: FORKEDUP on October 14, 2008, 02:54:52 PM
CONGRATS ON THE NEW JOB AND THE POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!!!
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: wizard612 on October 14, 2008, 03:25:37 PM
V-drive available on Lake Mead threads needs a little work but the guys are picking it up today.

PS congrats on the job.
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 17, 2008, 05:48:10 AM
thanks,the new job has lotts of good promising aspects!  any one looked at sac craigs list v-drives? HDriderTH, some one is selling a boat w/almost the same colors as yours!
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: jet boat performance on October 17, 2008, 07:29:03 PM
With that new Job maybe a Nice Schiada flatty should be in you future  ;D, I never back out of a deal  ;D Tom
Title: Re: speco v-drives?
Post by: marceldawson70 on October 21, 2008, 06:48:14 PM
still lookin and hopeing!! ;D gotta catch up on a few bills! worst of all I think my 99 jag XJ8 convert needs timing chains changed! I think I can do it! Hell its just a expensive FORD! ;D ;D
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