The Engine Is In!!!

[Jetaholic]

Major progress yesterday on the boat. We've got the motor in.
Now I still don't have a valve train yet, but I have bolted the intake and valve covers on without the gaskets just to keep the motor covered up.
This boat originally had thru-hull exhaust and an Olds 455. We have changed over to a 454 Chevy for reasons I'm sure I need not mention. :D
First...here is the boat before all this work...
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27686&stc=1&d=1175266504
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27687&stc=1&d=1175266504
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27688&stc=1&d=1175266504
And now...the shots from this morning...
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27689&stc=1&d=1175266504
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27690&stc=1&d=1175266504

[Jetaholic]

http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27691&stc=1&d=1175266612
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27692&stc=1&d=1175266612
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27693&stc=1&d=1175266612
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27694&stc=1&d=1175266612
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27695&stc=1&d=1175266612

[Jetaholic]

http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27697&stc=1&d=1175266707
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27698&stc=1&d=1175266707

[BrendellaJet]

Very nice!

[e514jet]

looks great! jet......Did you paint the boat or re gelcoat it? E

[Some Kind Of Monster]

Awesome! Much better!

[Jetaholic]

I had the gel redone.
All the hull work was done by Fiberglass Unlimited, which is ran by two of the 3 guys who owned Tarva boats. They replaced the subfloor and stringers, new floatation, pushed the bulkhead under the bow forward, added gunnels braces, smoothed out the bottom, repaired cracks in the deck glass, and full gel coat.
Also new rub rail and they reset my intake for me.

[victorfb]

nice looking conversion you did. one thing i do question is the front motor mount. i would be a bit worried about the mount being solid with the water pump/line covers. seems to me to be a chance for a potential leak. otherwise i think your on your way to having a fun season. good luck.

[CARLSON-JET]

looking good Jetaholic! It looks faster already.:D :D

[ck7684]

Awesome!!!!!!!!

[3 daytona`s]

Does Topless know:idea: LOL

[Hallett19]

Quite the resurection!

[jetboat]

look'in real fine so far,making go progress.going thru the same thing and are now in the home strech!.just brain dead on posting pictures.

[camoman]

Keep up the good work:)

[beerjet]

I love the smell of a freshly installed 454 chevy in the morning . Looks awsome John.
-beerjet-

[Bigern]

TRANSOM looks killer, nice place diverter:) keep up the good work...

[Jetaholic]

Thanks for all the compliments guys. I just got the ignition box and coil mounted...gonna get the ignition harness all wired up tomorrow.

[Bigern]

OH yeah that BBC look a hellava lot better than the olds. Is that rear bracket for and MSD box?

[RitcheyRch]

Looks good and coming along nicely.

[OKIE-JET]

awesome job!:D

[Jetaholic]

OH yeah that BBC look a hellava lot better than the olds. Is that rear bracket for and MSD box?
Yep it sure is.
I've got the MSD box and the rev limiter mounted on it now. Hopefully I'll have the ignition wired this afternoon.

[Lightning]

Looks good, what's up with the hose bid on the front of the motor?

[Jetaholic]

Looks good, what's up with the hose bid on the front of the motor?
That's gonna be my header water feed. Rather than feed it from the dump line like most do, I'm feeding mine from the water crossover in the manifold to keep block pressure to a minimum.

[Jetaholic]

Well I got the ignition wired up tonight. Well almost.
I'm installing the MSD 6M-2 box with the ready-to-run distributor and MSD Blaster High Vibration coil with the Soft Touch Rev Limiter. I've got everything wired to the box...just have to connect the power wires to the battery once I get one in this thing.
However, I messed up on the dash wiring and fused the wrong ignition wire. I fused the one that goes to the "Run" position on the key, but then later realized that all that wire does on the MSD box is turn the box on. I need to fuse the hot wire that goes directly to the battery since that wire is where the box pulls power from, which means I need to add a fuse holder close to the battery for that. I have a buddy that's gonna build me a box to mount on the transom for my hours gauge and starting solenoid, so I figure I can mount the ignition fuse onto that.
Now all I have to wire is the water temp and oil pressure senders, the alternator and the starter and my engine wiring will be done. I originally bought the Hardin Marine engine harness, but decided to just build my own engine harness since my alternator will be on the right side of the motor (the Hardin harness is set up for a left side alternator) and I'm running the MSD ignition (the harness was set up for a points ignition).
Hopefully soon we'll have the battery shelf glassed in...along with a rear gunnels brace for the back side of the fuel tanks to bolt to.

[IMPATIENT 1]

looks goooood, that paint really set that boat off didn't it! i need to borrow that jetaway for the summer:D

[LuckyDaze]

I donno if you wanted a set, but I have a pair of header braces for those bassets if you are interested. They need a polish job but would look sweet on your boat. That is a true transformation there, looks great!
~Brian

[Jetaholic]

Well...I've almost got the top end of the motor sealed up. Just gotta install the right side header gasket and seal up the intake manifold...then install the carburetor and the distributor.
I also got the inlet side of my plumbing done as well. Just gotta get some more 5/8" hose fittings and I'll be ready to finish up the dump side.
Also I checked all my electrical minus the starter/alternator (engine isn't running yet) and everything works. I had my buddy drive my truck while I sat in the boat to check the GPS Speedometer and it's workin' as well.
I'll post pics tomorrow.

[dwmmatt23]

damn, looking sweet

[Jetaholic]

OK so we're moving forward. I've got the valve covers sealed up, most of the water plumbing done minus the headers, and the alternator is in.
Here are a couple shots of right after the valve train was installed and adjusted.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30121&stc=1&d=1178258675
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30122&stc=1&d=1178258675
And here are some motor shots from tonight.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30123&stc=1&d=1178258675
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30124&stc=1&d=1178258675
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30125&stc=1&d=1178258675

[Jetaholic]

And more motor shots...
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30126&stc=1&d=1178258814
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30127&stc=1&d=1178258814
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30128&stc=1&d=1178258814
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30129&stc=1&d=1178258814
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30130&stc=1&d=1178258814

[Jetaholic]

http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30131&stc=1&d=1178258912
And here is my transom plate after I sealed it up.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30132&stc=1&d=1178258912

[Crossbow_CA]

Looks good :D

[e514jet]

Nice!!!! jetoholic.......keep the progress coming...you will be water bound soon if you aren't already. I'm in the process of painting mine now. Trying to get ready for a little palatka, florida meet on the 11,12,13 of may..Hope to see some other jetters there......E

[Jetaholic]

Not quite water ready yet...still have to get the interior done.
However...I want the boat completely driveable before that happens. I want to verify that I don't have any leaks before the new interior goes in just in case I do have a leak, that way it won't leak all over the interior.
I'm really hoping to be able to fire up the motor and break in the cam by Sunday. That's what I'm pushing for.