Thread:

First time builder

I recently purchased a Taylor SJ 18 jet boat without motor. It had 455 with 3 point engine mount I guess the guy I bought it off of blew it up. I still have all mounts. I put in a 406 sbc that was not being used. This is my first time building boat have done numerous cars. I took motor out of my 73 nova with very low miles on it. However I installed new cam bearings rod and main bearings along with a melling high volume oil pump. All I used from car was shortblock. This is what all i've done to the engine. I bought 4 point engine mount. A brandnew set of rewarder long tube water cooled headers. I put a set of double hump 2.02, and elderbrock EPS intake, Launati voodoo cam idle to 5500 that cp performance recomended 454 intake 468 exhaust,and should make max torque at 3500 rpm, and a 650 holley carb. I refreshened the shortblock with all new bearings and brass freeze plugs. The engine is mounted, and one pump of gas fires right up. It aint been put in water yet im nervous that it aint the right parts and wont plain off. Its berkeley A cut jet. Please help me calm my nerves and tell me if this sounds like it will do what I want it to. Which is take my family out in it and run all day and have fun. Thanks Tom

should work, eventually you'll wanna cut that impeller down to match your power

first time at the lake take your time and let it idle still hooked to the trailer just floating in the water. make sure theres no leaks, check timing, check EVERYTHING. forward/reverse working, steering, etc. make sure it gets to temp. sitting in a lake and hooked up to a hose are two toooootaly different animals. adjust your gate valve to keep engine temp where it should be, etc. make sure your header valve doesnt open until 2-2500 rpms. you might wanna bring someone with you just to hold the throttle at cruising so you can look around back there and make sure things are okay, but not the whole family on a first shakedown trip. bring a spare fuel filter with you, most boats that sit around for a while get some junk in the tank that after a long trailer ride and a first outing will break free and junk up your filter and can easily ruin an outing not having a spare. make sure you assemble a little tool box to bring. plenty of rags and some simple green in case you spring a leak.

dont forget to be safe/compliant, life jackets for everyone on board, fire extinguisher charged and properly mounted, you'll need a whistle or horn and a type IV flotation device within arms reach to throw out so the lake police are happy.

if you're in california make sure your boat is 1000000% dry inside and out otherwise the quagga police wont even let you near the ramp. no water bottles opened, etc. they're nazis about those damn shellfish.

Originally Posted by 1974taylorSJ406

Is there a certain way that you can adjust header valve? I got the tee that rewarder sent me, However i got a bassett tee that came with boat. I could blow through the rewarder tee but barely through the bassett. What should be my temp be at for my gate valve? Ive very new to this and very curious and nervous. I will do everything you said thanks. Tom

I would set it to about 160-180* at idle....running at speed it will be much cooler. Oil temp is more important than water in a squirt boat. If your headers are getting injected too early....I would shim the spring inside with some stainless washers. If they are getting wet too late....you may need to add and use a gate valve on the dump line. And remember...no throttle= no steering at speed. If a jet ski comes in front of you....and you let off the gass and crank the wheel....you will go straight still

Edit....you shouldnt be able to blow through the header valve....at least I cant.lol

When I had an old smallblock in my boat I had the impeller cut down to a/b almost full B. should work for your setup depending on what condition the pump is in. Don't be in a rush to go fast, learn the boat first.

Yeah, the a cut may be a little big for where you make power but it should be perfect for you to cruise around all day and have fun. I would say you should be in the neighborhood of 50mph if pump isn't horrible.

FWIW, I run a Sbc 377 in my boat with a stainless b.