New to jet boats

As was mentioned above, t-stat isn't absolutely necessary. However, I just thought I'd mention that you can't just go ahead and throw one in the motor should you decide you wanna try to run one.

In order to add one on a jet boat, normally it requires a special thermo stat housing that has a bypass circuit to allow the water coming in from the pump to bypass the block when the t-stat is closed and the block is full of water. Unfortunately, they don't make that housing for the Ford 460.

To run one on the 460, you'd have to mill out the divider in the t-stat housing that you currently have, then take a thermostat and drill two 3/16" holes in the t-stat flange.

Also, a bypass pressure relief would be mandatory when running the t-stat on the 460. Without one, the engine water pressure would go through the roof when the t-stat is closed due to there being no real way for the incoming water to bypass the t-stat with it closed.

Rogers daycruiser fan said:

I am new to jet boats and have a few questions

1) Do I need to run a thermostat in my engine, I found that I do not have one now.

2) What type of engine oil and filter should I run in my engine ( '73 460 )

3) What type of gas octane should I run

as far as I can tell I have a stock 460 engine with a "Holley" 4 barrel carb, It does have a "Place Diverter" installed that I installed.

Click to expand...

No, you do not need to run a thermostat.
You DO need to run some heat in the engine so as to not have moisture & condensation problems/oil contamination.
My boat has run 31 years with a valve on the incoming water line to limit engine temperature.
I run, typically midsummer, 155 degrees outlet water temp. idling, 125 degrees cruising. I did run hotter running log manifold exhausts. Early or late in the year, a bit cooler.

Run any oil you want to.
My engine has run (for most of it's life at dad's ownership) 10w-40 dino-oil, and 20w-50 dino when I cfhanged it back then.
Since it was given to me, 10w-50 Castrol Syntech 100% synthetic (not the blend).
Run any oil filter you want.
From 1978 to 2004 it ran at least 3 dozen Frams, with a few Wix's in there.
Since '04, I run K&N Golds personally, the 2-quart truck one fro a Chevy 454.

Run whatever gas you want too. I have many doubts you will have a high-comp. 460 from 1973 demanding premium, but, only way to be sure is pull heads and measure stuff.

Personally, I would plan to go to a rear-sump oil pan tho, IMO the Ford front-sump is a blow-up waiting to happen with a jetboat's acceleration ability.
A big daycruiser, don't worry. A light weight hull, and you hop the motor some, it's (oil starvation on acceleration) gonna happen, just when is the $10,000 question.

best of luck to ya.