Another BFN Rebuild

Joel, Im surprised no one has mentioned that- youre correct, its fugly. Thanks to Chris (Storm34) we've got an original one going back on once the rebuild is done. For now, that cheesy one does a good job holding the shop light in place.

Okie Boarder wrote: I like how you're doing the ribs all the way across as one piece. Is that typical for this type of Nautique or are you altering that from original?

Thats how the BFN's (and presumably the other v-hulls) were built. We're deviating from original in a few ways- since we're not foaming, we're adding a bunch of ribs (in the rear, to the sides of the secondaries) and bulkheads(in front of the stringers, which go full width). This should provide more support for the hull and floor. Our spacing is ~10-12".

Here is a picture of Buffalo's '88 BFN. He kept his closer to the stock configuration.

Benj,

Looking really good. I agree those weights should be in the fridge, not on the stringers...LOL!

It is pretty surprising how stiff things get huh? I noticed that too. Since my top cap was off, mine was really flimsy as I took things out, until things were back in. The most noticeable for me was when the deck got attached to the outer hull sides.

You are coming along nicely. I like how you're doing the ribs all the way across as one piece. Is that typical for this type of Nautique or are you altering that from original?

im battling 1990 technology, and feel by camming and intake i will get to that 400 mark, I got both engines yesterday, slight dome in the pistons, merc aluminum intake, 2.300 with the 118's. all the right stuff...i could fit a fist in the runners....once in a while i get excited about running a boat, I have 2 on the list, the Zodiac diesel with foot bolsters, and this one

gotta 40 wellcraft coming, not winterized, 2 bbc's, open checkbook and wants more power....if you could only see the smile, once in a while you get the peanuts instead of the shells.
i gotta figure these out, flats with rectangles, 370 stock, i want to get him to the 400 mark...what do ya think Tim, both lefties, maybe I'll go after the pistons...

they should be on ice, not wood

Roger, we're using the lip of the old floor as our guide to rebuilding the structure level. The toothing youre seeing in front are where we cut some pieces out to facilitate making templates for the bulkheads.

Secondaries are now bedded.

Nice clean work guys!!

The 496 is the Gen 6 GM big block (8.1L). I dont believe any parts carried over from the earlier versions. The 502 (gen 5) is a slightly taller block than the 454 (mark iv), but many parts interchange- heads, exhaust, etc.

There are a ton of parts for the 496 out there- you just have to know where to look. Not quite as many as the 502/454, but theyre out there. Nothing is cheap on these things!

I found the EMI's on Craigslist in Nevada. We were torn on whether to go old school (aluminum logs) or new school (new header/manifolds) but the price on these was good enough to jump on. While theyre billed as a stock Mercruiser replacement (dimensions-wise), they are several inches taller than the old manifolds we had on there, and a bit wider as well. We may have clearance issues when we drop the box over them. The intake and new valve covers are on their way and the roller rockers showed up last week. Just have to place a misc gasket/bolts/pushrods order and it should be ready to bolt together.

Didnt get as much done on the hull as I was hoping this weekend- too many projects going on at once. The fillets on the mains should be done now, and dad has a bunch of templates in process for the front bulkheads... hopefully we'll get some of this stuff glassed in soon. We did a fit check on the cradle and it set in nicely... so far so good.

I have the Python head info somewhere. I just went through a complete computer conversion, when I can get my sh!t together I will post it.

That is a big 6 cubes, Steve.   

Don't really know. I've only read that the 454/502 are interchangeable but the 8.1/496 is not.

PCM made Pythons out of the 502 block until 2002 when they switched to the 496, a 6 cu in difference WakeSlayer will never let me live down.

The only other thing I know is that the 502 is a big bore, stock stroke 454 but the 496 is standard bore, lengthened stroke.

Maybe some harecore bow tie folks know more.

The blue oil pan is covering the supercharger....


Tim, looking good as always.

I bet the coosa cost you per sheet.


Dave

Ha, thanks Joel.

Fillets are on the mains (still drying), nothing picture worthy yet.

A few goodies showed up this week... teaser pic:

Eric, whats the deal with the NSS? The one thats in there worked fine last year.

The beer was mine. I prefer the bottled stuff that Dad buys though- its free and cold.

Roger, everything has worked out great- bouncing ideas back and forth and having 2 sets of hands has really kept us moving.

Alan, yes- the trailer is tall, especially without any weight on it! It should settle a good 4" or so with the weight of the boat. Im not really following about the oil pan... Dad's been in charge of the engine disassembly, so Ill forward your comments to him.

we do have to update your neutral safety switch, blue is fine with me btw, no matter how you wrap it, its still a big boy. lookin good, fire that thing on the ground....I always do with open headers to my prick neihgbor