Happy New Year!

Thanks

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Tip #17 - Installing an expensive sound system does nothing to attract women to your boat. 

Pistons.  Federal Mogul,  Silvolite. Hypereutectics work great in these boat engines just don’t let the machine shop put them in too loose.   

Rings:   Hastings, Sealed Power or Mahle

Bearings:   Cam, Mains and Rods.   Sealed Power, Clevite.  Or Durabond for cam bearings only

Timing.  Cloyes

Oil Pump Melling

Gaskets.  Fel-Pro.  Spend the money for Marine the head gasket is tougher and stainless so it does not rust

That is how I would purchase.   I trust these brands to provide quality long lasting parts.

Reusing the original crankshaft or is there a replacement?

You've come a long way from a couple of leaky speedometers 

I actually have 2 engines now; the original and another from an '80 SN. The plan is to rebuild the 80 since the orignial 78 had so many overheats and other problems that I'm still in therapy for, it's not worth the risk. The 80 turns over ok so it's probably the better bet. But since its history is unknown, I want to have a list of all  possible replacement parts. Anything in good working order will be re-used except pistons and lifters, but it's also likely new stuff will be needed too. Paul turned me on to cam research, but for everything else, I have no experience with. The price disparity between different brands only adds complication.

Some days I wish I had those damn speedos back in so they could sink this sled.

 

There is a quality machine shop near me. When the machining is done, he provides a "engine master rebuild kit" specifically for marine use. He is able to order the kit with bearings and pistons in the sizes needed. (only catch is the rr cam and seals, if needed)...

I assemble the motor and so far (4 351W and 7 Saturns) it works out very well, and it keeps the cost way, way down compared to ordering everything individually. 

First think you must ask your self is what are you going to do with the boat? Few blasts on the lake a year?

or a  dozen ski days a month  for 6 months.

78 ski nautique meh! i see the prior!

If your building for resale  goodluck on the towboat rollercoaster.

making a flatbottom ski boat go real fast is not a good idea. well at least for most.

50 Mph? good safe goal.

GT-P heads, or at least gt-40 heads, 10-1 pistons and a slightly bumpy camshaft as to not screw with good idle. match port a dual plane manifold as well as match port exhaust to head flanges turn it 5100 rpms. good ignition system should run 50 mph.. Good safe goal.

The hp gain was in the airflow area, both GM and Ford cylinder heads (Vortec / GT-40) were the keys.  You can sort of substitute the heads with a more aggressive camshaft or maybe rocker arm ratio if you want to pursue some additional hp.  Good luck and happy boating once it drops in the water.

The hp gain was in the airflow area, both GM and Ford cylinder heads (Vortec / GT-40) were the keys.  You can sort of substitute the heads with a more aggressive camshaft or maybe rocker arm ratio if you want to pursue some additional hp.  Good luck and happy boating once it drops in the water.