Author Topic: Julius Maiden Voyage (Read 14256 times)

catchnedge · « **on:** October 21, 2011, 12:04:02 AM »

Well, I guess all in all a good outing. Resto in progress... windshield off trying to fix the mounting, many other parts off getting fixed. The valve job complete, everything assembled and ready for test run this evening. I could not use the edelbrock exhaust manifold and risers... not enough room near transom to make them work. They are for sale by the way if anyone is interested. Fixed a few oil/water leaks, but I do have an exhaust leak I will have to fix. We also found out the intake manifold is cracked and was overheating due to us taking the blocks out... I need to order a non-AGR manifold tomorrow and will replace. I was happy to see the jet drive was in good shape and working properly. Running lean.. will also order a jet kit tomorrow and get it fixed. We made a number of adjustments, but ran pretty well. Thanks to Brian Bergstrom for the help in motivating me to get going on this project. Also, could not have done this without the help of my great friend Matt... this has really turned out to be "our" project. He lit the fire and has been instrumental every step of the way. Plan is to continue to get everthing in best shape I can by spring... my on-going winter project.

Here are some video clips, hope you enjoy them...
Checking timing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxCB-yFRJLY

Shot across the bow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucfh8WfcRuo

Getting ready for high speed pass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI9AXb43wDo

High speed pass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7SxigI7A6A

Back to idle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvXJMhefybM

Acceleration from idle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiQ6gq3cYrA

Speedo at 55mph hard to see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmN8IUDp-D4

MarkS · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2011, 08:48:00 AM »

Sweet, that had to make you grin bigtime! Thanks for sharing, Mark.

ChfBrianB · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2011, 09:40:54 AM »

Quote from: catchnedge on October 21, 2011, 12:04:02 AM

Thanks to Brian Bergstrom for the help in motivating me to get going on this project. Also, could not have done this without the help of my great friend Matt... this has really turned out to be "our" project.

Mark,
You are very welcome! I'm thrilled that you decided to go for it! It sounds like you've really made a lot of progress! That's what this club is about... Sometimes we get a little off track and overwhelmed. Sometimes it takes a fellow club member to provide some encouragment, motivation, and suport to get the ball rolling again. (I should know!)

I've got to say, those video's are really great! Now that my CVX-20 is off in North Dakota, I'm seriously missing that big block purrrr.

Also remember, that motor makes a lot of noise with the rear seat and hood off... I ran mine that way for a few runs when we were doing tuning (just like your doing). It's really the only way to be able to work on that motor with the space limitations that you have. But, the key is to remember that once you get it all buttoned up, it's so much better! The air intake hiss, and the other noises disappear, and the only thing left is that nice rumble! You are going to be so happy!

Congrats to you and Matt! Very nice job!

BTW... what are your WOT RPM's running at? I couldn't tell if you were at 4800 or 4000 in that last video. If my memory serves me correctly based on the info that I had, that motor should be running 4600-4800 WOT. 55mph is pretty good on the speedo. The fastest mine ever ran on the speedo was 58mph (Of course that was the last run I took it on with the new buyer in the boat). The literature says that it ran 62 on speedo in that review I posted on the website (back in the 70's). Anyway... Crawl under the boat and look up and back into the intake grate and look at the impeller. If it's dinged and beat up, it's the same as having a beat up prop on a boat. It can make dramatic effects on overall performance. The full jet rebuild kit is around $400.00 and I think it's worth it. You really only need the wear ring and a new impeller, but the impeller nut is almost impossible to get off. It's a huge 1-13/16" box end wrench to turn that nut off the shaft, and 9.9 times out of 10 it's rusted and siezed onto the shaft.

Anyway... I'm very proud of you!

Looking forward to seeing you at next years meet!

Jason · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2011, 12:05:49 PM »

Boat looks awesome Mark! Still love the color. River looks like a fun one too. Where is that?

dorelse · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2011, 12:13:05 PM »

Congrats Man! I'm bummed that work has YouTube blocked...I'm anticipating some great vid's tonight!

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2011, 01:30:57 PM »

Excellent videos! Thanks for sharing and well done on your boat!

Hyperacme · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2011, 06:56:29 PM »

Looks GREAT Mark !
Keep the video's coming ...

catchnedge · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2011, 08:33:21 PM »

I can't wait to get it buttoned up as well. Book calls for max RPM at 4800 on this motor 455-4 (the 320hp version). The tach is messed up and unreliable... starts at 1200 (even though we were idling around 700-800) and slows down/sticks in and around 3000-4000, so not really sure what it's turning WOT. Highest I saw the tach at one point was about 4300 but I know it wasn't right. WE didn't keep it there long. I would like to get this tach restored and keep the original in the dash. Does someone have a source for a good resto on the dial? In the mean time, I think I'll pick up an inexpensive tach to put in its place so we know what we're dealing with. The impeller doesn't look bad really, so that is lower on the priority list at the moment. I think a rebuild is in order, but can wait. No odd noises, rattles, etc. so I it looks like the bearings are good. Had to adjust the packing gland a few times.

This river/lake is called "Lake Placid" (obviously not the NY one

, that's what everyone is thinking when I tell them). It's a 7-8 mile section of the Guadalupe river... part of a chain of river lakes that span north to south from New Brunfels to Seguin TX. Included are Lake Dunlap, McQueeny, Placid and Meadow. It's shallow in many areas, so you MUST know where you are going. We wakeboard here as well with the kids, one of the few places we can find smooth water and shelter from the Texas wind. Pro wakeboarder Gabe Lucas lives on Placid and you can often find very skilled riders out.

catchnedge · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2011, 08:50:09 PM »

Few pics... I cut out the front section of the boards next to motor and plan to replace with removable panels. Much easier working on this beast without that old plywood there.

badgercarlson · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2011, 09:04:42 AM »

Mark, Julius is such a beauty. I think the fourth picture of you sitting behind the dash should be a contender for the calendar. You look like a very happy Glastron owner. That picture captures the pleasure we all feel when we drive our boats.

catchnedge · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2011, 09:18:21 AM »

The 4th pic is actually my buddy Matt who helped me rebuild the engine, but yes, I agree, it does capture the essence of driving/owning/hearing that big bore rumble... I think he's having just as much fun with the boat as I am.

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:21:11 AM »

It is an awesome shot; even if it isn't you!

Jerry · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:52:06 AM »

Are you kidding? it looks like he's setting on a bucket or something. Where's the seat?

catchnedge · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2011, 12:03:58 PM »

Ha

it's there, just must be sitting forward in that picture...

catchnedge · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2011, 12:13:45 PM »

Quote from: Bayflite73 on October 22, 2011, 10:21:11 AM

It is an awesome shot; even if it isn't you!

Agreed, thanks.

catchnedge · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2011, 12:15:29 PM »

Quote from: MarkS on October 21, 2011, 08:48:00 AM

Sweet, that had to make you grin bigtime! Thanks for sharing, Mark.

You bet Mark, I was psyched!

badgercarlson · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2011, 03:05:05 PM »

I thought you looked a little different in that pic, but I haven't seen you in a year so I assumed it was you. Please forgive me, I'm getting old !!!

catchnedge · « **Reply #17 on:** October 29, 2011, 09:24:46 PM »

I mentioned the Torker 455 intake was cracked. Just got this Mondello Posiflow AirGap intake this morning... Matt and I had it in by 1200. Its all back together, some new hoses, ready for another test run... but, I have the trailer in pieces (touch up paint), my carb kit has not come in yet (it's running lean) and I still need to get a temporary tach (one that's accurate). It will drive me crazy if I wait until next weekend to run it, so, If I get the trailer together, I may take it out anyway and just take it easy?!.

Here's a few pics of it.

dorelse · « **Reply #18 on:** October 29, 2011, 09:48:17 PM »

Could always pick up a 'Tiny Tach' if you're worried about it...

Looks great Mark!!!

OleRed · « **Reply #19 on:** October 29, 2011, 10:26:50 PM »

Love the looks of that intake and carb, I watched the video's, sounds great, sounds like the rpm's are about 4800 to me, maybe just a little less, here's a couple 5200 rpm links, and the third on is 455 Olds motor I built for my buddy Tom, he said it was turning right at 5000 in this pass .. ok, I like the noise. Your boat looks Great !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTrzFzbVAfM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7oip0d0dBo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khpzNYxdvvs