OV9

Well, the project has started:


After lots of swearing, the engine finally came out of the boat. Despite looking like there's loads of access, it's virtually impossible to get to the bolts to undo the connection to the jet drive because the bell housing is in the way. And the bell housing won't come out because the jet drive in in the way! Oh the joys!
And we pulled about 80 litres of stinking bilge water out of it. Nice.

Not pretty, but this is what the hull looks like now. Note period seats ready for retrimming - if anyone has opinions on what they might be out of, I'd be glad to hear them :


So, I'm going to crack on with a basic engine rebuilt and minor mods (sump repair, new big end and main bearings, carb rebuild, electronic ignition conversion, starter refurb, new leads, plugs, filters etc). Fibreglass man is coming next week for some other bits, so will do a couple of minor repairs on the floor while he's here. Might fill the hull with 2-part foam while the engine's out too, but still deciding on that one. Seats will go off for retrimming in marine vinyl once I source a suitable rear bench.

I've also decided that engine mods can wait for a bit - firstly, on taking advice, I want to see what the current power level feels like (ones with 115bhp outboards look scary fast!), secondly, the top priority now is to get a reliable, working water-based support vehicle for hovercraft R&D, and thirdly, I've got a million jobs on at the moment and just want to have a go in it ASAP!

Buy a project to support another projects love it!

Seats look Fiat to me...

Looks promising, Nef.

Jobbo will be along to advise on the interior shortly.

JLv3.0 wrote: Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:37 am

Nefarious wrote: Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:45 ama tatty RR silver shadow with a giant tank on the roof (for Gin, naturally)

You don't think that warranted just the teensiest bit of explanation?

did we ever get an explaination for this..

Jimmy Choo wrote: Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:09 am Looks promising, Nef.

Jobbo will be along to advise on the interior shortly.

I think the seats need to be upgraded to something suitably 70s like these:

Nefarious wrote: Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:20 am Note period seats ready for retrimming - if anyone has opinions on what they might be out of, I'd be glad to hear them :

I am guessing some sort of V6 powered jet boat

Is there a prize?

I am loving this completely hatstand project already.

mik wrote: Fri Dec 14, 2018 12:03 pm I am guessing some sort of V6 powered jet boat

That would be an amazing coincidence if correct, seeing as my boat came with no interior, and I found these ones in as pile of assorted other crap behind the unit (I think they may have been the ones in the hot rod, but nobody can remember, and it wouldn't really narrow it down anyway)

Buggar.

Fnar Fnar

GG. wrote: Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:56 am I think the seats need to be upgraded to something suitably 70s like these:

Loving those. MK1 Capri? Now find me a full set for under £100

Nefarious wrote: Fri Dec 14, 2018 1:24 pm

GG. wrote: Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:56 am I think the seats need to be upgraded to something suitably 70s like these:

Loving those. MK1 Capri? Now find me a full set for under £100

For your budget this is the best I can do

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mk1-ford-Cap ... :rk:4:pf:0

ETA: and just look at that shag pile carpet

I can see the carbs being an issue in the cold weather. Any plans to go to injection?

Orange Cola wrote: Sat Dec 15, 2018 11:05 pm I can see the carbs being an issue in the cold weather. Any plans to go to injection?

The boats not going to the arctic. Will be sea testing here.

Orange Cola wrote: Sat Dec 15, 2018 11:05 pm I can see the carbs being an issue in the cold weather. Any plans to go to injection?

It's *possible* as part of the supercharger plan, but most likely I'll stick with a carb (have some nice twin 40 sidedraughts that'd fit the bill nicely). Mostly for reasons of simplicity and cost - cheapest injection setup (Cologne manifolds, Megasquirt) is still going to end up costing best part of a grand, which is more than the whole project stands me at the moment!

Actually, on the subject of the future forced induction plans, I'm umming and arghing a bit about which way to go:
1) Supercharger draw through system. Old skool but simple as fuck. Carb jetting basically stays the same, but no ability to intercool (water injection a possibility). Not sure where to mount the supercharger
2) Supercharger blow through system. Bit more sophisticated. Can intercool (which I always wanted to do on a boat, given the availability of lots of lovely cold water). Would need some pressurised carbs (e.g. off an old Metro/Maestro/Montego), as I'd rather not butcher my 40s.
3) Turbo off one of the exhaust banks. Suck/blow choices as above, but makes packaging easier...

Choices, choices...

scotta wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 4:22 pm

Orange Cola wrote: Sat Dec 15, 2018 11:05 pm I can see the carbs being an issue in the cold weather. Any plans to go to injection?

The boats not going to the arctic. Will be sea testing here.

He was talking about Scotland Mate...

dinny_g wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 7:19 pm

scotta wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 4:22 pm

Orange Cola wrote: Sat Dec 15, 2018 11:05 pm I can see the carbs being an issue in the cold weather. Any plans to go to injection?

The boats not going to the arctic. Will be sea testing here.

He was talking about Scotland Mate...

Where we run the racecar....on carbs.

Just remember though that on a boat the engine is also the brakes.

I tore my shoulder muscles when we were pulling up to re-fuel at Windermere and when going from neutral the engine was sucking in enough warm air that it stalled and wouldn’t restart. A boat going at 5mph has a lot of inertia and it nearly left my arm on the jetty with my body carrying on

I’m guessing Passion Ford still has a few of the older guys on there, they must have a lot of Essex experience? Matching the engine tuning with the age of the boat is pretty cool, modern wouldn’t suit it.

Dave!