WeldCraft Jet

gunner3006

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Alright boys. Getting closer to sub zero temps. Looking a little closer at my engine here and wondering what we got for special techniques for winterizing. I don’t see any valves on my coolant side. I do have frost plugs on the bottom of my risers it looks like. I can’t fit my boat in my garage at my house but would like to use it for hunting in the next few weeks.

Thanks
Chadd.
 

NoBrakes!

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Your block should be fine if you have coolant on the engine side of your cooler. I would pull all of the threaded plugs out of the water side of your cooler and manifolds. make sure all of the water gets out, I usually rod the silt out of each threaded hole to ensure. Get in there with a compressed air blower and blow out the lines and cooler. grease your bowl and steering cables to push out the water.


I have raw water cooling. I remove the supply hose, drain the manifolds (Lightnings have valves, I open/rod the valves out) then I blow through the cooler and out the drains. add antifreeze to make sure the block and heads are full.
 
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NoBrakes!

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I have heard good and bad about TBS. I have a friend with a 427 SBC from them in a Nova and it works great, but I've heard a few stories of poor quality too though.
 

FastFarmer

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Lots of jerboaters deal with AMS engines in Edmonton. They have a clean name

mixed bad about TBS, personally I’ve never heard of anything so major that it was a show stopper at TBS. Louie at AMS is one of the greatest guys you will ever talk to or meet though.
 

gunner3006

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Finding an old one and completely rebuilding it from the bottom up might be fun too.
 

FastFarmer

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It’s really all about balance and finding that tipping point that you can live with. I have a 23’ steptech with a 598” AMS in it, call it 800hp. Two racing seats and a bench, hauls the mail anywhere. I wanted a cruiser, not a one stop shop kinda boat. It does exactly what I wanted it for and is getting a bow hatch this winter, but there’s a great big bow reserve fuel tank in there and subs so not sure how that’s gonna work but they’ll figure it out. We cruise around 60mph and up a bit from there and get away from the crowds and I’m a HP speed nut, so perfect combo. I went for a ride in an 18’ this summer with a 4.3 and it actually did alright with 5 adults in it, jumped up descent and cruised around 30, no clue on rpm or anything else as I never watch fuel rate etc...I’m there for fun, fill it up and go. A 5.7 is ok in most boats, I’d prefer it with a Hamilton 2.4 turbo impeller rather than a 6.0 with a 3.4, just runs better I think... we have went to an LSA with a 4 and it gets up fast, pushes weight. I think you’re onto something with a built 383... an LS7 would be killer, have one in my ‘14 Z28 that’s built and it loves the Redline, lives there all the time. If you go ahead with that idea keep the details coming, super stoked for you and to see the end game video.
 

gunner3006

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It’s really all about balance and finding that tipping point that you can live with. I have a 23’ steptech with a 598� AMS in it, call it 800hp. Two racing seats and a bench, hauls the mail anywhere. I wanted a cruiser, not a one stop shop kinda boat. It does exactly what I wanted it for and is getting a bow hatch this winter, but there’s a great big bow reserve fuel tank in there and subs so not sure how that’s gonna work but they’ll figure it out. We cruise around 60mph and up a bit from there and get away from the crowds and I’m a HP speed nut, so perfect combo. I went for a ride in an 18’ this summer with a 4.3 and it actually did alright with 5 adults in it, jumped up descent and cruised around 30, no clue on rpm or anything else as I never watch fuel rate etc...I’m there for fun, fill it up and go. A 5.7 is ok in most boats, I’d prefer it with a Hamilton 2.4 turbo impeller rather than a 6.0 with a 3.4, just runs better I think... we have went to an LSA with a 4 and it gets up fast, pushes weight. I think you’re onto something with a built 383... an LS7 would be killer, have one in my ‘14 Z28 that’s built and it loves the Redline, lives there all the time. If you go ahead with that idea keep the details coming, super stoked for you and to see the end game video.

Thanks Jamie

With my 305 and the AA impeller I bought off pfi572 I can spin 3900. From the guys I’ve talked to and what I’ve read I don’t think I can ask for much more out of this engine. But with 3 kids, the wife and dog and a full tank of fuel and my fishing gear it’s a full load and she just doesn’t have the pony’s. I hadn’t really thought about the stroker to be honest until the guys on here mentioned it. The way I’m looking at it is, if I’m going to pull this engine out for more power I might as well get more power. Money wise only going to the 350 doesn’t make sense. Haha. The only time I’m worried about fuel is when it’s on E. I will see what I can find. Would be nice to find one soon as I’m coming to edmonton for the sled show.
 

FastFarmer

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Thanks Jamie

With my 305 and the AA impeller I bought off pfi572 I can spin 3900. From the guys I’ve talked to and what I’ve read I don’t think I can ask for much more out of this engine. But with 3 kids, the wife and dog and a full tank of fuel and my fishing gear it’s a full load and she just doesn’t have the pony’s. I hadn’t really thought about the stroker to be honest until the guys on here mentioned it. The way I’m looking at it is, if I’m going to pull this engine out for more power I might as well get more power. Money wise only going to the 350 doesn’t make sense. Haha. The only time I’m worried about fuel is when it’s on E. I will see what I can find. Would be nice to find one soon as I’m coming to edmonton for the sled show.

Totally hear ya! Went through the same thing with our family, wish I would have had a bettter outlet for good knowledge and resources would have saved time and money getting what we were looking for. For the hell of it and if you can, call Louie at AMS and just talk to him. He has a 407 in his boat which he swears by. Love the hot water holding tank he put in for the shower idea that runs through the engine. Free honest advise and guidance is worth the time. He’s on the west end, not sure on timing for you but a quick stop by his place is always a good time. They had a brand new LSX 454 tore apart that I’m curious about, small shop but full of excelllent knowledge and advise. Maybe I’ll see you at the show.
 

174mcx

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IMO if not going with a gm performance crate engine (professionally assembled) and your thinking of having a engine built at a shop, I would get a 400 small block Chevy with as much aluminum as possible.

When I was doing it, the crate engine was less than having my 350 built into something else. Also if you get a crate engine and it eventually gives you problems or you simply wear it out you would still have your 305 ready to drop in.
 

gunner3006

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IMO if not going with a gm performance crate engine (professionally assembled) and your thinking of having a engine built at a shop, I would get a 400 small block Chevy with as much aluminum as possible.

When I was doing it, the crate engine was less than having my 350 built into something else. Also if you get a crate engine and it eventually gives you problems or you simply wear it out you would still have your 305 ready to drop in.

Well it looks to me like my pricing doesn’t change that much with going bigger. If I can get more power for the same price why not.
 

pfi572

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IMO if not going with a gm performance crate engine (professionally assembled) and your thinking of having a engine built at a shop, I would get a 400 small block Chevy with as much aluminum as possible.

When I was doing it, the crate engine was less than having my 350 built into something else. Also if you get a crate engine and it eventually gives you problems or you simply wear it out you would still have your 305 ready to drop in.

Good advice .
 
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