Engine, Carb or Prop? need suggestions or ideas please.

[Lou C]

that would be great, I do think this size hull did come with that as an option (F/W 201 Liberator used the same hull as the 200 Horizon) could be had with a 454/King Cobra but then I'd have to upgrade the drive too. I think a good running 5.7 4bbl would make a huge improvement and the only NEW inboards you can get now are the 5.7 and the 3.0 4 cyl, everything else is a reman. Boat is 37 years old though, trying to keep costs reasonable. Seeing as how it's a 1.68:1 ratio drive, I think it could be used with a 5.7 as well.

 

[jimmbo]

I have a 5.7 in my 18 1/2 footer(in my Avatar). It is adequate, but for any boat bigger, I would be getting more displacement. You can get more hp out of a Small Block, Cam changes, but that mores the Torque Curve into Higher Rpm ranges, and kills the Low End Torque where you need it, especially for Heavier Boats. Adding a 4bbl won't help the Bottom end either, in fact it can weaken it, cause the motor will likely make more power, and the Rpms will increase, you will have to add pitch to bring the motor back to it's proper Rpm range. More Pitch, means weaker Hole Shot, as the extra power isn't until the higher rpms

 

[Pmt133]

that would be great, I do think this size hull did come with that as an option (F/W 201 Liberator used the same hull as the 200 Horizon) could be had with a 454/King Cobra but then I'd have to upgrade the drive too. I think a good running 5.7 4bbl would make a huge improvement and the only NEW inboards you can get now are the 5.7 and the 3.0 4 cyl, everything else is a reman. Boat is 37 years old though, trying to keep costs reasonable. Seeing as how it's a 1.68:1 ratio drive, I think it could be used with a 5.7 as well.

Do a 383. Big blocks are nice but damn heavy. 383 would be a good compromise.

 

[Zyen]

Just thought I'd add:
anti siphon valve?
pick up tube in the fuel tank?
Interested to see what you find out!
I have the 4.3 4bbl Qjet as well my 88 F/W H-200 has a 1:68:1 Cobra drive, I have used a 15x17 that gets me to about 4600 and a 15.5x15 which gets me to 5000. Boat is quite heavy for a 20'9" about 4200 lbs. Had the deck out years back and not water logged. I guess it's just damn heavy! When I repower I think I need a 5.7 lol.

hey Lou.
i just installed the tank last year and have kept fresh fuel in since then.
while i was working frame/deck, i pulled that valve and pickup out of tank for a good cleaning. they weren't too bad and im confident they are still clean now.
fuel pump does 6.5-7 psi deadheaded and freeflows around 28gph.
this was tested in boat earlier this year before i installed new engine.

yeah, that's damn heavy for sure! weighed mine after a day of riding around and came out to about 3280.


as an update, i got port head pulled, air-tested valves (#3 &#5 i/e both leaked...#1 held), then pulled valves.
the wear patterns were funny...not quite uniform.
i've no clue why and didnt get pics.
i cleaned them up, lapped, then reinstalled.
air test showed all valves holding now.

gonna pull stbd head either tonite or tomorrow and do same to it.

too bad i wont get gaskets till sunday.

 

[Zyen]

Do a 383. Big blocks are nice but damn heavy. 383 would be a good compromise.

i agree with the stroker.
with your ratio, the torque from the stroked 383 would work very well with that heavy boat.