motor question

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tonyc994

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Joined
Apr 6, 2006
Messages
7
im new to this forum and the boating world. im looking into buying a 1978 avenger jet boat with a chevy 468 500hp. in it. iv got people telling my it's the worst engine ever and some people telling me its fine so ill leave it up to u guys to decide for me thanx <br /><br />-TC
 
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steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: motor question

I don't know much about that engine.<br /> But I would sure think that any engine pushing 500 hp out of 468 cubes would have a pretty short life span if run at WOT on a routine basis.<br /> If you haven't boated much I would suggest starting with a more middle of the road boat.<br />Considering the boat you are thinking of could kill you in 1/2 a second if driven carelessly or<br />with inexpierence.I have 2 expierenced aquaintences of mine that died in seperate one boat non colision accidents and I'm talking boats over 21 feet.
 
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Matt Harper

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Feb 23, 2006
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Re: motor question

Holy Moley!<br />This guy doesn't do anything by halves!<br />It's a bit like buying an A1-M1 tank when you take up skeet shooting. Let us know which water you are putting this into - and we'll all stay the hell away!
 
R

RRitt

Captain
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Mar 30, 2006
Messages
3,319
Re: motor question

please don't drive it in southwest florida.
 
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tiller7104

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
352
Re: motor question

Chevy 468? Is this the Blown truck motor or is it a crate motor. What is the last 5 of the serial number, marine applications on this motor are notoriously poor because they are a hot running engine to start with. Thats why it is important to find out if this is a truck motor, if so, it has a larger water jacket and larger water pump! (thats a good thing). Your related question aside......that is a hell of a boat to start out with. Please becareful as stated in a earlier post that boat will kill you in a heartbeat. Hope all works out well! Let us know.
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: motor question

Not a Chrysler/Force outboard topic.<br /><br />Moving to I/O and Incoard Engines.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,159
Re: motor question

The 468 is a Bored, and/or stroked 454......Bored .060 I believe...<br /><br />It's probably the 2nd most used motor in Boating......<br />Right behind the SBC........<br /><br />And,..... I Totally Agree,....... That's ALOT of boat for a Newbie..........
 
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Doug Durako

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
519
Re: motor question

I had a buddy that used to have one of those. They actually made one with a horsepower rating of 620, mainly becuase the drives are so inefficient you lose about 30 percent of the horsepower.<br /><br />They are fun, you can spin and skip down the middle of the lake at about 40 mph.<br /><br />If you buy it, first spend a day on the lake with the owner becuase they are not easy to drive.<br /><br />Don't expect a lot of speed, and the gas consumption is probably 25 gallons an hour at cruise speed.<br /><br />Shoots a nice big rooster tail about 100 feet out the back, which makes these boats iffy for any watersports.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: motor question

And,....... Be Careful around Docks or Anything,....<br /><br />Jets will Not Steer,.. Without some Throttle........
 
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hudman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 25, 2005
Messages
182
Re: motor question

What pump is in the boat? you will probably spend as much on pump maintence, wear, rings and impeller repairs, as you do gas. these were realy popular in the 80s but kind of obsolete here, tons of these were built in the south.Kind of a make one run down the lake, then drink 2 beers thing. good luck. the other posts were truthful on the gas,,, if you run mid range or upper mid for any length of time, you will burn at least 18 g per hour, and with the weight in the back of that big block, you need rpms to keep it on plane
 
QC

QC

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Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: motor question

Hudman and dd are right.<br /><br />FWIW, I bet this guy is from the Southwest and boats on the Colorado River, at least I'd bet that is where the boat is from originally. You'd be blown away how many first-time boaters are in boats like this . . . These were the staple late 70's and 80s anywhere between the lakes after most got sick of repairing flat bottom inboards of similar horsepower after hitting multiple snags multiple times :eek: <br /><br />You can still get new 18 footers with big power. They never put out as much as they say they do, but this is probably a 70 MPH boat. That thing will rock, but I am more worried about what the others here have posted, than I am concerned about it blowing up.<br /><br />Also most of the roosters you see are adjustable, even from the helm. You can make that spray totally lay down. I learned to ski behind one. You guys that have not experienced one, would be blown away by the hole shot ;) They don't stand up like a really hot OB, they just go straight when you punch it. <br /><br />And as Bondo warns, hardly any of them have rudders and even those that do barely turn when you back out of the throttle. But docks are not where I'd be worried. You can be in a 50 MPH hard turn, back out and she will straighten right up immediately and continue straight for pretty dern far. Most people get scared and don't think to punch it, but it's the only way to fix the problem if you are pointed at somethin' :eek:
 
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tonyc994

Cadet
Joined
Apr 6, 2006
Messages
7
Re: motor question

well for all u looking to stay clear ill be on the chain o lakes, iv drivin 43" sea ray's but im looking for more speed and less weight, i have no clue on how this compares in terms of handleing but im sure it would be much different here r some pics i but in another post. o and the motor is a big block 454 made into a 468ci.
 
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