Love the forum here, these are the first questions I can't really find answers to, and being somewhat new to boats, I've had lots of questions.
Here's my newest issue. I just got the boat in my signature below. Thought I looked it over well, but not knowing a lot about VP's, I didn't know the engine should have been a charcoal color. It is actually black, and when getting out a mirror and looking closely, I found a welded crack in the block.
That makes me nervous, and I'm pretty sure I want to build a new engine that I can rely on. I've built Chevy race engines with my dad for years, but my first boat engine (4.3l Merc) had some issues because I built it like a car engine. I want to avoid that with this boat.
I'd like to build a 5.7l. I've done a lot of searching and I've read threads where this upgrade has been done. I would probably go .030 over so I can trust the block and the machining, along with new pistons and main bearings, complete rebuild kit, etc. Depending on the condition of the heads, the valves will either get a lap job or a 3-angle grind if needed per acetone test.
What I can't find are the speedbumps I'm going to hit. I'm fairly certain I can just transfer everything, including the heads and intake over, and use either use the stock carb (Holley 2V) or go to a Holley 4175 without too much issue.
What else will be an issue? I was hoping to get a donor engine to rebuild, I'm assuming the 5.0 is a one-piece rear main, so a newer 5.7 block with a one-piece should match, right? I should be able to reuse the flywheel and starter as well, if the rear mains match, correct? Should I use the 5.0GL cam though? Or use a custom cam? Still use AC MR43LTS plugs since I'm reusing the heads? I want reliability -- I don't want to be stranded in the middle of Lake Powell.
Finally, I've noticed all the different engine codes and numbers that VP uses. If I move my 5.0GL PEFS up to a 5.7, what would be the closest code for part lookup? Or should I stick with the 5.0GL PEFS parts strictly?
Thanks in advance for giving me a heads up on things I might screw up!
Here's my newest issue. I just got the boat in my signature below. Thought I looked it over well, but not knowing a lot about VP's, I didn't know the engine should have been a charcoal color. It is actually black, and when getting out a mirror and looking closely, I found a welded crack in the block.
That makes me nervous, and I'm pretty sure I want to build a new engine that I can rely on. I've built Chevy race engines with my dad for years, but my first boat engine (4.3l Merc) had some issues because I built it like a car engine. I want to avoid that with this boat.
I'd like to build a 5.7l. I've done a lot of searching and I've read threads where this upgrade has been done. I would probably go .030 over so I can trust the block and the machining, along with new pistons and main bearings, complete rebuild kit, etc. Depending on the condition of the heads, the valves will either get a lap job or a 3-angle grind if needed per acetone test.
What I can't find are the speedbumps I'm going to hit. I'm fairly certain I can just transfer everything, including the heads and intake over, and use either use the stock carb (Holley 2V) or go to a Holley 4175 without too much issue.
What else will be an issue? I was hoping to get a donor engine to rebuild, I'm assuming the 5.0 is a one-piece rear main, so a newer 5.7 block with a one-piece should match, right? I should be able to reuse the flywheel and starter as well, if the rear mains match, correct? Should I use the 5.0GL cam though? Or use a custom cam? Still use AC MR43LTS plugs since I'm reusing the heads? I want reliability -- I don't want to be stranded in the middle of Lake Powell.
Finally, I've noticed all the different engine codes and numbers that VP uses. If I move my 5.0GL PEFS up to a 5.7, what would be the closest code for part lookup? Or should I stick with the 5.0GL PEFS parts strictly?
Thanks in advance for giving me a heads up on things I might screw up!
