97 (early) Sundancer 290DA 454ci L29 Bravo 3

[HawkX66]

I can stand between the pulleys and the fuel tank...with the engines running! I looked at a couple of earlier 290's with big blocks but I didn't pay too much attention to the clearance.

Having said that, I wish that I could fit big blocks into my boat!!

You can fit them, but you'll need a shoe horn lol It'd be great for power, but a nightmare to work on.

 

[Garintheair]

You can fit them, but you'll need a shoe horn lol It'd be great for power, but a nightmare to work on.

I'm thinking the weight increase alone would negate any benefit let alone the out drives needing to be changed out!

Now...twin inline diesels would be another story!

 

[HawkX66]

I'm thinking the weight increase alone would negate any benefit let alone the out drives needing to be changed out!

Now...twin inline diesels would be another story!

Hell yes. Twin diesels would be nice. Maybe in boat #3 for me in a few years.

 

[HawkX66]

Getting closer... At a snails pace due to life obligations of course. She's ready to run. I'm trying to decide if I want to break it in on an engine run stand or go ahead and install it with confidence. I think I'm leaning towards the engine run stand although I'm confident it will run well. My only unknown is the carb. The previous owner supposedly bought a new rebuilt carb, but I don't know who rebuilt it etc. It has pretty black paint at least...
I installed the lifters, pushrods, rockers, intake and carb yesterday. She's got good oil pressure for sure. I found out by the loose remote oil filter hose which spewed oil all over my floor when I went to prime the system. Made me smile. Oil pressure=good lol Tightened the fitting at the filter adapter and all was good.

 

[HawkX66]

Thanks for following along guys. So, run stand it is. I set it up last night. Potential for rain today, so I'm going to run it tomorrow. I'm still deciding on whether or not I'm going to run it on the radiator with an HEI distributor to break it in or dress it with the fresh water cooling and hot wire the Thunderbolt V distributor. I'm leaning towards option two so I can set the timing on the stand and not have to touch it in the boat.

 

[joeyleggz]

Are you running it open heads?

 

[HawkX66]

Are you running it open heads?

No. I'll put the manifolds on before I run it. Even if I don't use gaskets. I've seen people do it open, but I don't think it's right... Worst case is I'd throw a pair of my spare headers on it.

 

[techmitch]

No. I'll put the manifolds on before I run it. Even if I don't use gaskets. I've seen people do it open, but I don't think it's right... Worst case is I'd throw a pair of my spare headers on it.

You'll enjoy it more with the headers on it anyhow.

 

[HawkX66]

You'll enjoy it more with the headers on it anyhow.

If I want to enjoy the sound of a big block, I'll uncork the headers on my 69. ;-) It has a real cam in it lol.
I'm going to take some more measurements to see if I can squeak it in through the bilge opening with the exhaust manifolds on it. If I can then I'll be able to seal them up on the test stand and not have to screw around with them in the bilge.

 

[joeyleggz]

If I want to enjoy the sound of a big block, I'll uncork the headers on my 69. ;-) It has a real cam in it lol.
I'm going to take some more measurements to see if I can squeak it in through the bilge opening with the exhaust manifolds on it. If I can then I'll be able to seal them up on the test stand and not have to screw around with them in the bilge.

View attachment 104718

Haven’t seen traction bars since I had my 1981 z28 !!

 

[HawkX66]

Haven’t seen traction bars since I had my 1981 z28 !!

Ha! Have to have them with a first gen. Wheel hop/axle wrap is ridiculous without them.
Checked the bilge opening again. I'm definitely going to have to put the engine in sideways without the exhaust manifolds installed. She's a tight fit...

 

[HawkX66]

Ahhhh.... Home sweet home. I forgot what a tight fit it is. Even more so now with the FWC. Time to set the timing, fit the exhaust and mount the outdrive. Tick tock tick tock...

 

[douglee25]

Gosh that is super tight. You can't even get a foot in there to brace yourself!

 

[Stray Current]

Man, that picture makes me appreciate my bilge immensely.

Glad to see it getting closer

 

[HawkX66]

It's hard to say, but I'm glad there's no generator in it right now. It's set up for one. That real estate has been priceless...

 

[HawkX66]

Last night was exhaust night. That was fun...

 

[HawkX66]

Installed the outdrive and changed the gear lube tonight. The lube that came out was nice and clean so I was glad to see that. I'd love to paint it, but I think what's on it will offer better protection for the rest of this season.
I also installed 140' of new chain. Barely filled the box up 1/2 way, if that, so I'll get more next season. The previous owner was running 1/4" chain instead of the 5/16" that the gypsy was supposed to run.

 

[HawkX66]

Ahhh... Happy to report that launch will be on Monday when my oldest son gets home from UofMich.
I finally finished the engine and out drive build and install. I had a little scare when I first started it. I only had 6 psi of oil pressure. Turns out I didn't install three galley plugs under the spider. I pulled the intake, installed them and put it back together. 60 psi now. All broken in and runs like a top. I have a couple of minor things I want to finish up over the weekend like a good cleaning, but she's ready for boating.
Here's a few pics:

 

[HawkX66]

 

[douglee25]

I guess she runs??