New Engine for my 1966 Jet Boat

My 1966 jet boat gets a new chevy 350 engine, and we test it on the water after it sat outside for several years. To see the catastrophic failure of the previous engine, follow this link to the previous video: • Catastrophic Jet Boat ...
Thank you for watching!

[@jedsownbrew]

Not sure how i got to your video but i was happy to see a Tahiti with a jet drive, not many of them were made, I had a 72 , 16 foot with a Volvo penta 130 in board out board top speed was 36 mph, with that jet drive you will be in the 50 plus mph . I see a lot of people telling you what to do and they are not educated in engines or boats, That 350 will be fine for many years of fun and dependability, Small block chevys can spin to 6500 rpm on a two bolt main and no forged internals, you just can't do it all day long !!!, One person said to get a big block for more hp..... Hp doesn't move a boat... torque moves boats, thats why later on after your boat was made they went to bigger cubic inches. Also someone said get rid of the vacuum on your distributor , unless you are drag racing that thing and have the right springs and fly weights in it , i would keep the vacuum hooked up , it helps with response on your throttle or advance of timing helps with out of the hole shots. Also helps with a smooth idle and you won't smell unburned fuel filling your nose. And just to clear up that 6500 rpm on a small block chevy..... that's with the proper cam and springs of course. Have fun with that boat and watch out for the second lift on sharp turns...... My boat would lift up on a second plane when turning to sharp..... My elbow would touch the water.... if you haven't experienced it yet you will know when it happens, Don't worry the boat won't flip over but it will surprise you !!!!! Best of fun with that boat !!!! 👍👍👍

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Thank you for your helpful comment. I appreciate it. I haven't experienced that second lift on a turn yet, but ill look out for it and be aware. Thank you again for watching!

[@williamhogg7830]

Reminds me of the time when I had an 18 foot NORDIC jet boat. It had a 454 BB. I bet you will have just as much fun in your boat as I did in mine. BE SAFE1

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

That sounds like an awesome boat! I promise we will have the maximum amount of fun we can with our boat, thank you for watching!

[@peterleiza4351]

Never met a 350 that didnt idle that way. LOVE THE RUMBLE😍

[@andrewtamkin2511]

I grew up water skiing behind a Tahiti jet boat so much fun. it has a 402 big block into until it blew up . Then a newer motor got slapped in and then it got moved on to the next owner.

[@1984mojojo]

Sounds great ! Looks like fun. And that's all that matters !

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Hahaha! That's what it's all about!

[@4evergav]

Thumbs UP !! I grew up here in CALIFORNIA on a Berkeley Jet 455 OLDS. Your vid brought back good memories. Ive brought my two kids up on my Nautique. I want to get a OG V Drive or Jet. Much fun to drive

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Jet drive est or surface druve iwest drive v drruve shalow drat all the winers

[@InfamousElGuapo]

Can't beat the sound of 350 humming along in a boat. A 350 will do you just fine in a boat for cruising and what not. 350s have been in boats for decades. You're not going to win a race, but it has enough to do the job for some fun. Nice work!

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

I completely agree with you, and I'm just happy to be able to go have fun with it.

[@Quinn-Craft]

guaranTEE you my 350 marine motor would smoke yours in a race.

[@lovetofly32]

@@Quinn-Craft I was gonna say! Hes very under estimating a 350 chevy! Shit them things will ruuuuun! I have multiple 350s the one on my airboat is very strong!

[@timmadison2375]

Brings back memories good job

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

I'm very glad that it brings back memories for you, and thank you for watching!

[@MrSamurichuck]

Looks like a fun boat. 🚢

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Its so fun to have out on the water. Thank you for watching! I'll post more videos of it as I fix it up.

[@pureprotein9597]

Dude that think sounds like a beast, you honestly can’t beat a small block Chevy

[@93dakman]

Is that a serious comment?

[@saddletramp7215]

Big block chevy..?Maybe?

[@fury210]

Thumbs up for filling the oil filter before installing it. 👍🏻

[@tonylamantia6417]

That boat is beautiful I would redo the blue and clear coat on the top and it would look like a showpiece.

[@nrgzrbunny7775]

I love the sound of quadrajets with the secondaries open

[@ridered7262]

Nicely done Bro! I restored a 1971 Hondo Vdrive and it feels good when it all comes together. Sense of accomplishment. 👍

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Ah, I can't wait for that feeling of accomplishment when it's nice and shiny one day! Thanks for watching!

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Where can I see pictures of your boat?

[@ridered7262]

@@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars Unfortunately I don't have social media but I have tik tok that has a pic of it. I need to post some videos.

[@raychilcote5558]

Thanks. You're inspiring me to get my 17' w/455 olds going again.

[@lovetofly32]

Haha I just had one given to me and it has an Oldsmobile engine but it's been sitting for about 20 years and it's stuck. Gotta figure out how bad it is and then probably replace the whole top of the boat. Sure hope to take it out this summer😁

[@steveum8724]

Awesome !! The best sound

[@ngml320]

Beautiful boat!!

[@mariobmf2381]

Stunning!

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

I want to get the metalflakes shining again and make it look nice again.

[@crapwessel]

Get rid of that fram filter !! I miss my Corp Jet 16 foot Tahiti SBC ,congrats your rig came togather nice.

[@walkingman9171]

Careful on that idle speed, to low and the jet won't feed enough water to the engine. I would upgrade to a WIX filter from any FRAM POS. Maybe a "place diverter" in the future if trim is an issue.. Have fun, jet boats are a blast.

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Thats good to know about the idle speed. Thank you for watching! I'll definitely learn some more about jet boating as I fix it up over time.

[@Hopefullymarried]

I agree with walkingman on that filter... WIX all day. My Buddy got a place diverter for his Belmont jet boat and wow... huge difference in handling

[@dannyo5452]

Beautiful boat bro

[@Hopefullymarried]

Thru transom exhaust...equals no burnt skin on play days😂

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

😂

[@jackmeyers40]

Nice job sir.

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Thank you!

[@Mike-01234]

Had lot of boats nothing like skimming a flat bottom V8 jet or prop over a nice flat lake. Big grin on your face as you hear that V8 roar behind you the wind right in your face. I had a couple of fast bass boats they were cool big 2 strokes 250 HP but wasn't the same as a old school fiberglass flat bottom jet boat made in the 60's and 70's. The sound the smell of 4 barrel carbureted motor.

[@keonikaauwauole4499]

Have fun bro.I love my 1974 19 ft Kona jet boat.B Safe

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Thank you! We will, and thanks for watching!

[@willsummers1245]

Sweet boat sounds good

[@davidheitman7004]

nice. way it goes!

[@FlatBroke612]

It works You did a great job It’s not fast

[@schmidfarms1702]

Sweet

[@GhettoFrosty]

Kinda heart warming.

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Now I just need to get the paint and interior restored.

[@3Repete]

@@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars It's a boat. They are never done!

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

@@3Repete hahaha, exactly 💯

[@scootherring9314]

Dang that’s kool now I want one lol

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Haha, I'm excited to work on it some more this spring. 😄

[@robertnorthrup1914]

I had a 16’ Tahiti jet boat in the early 70s. Had a ‘68 455 Olds/Jacuzzi jet. Engine was 3/4 blue printed, High roller cam 750 Holly carb. Ran a bit over 75 flat out. Would pull 6 from a deep water start.

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

That sounds amazing! Wish I could see it.

[@robertnorthrup1914]

@@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars sorry, YT won’t let me post a pix in a reply. 😓

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

@@robertnorthrup1914 You could send to me on Instagram if you would like.

[@robertnorthrup1914]

@@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars sorry again as I don’t do FB or Instagram. Have a web site or email or txt?

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

@@robertnorthrup1914 No problem 😊 You can contact me through www.wyked.graphics in the contact page. I would love to see it.

[@bigdh2os814]

Enjoyed the vid! FYI-If you ever experience the engine temp getting too high or fluctuating up & down rapidly? Drilling 2 Each 3/8th" holes in the thermostat (the size of a #2 Pencil) allows enough water to pass & helps regulate temps. At idle speeds without the holes drilled, you may see hi-temps? once under way cruising the thermostat has more water to work with keeping it within range. Thanks for sharing! SUBSCRIBED!

[@MattGrayart]

And this is why KZbin can be such a good resource. Good tip!

[@vance14325]

Jet boats dont run thermo

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Thank you for the information and the tip. This boat doesn't use a thermostat, it has a valve that can be adjusted for water flow that comes from the jet drive to the engine for cooling. Thank you for watching and the positive comment! Much appreciated

[@lancebeckman1100]

It shouldn't have a thermostat but you should have a restrictor plate where the thermostat was to make sure water reaches the top of the heads. You need at least a couple psi of water pressure at full throttle but not too much. Moroso makes the restrictors.

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Alright, I will look it up. Thank you again.

[@mydogworriesalot1840]

You dint want to tear down the block?You put all the new stuff on nice machine.

[@paulbriggs3072]

Nice! (Just never take it on rough water!)

[@BuzzLOLOL]

You mean never slow down on rough water!

[@troyheald77]

AAA+++Bedford, Texas

[@doccyclopz]

How sure are you regarding 1966 vintage? If I had to guess I would say you have a 69'/70' or later hull, as the transom "pseudo-Tumblehomes" look suspiciously like those found on the 1969-84 Sidewinders.

[@donaldgloisten7698]

fun

[@tedcarlson6007]

Cool boat I’ve got the same hull

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Thats awesome! Do you know what year yours is?

[@tedcarlson6007]

@@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars mine is a66 also

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

@@tedcarlson6007 so cool. Do you know what engine came in your boat originally?

[@tedcarlson6007]

@@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars not sure. I’m running a 390 Ford in it don’t know if that’s what it came with

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

@@tedcarlson6007 Gotcha. I would love to see your boat. This boat had a 350 in it, but I dont think that was original. I wish I knew what it had original.

[@rocketsnhotrods9022]

Nice it has a split bowl add a place diverter n then you'll be throwing rooster tails lol

[@mariovelazquez9138]

Nice......

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

😄 Thank you, it still needs a lot of love.

[@carsonmeile1718]

That’s high tech

[@bobbyholmes3985]

Cool but with no Alternator . How is it charging the battery?

[@Quinn-Craft]

I love the fact that you actually ran a quadrajet. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard the term "quadrajunk".........don't get me started. Anyone that swaps a quadrajet for a Holley is either A: not a mechanic or B: doesn't understand a THING about engineering. Quadrajets are FAR superior to your BASIC aftermarket carbs, at least. The SMALLEST one was a 750, primarily used on Chevy motors. And the ones used on BOP/Caddy motors I think were 800. I've heard rumors of one even bigger but never seen anything to prove it. Some very MINOR adjustments to your basic 750 CFM Quadrajet makes them EXTREMELY reliable. Couple that with the fact that when they are running on the primaries they have far superior fuel mileage compared to aftermarket carbs of the same size and the fact that when the secondaries open up it's basically a toilet flushing fuel in to the intake.....well I wouldn't trade one for a Holley if it was GIVEN to me!

[@michaelheiser861]

WHERE IS THE ALTERNATOR ?

[@Eeropolvasti]

I dont see any altenator there, how does the engine charge battery?? just wondering...., good sound in engine!=)

[@robertrodriguez4145]

very nice

[@5942erict]

Très belle sonorité moteur !!

[@mikealexander4166]

Disconnect the vacuum advance on that. Isn’t doing anything and doesn’t belong in a boat. Only used in a car at cruise rpm to increase fuel mileage. Does not add anything to top end performance.

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Thanks for the insight. 👍Much appreciated 🙏

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Doesn't hurt anything...

[@chuckfowler8875]

Man a shit load of rubbing compound and a bunch of wax you might be able to bring that color back out its beautiful blue.

[@mobstamaniac]

You ran a jet pump with cutlass bearings out of the water?

[@chaley9093]

HOW would you know how fast it is? You never took it to the limit.

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

It was the first time out with the new engine. Just a test drive, and didn't take it to the limit, but I could definitely tell it's a lot more powerful than the previous engine that was in it.

[@bobbyvance4725]

The nightmarish part of this is the green new( POS ) deal is supposed to eliminate all this FUN and FREEDOM!!!

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

They can try, but it won't stop us from having fun!

[@averagejoereview192]

how much gas does that thing burn? or aka how much does a full tank last?

[@Chevysrule454]

How come that steering wheel is on the left?

[@93dakman]

Do you have any photos of your alternator setup, I noticed it isnt on the front/balancer pulley.

[@boathead22000]

I dont think it has one.

[@93dakman]

@@boathead22000 your engine doesn't have an alternator?

[@AdamWeatherall]

Building a jet boat right now, what's your top knot?

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Thats awesome. I havnt tested the top speed yet.

[@AdamWeatherall]

Great project I believe we have the same boat, but I'm going in an opposite design direction. Really interested to see the difference in design choices, good luck!

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

@@AdamWeatherall yes, I agree with you. The design choices are interesting. On this video I just made it run with what I had already, and keep the cost low to go have fun. Later on I would like to make some changes to the engine, and get the seats and hull looking beautiful.

[@pureprotein9597]

Ahhhhhhh. I’m pretty sure for running it on the hose you are ALWAYS supposed to turn the hose on after you start the engine and turn it off before you kill it. Maybe cuz it’s a v8 it would resist it more, but I know from smaller jetski engines and smaller boat engines that what you did is kinda wrong

[@walkingman9171]

Don't agree with half of that, run engine before turning on water? Heads and exhaust manifolds get hot pretty quick, inducing cold water on hot parts is potential for causing cracks. You could turn the water off before shutting off engine, so long as you don't take forever to turn off the engine though.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Nope... only thing he did wrong was run the jet drive dry...

[@nosman069]

No small block belongs in a jet boat and not a mechanical fuel pump and also you don't turn your jet drive out of water

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

Why not?

[@nosman069]

@@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars Small block does not have the horsepower to push a jet drive. I learned the hard with my jet boat and how much fuel it used when using a mechanical fuel pump. The engine would run out of gas and I had to let up on the throttle to let the bowls on the carb fill back up. That's when I put on a electric fuel pump. The first time i had my impeller replaced on my Berkley jet drive i took it to a guy who use to race a top fuel capsule drag boat. He told me to never spin your jet drive using the engine when out of water. It will ruin the brass bushing that's in the bowl. that bushing is water cooled. I owned a jet boat for 20 years. Running a olds 455 that i always had the cylinders bored to 60 over. 3 rebuilds, 3 blocks, forged pistons, polished and ported heads, dual 4 tunnel ram using a Nitrous oxide cheater system, oil cooler, 10 quart pan, to much to list.

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

@@nosman069 thanks for all of the info! I bought this boat 7 years ago and always had a small block in it. But lately I've been thinking of putting my 394 oldsmobile rocket into it. It's bored 0.125" over and is 420 ci now. I think it would be cool in this old 66 hul. With some stromber97 carbs.

[@nosman069]

@@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars if your going olds get a 455

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

@@nosman069 I really like the 394, and I have already started building it. It's going to be really nice. 🔥

[@Hoanhdung996]

The persimmon is very beautiful, the sound of the muscle is very powerful. Subscribe to the channel to share your passion and develop the KZbin channel. Greetings from Vietnam.

[@kc03300]

life jacket

[@LouwtjievanWykCustomCars]

We have life jackets on the boat. Thanks 😊

[@jklivin2007]

ummmm......l.you shouldn’t run the jet drive out of water, unhook the driveshaft!

[@quagmiredavis4117]

Orange can of death oil filter ( Fram) too lazy to buy AC Delco or wix ? Not brightest crayon in box.... cant fix stupid but stupid using garbage oil filters Keeps my machine shop going 😊👍