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Trying to get a plan together for my Project Trojan so that I can get started on it over the winter. Would love to use it next summer and if I work hard I should be able to. :)
For starters I have a 1973 Trojan F25 with a chrysler 318/velvet drive combo.
What carb Should be on this motor? It has a holley 4 barrell on it now, that does not look original. I am assuming this was put on by the Previous owner, any pros or cons to keeping it if it is not original?
Are there any electronic ignition kits on the market for these engines. I am a marine mechanic and dont mind doing points but figure I Will look into it while I am there.
Lastly what are good repower options for this boat? I dont know much about the engines history, and some of what I am finding concerns me, such as welded manifolds. I am debating just pulling the engine and rebuilding it and putting on new manifolds but at the same time would like to look into what engines could be installed in its place. What will bolt up to the transmission that I have? Is there a better motor/trans combo I should be looking for.
That all sounds fine to me. Don't spend money on something until it breaks! I had rochester carbs for a while then holley's...couldn't tell the difference. If those engines ever croak, you can get a couple small blocks for pretty cheap and have a rocket boat.
The Velvet Drives are great. The key is to make sure the shaft is going straight into them and doesn't wobble ... that's what breaks the tranny. If you can turn the shaft with your hand, it's probably alright.
The only problems I've ever had while on the water were always electrical. If she were mine, the first thing I would do would be to go through the entire boat and clean-up the wiring as much as possible...and replace it if it's really bad. You could have the best engines in the world...won't matter if the On switch is corroded! Then go over all the plumbing, steering and through-hulls for safety and convenience. You may break down...but you prolly' won't sink and ruin your marguarita.
Then go have some fun.
Sounds like sound advice! Ialready have plans to rewire the boat. I hate electrical problems and boats are plagued with em. I always rewire as one of my first projects.
My reason for doing the mechanical work in advance is that I am marine mechanic who works on outboards and I/O's. I have no experience with inboards. That said all summer long I work very long hours fixing other peoples boats at our family shop and sadly if mine breaks I usually dont have the time to fix it until winter so I am trying to get ahead of things!
My hope is to have a hell of a boat by summer! Gotta do somethin while the snow is flying.
i have a 73 f25 also.....mine has carter AFB carb....i have a couple incase i need to swap em....beware of the old galvanize fuel tank....they usually clog a carb real quick when they get that old, filters or not....
you can buy a 75 or later system that will be electronic or get a pentronix ingnitor kit (may have not spelled that right) ive got one in mine and worked fine....
the old chryslers were great motors....cracked manifolds sounds like time to replace.....the thing i think (jmho) is the design/improvement process stopped along time ago on the old chrysler motors ....shame really but what ya gonna do. almost any small block v8 is gonna work....and you can get what ever bell housing you need to bolt em up....i think some may even be universals with different bolt patterns and you use the holes that apply....i dont think theres much better than the ole velvet drives...pretty foolproof...
one of the biggest improvements i can suggest is new fuel tank and swap out the old 1000lb starter for a new light weight reliable model....i always had starter problems with those old starters....
I just want to smooth out the drivetrain. My last two boats I had OMC drivetrains in and had them dialed in great and they literally purred like kittens. This one sounds more like a drunken oaf stumbling home and I doubt that is the way it should be lol. Its just rough and needs some love I guess.
:)