Another Liberator 261

[JonBrown]

Hello all ,
I have just purchased my childhood dream boat. It took a while. (30yrs) I live in Houston and have a small yacht repair business, and a few outboards if I have to. So naturally I went with the Libby 261 twin 460 King Cobra drives. Engines run perfect. I have to build new manifolds and I think 100 gallons of fuel isnt quite enough from what I have seen. This week we are starting the tear down , floor is removed. Stringers are in decent condition. Cabin is solid but dated. Hull is 100% paint is 80% although it will get new paint. I was wondering if anyone had one of these and could share the pro's and cons? What updates are practical? How much fuel does that old 460 use? I have twin 460. Just for planning purposes. I live on or near the Gulf and will be in the salt 50% of the time. The local lake is a bit small for this boat. And the drivers are a bit inexperienced for me. Share what you think and what you know.. Experience is worth every dollar saved in this project. Oh and I soo need a few parts .
Jon

 

[sphelps]

Welcome aboard ! :welcome:
I don't have any experience with a boat like this so I can't offer much help but I do like to watch the process unfold ... Tagging along for the ride !
Pictures please ! Sounds like an awesome project !

 

[Scott Danforth]

good news - you found your childhood dream boat

bad news - try finding parts for your drives, they are non-existant.

good news - there are companies that make adapters for your 460's to use the GM 454 manifolds.

are your motors carbureted or EFI? if the motors are EFI, parts are even harder to get than parts for your drive.

I personally would sell the motors and drives to someone in desparate need of these no longer available parts, and get yourself something you can get parts for.

HT32BSX115 had a liberator with the 460/king cobra that he had to change for parts availability. he should be by soon to comment.

 

[JonBrown]

Well the drives and engines have about 36 hours on them. ( 10 was my hours) I also have a marine shop , I work on the yachts. The King Cobra's aren't as bad as people think, they just don't hole shot that big boat very well. But the parts are getting a little rare. The manifolds we can make in house from stainless so no worries there. It takes more than the King Cobra myth to scare me. Yet if I had a choice I would have proffered the 454 twin. But this is the way it goes. And they are carb. But we sell the EFI kits and if I keep them in there I will put the EFI on it. I must say there is nothing like the sound of a 460 x 2 rumble . At idle it gets attention .
Jon

 

[JonBrown]

No Title

needs a lot of cleaning,