Building a hotrod with my 1977 1500

[OldMercsRule]

With the help of Chris1956 I am cornvinced that the 1500 I bought recently is in fact a 1500.

I am in the process of freshening up the fuel system and cooling system and internal wiring prior to an on the lake full throttle test.

I am also doing the same on a 1968 1250 that is on an extremely light 16 foot hull. If the 1250 scares me too bad I will not swap to the 1500, (hope it doesn't scare me).

Question #1: I have a fresh water PT mid section from a 1979 115 inline 6 that I want to swap to the salty 1500, I know that will be a bolt up job.

Real question: will the 1978 800 inline 4 fresh water LU bolt up to the inline 6 mid? (I think yes based on the parts from each.)

Question #2: will the 1500 have the hair to turn the 19 pitch three blade stainless wheel 6000 RPMs on a light hull, (the gear ratio of the 800 LU is longer then the stock inline 6 ratio)?

note: the stainless wheel was purchased from a feller who's 1986 115 inline 6, (125-130 crank hp vs the 150 crank hp of the 1500), over reved this same wheel on a hull that was heavier then the one I have in mind.

Yer opinions are much appreciated. Thanks JR

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Building a hotrod with my 1977 1500

Well to answer ya questions in order, here go's:

#1..Mid's will swap out no problem and yes the 4 cylinder unit will bolt up but you dont want to use it as ratio is wrong (2:3:1).
Examples:
6000 rpm,19 pitch prop,10%slip,2:3:1 ratio =42.2mph
6000 rpm,19 pitch prop,10%slip,1:87:1 ratio =52 mph
6000 rpm,19 pitch prop,10%slip,1:78:1 ratio =54.6mph
#2... The engine should have no problem as long has it is in good shape internally
I dont know what type hull or weight ya are going to run but ya should be able to turn a bigger prop. My Allison 14ft only weighed 430 lbs and with a 150 inline on a 4"jack plate would turn a 24 chopper 6300 easy @ 71mph gps.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Building a hotrod with my 1977 1500

Thanks I forgot the 4 was 2.3 to1. I was cornfused with my 1971 1150 which is the 1.78 to one. That is the LU I will swap in. Thanks again. Maybe I need a bigger wheel. JR

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Building a hotrod with my 1977 1500

OldMerc, I ran my '77 1500 on a 16' Avenger (670 pounds for hull), and used a 21" pitch prop. This setup could pull skiiers w/o issue. I never could get improved performance from a 23' pitch, but I did not have a jackplate on it.

Fazt - you ran an inline six on a 14 footer and lived to tell about it? That is some steady driving style, as my Avenger had a pretty fast hull and she would chinewalk easily at high speed, unless I held her perfectly steady.