Folks,

My block on my inboard ski boat ended up cracked due to trapped water and and a COLD winter in NC 10 years ago. I discovered this in April, with the impending arrival of daughter #2 in 2 months. I knew if I didn't get this fixed soon it was going to be a year or so until I would get time... off to the races.

It was fun pulling it out ( Chevy 454 + trans) in the boat on the trailer mean I need to lift it about 6' high to clear the sides of the boat. I built a frame out of 2x8's - tripled and tied it to the trusses in the top of my garage. It lifted just fine, and then I could pull out the boat. 2 weeks have gone by, baby due in 6 weeks.

Now the engine goes on a stand, heads and tranny removed, diagnosis done - new short block needed. I found one from a guy in Dawsonville GA I worked with (NASCAR theme starting). He had it in a Suburban for 5000 miles but pulled it back out. BTW - I live in Mooresville, home of about 20 NASCAR teams. He wants my old block for a core. I had an 86 Isuzu Trooper at the time. The stand worked perfectly to roll it into the back of the Trooper, but left it 3" off the floor of the trooper. No problem... put the hydraulic jack under the Trooper and lift until no load on the engine bolts. Unbolt from the stand and pack up the engine, heads, and jack for the trip.

I arrive in Dawsonville, we tour the Bill Elliott McDonalds in town. Unload the engine and reload the new one. A bargain at $500 for a recent rebuilt with a truck cam - great for a tow boat. Back on the road the next day.

I was concerned about the new block and the compression ratio with my heads. I found a small shop, "Bills Head Shed" in Blacksburg, SC. I called and he said no problem, he could CC the heads and figure out the compression ratio of the new combo.

I stop on the way home to get my heads CC'ed and the block measured. Way out in the county I find a little metal building ( 20x 60 or so) and expect dirt floors. Inside, I find out Bill is the pre-eminent NASCAR Head Specialist. Spotless floor, 10 or Numerically Controlled machines. He measures it all and pronounces 8.5:1 - life is good. Total charge $20.

Back to NC I arrange for my motor head friend to arrive the next week-end, now down to 4 weeks and counting before baby. My buddy arrives and we put together the engine. There is a flex-plate on the back that ties to the tranny. On inspection we find a few sheared bolts on Saturday at 5pm. Nobody around town that is open and sells grade 8 bolts in Mooresville. Jump in the car, run to Charlotte and catch a PEP boys and grab the bolts needed with 15 minutes to spare.

Sunday afternoon assembly is complete, we hoist the engine back up and remount in the boat. We reconnect all the electrical and and plumbing. Crank and crank and it fires! Move the trailer over to a boat ramp and fire it for real with a water supply. It runs for 15 minutes - we adjust the timing - no leaks! It runs another 10 minutes and we decide time to launch. Off for a quiet run.

Fifteen more minutes into checking everything out... all is good. My buddy looks at me and says " I thought this thing had a 4 barrel?". ZOOM! Daughter #2 arrives 2 weeks later. Life is good 8^).

Nine years later it is still running great.

Chuck