'79 Formula 255 Liberator Update
#244
Registered
Why are you running both drives RH?
#245
Registered
If I had to guess, between one and three. Wonder if anyone else ever updated a boat this old to such power!
I was wondering how you have been doing, both of our threads have had no action in almost a month! Mine is mainly due to camping schedule and some work.
Brian
I was wondering how you have been doing, both of our threads have had no action in almost a month! Mine is mainly due to camping schedule and some work.
Brian
#246
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Thread Starter
Great question...simple answer: I need to get a different controller...I didn't realize that the old style Morse doesn't allow enough throw to operate a Bravo in reverse rotation. The newer styles manufactured after the early '90's do. So until I replace controls I decided to run both clockwise until I do.I have the props to go both ways and since I'm undecided about which controler set up to use I decided to run it this way until I do.
This is another one of those little details that you don't discover until you actually do a "Twin Pre Alpha to Twin Bravo" swap.
You have to admit...this isn't a common swap/upgrade.
This is another one of those little details that you don't discover until you actually do a "Twin Pre Alpha to Twin Bravo" swap.
You have to admit...this isn't a common swap/upgrade.
#247
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How about the new interior, if you don`t want those nice bolsters send them north
#248
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Thread Starter
The interior has been last on the list for sure. Once I get this rig set up propulsion wise...so I don't pour grease and oil all over every where...I'll dive into it. I can't wait...an I"m excited to get into the next phase!!
#250
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Thread Starter
OK...got home with my "Bird" around 7 PM. I am going to work on getting the interior back in it and hope the weather cooperates...50% chance of rain tomorrow and 70% Sunday. One of the benefits of having a trailer under this rig is that here in SE Florida there are only 500 different places I can put in and put some time on it.
I ran it out Port Everglades a bit today but didn't push it...just getting the feel for things...looking for leaks etc. I have some old gasoline that I am running out and I'm afraid to take it upstairs for too long for fear of burning a piston or valve from detonation I don't hear. The timing right now is set back at 29 deg. total so it's not making full power...but even still it hits 65 pretty quick. The big surprise is how quickly this heavy assed Formula comes out of the hole and up on plane!! I ran around for about 20 minutes at about 35 MPH...put it back on the trailer and brought it home. I plan to drop the break in oil at about 10 hours and probably the drive fluid as well. After about 25 minutes of running I measured the oil temp with my laser thermometer...185 deg F...water temp matches the gauge at 165.
BTW...I finally measured the freeboard...rub rail to chine is 43". For comparison I measured a 30' Sunsation and a 30' Baja...both are 24"...big difference.
The shop where I have had it the past few months is in Ft. Lauderdale, about 60 miles from my house. I really appreciate this trailer with 1200# back in the ass end...lowers the tongue weight on my Escalade from about 600# to 400# which is perfect. I can run 70~75 with ease on the Interstate and barely know that 7500# is following me.
I'll post some pics as i'm putting it back together this weekend.
I ran it out Port Everglades a bit today but didn't push it...just getting the feel for things...looking for leaks etc. I have some old gasoline that I am running out and I'm afraid to take it upstairs for too long for fear of burning a piston or valve from detonation I don't hear. The timing right now is set back at 29 deg. total so it's not making full power...but even still it hits 65 pretty quick. The big surprise is how quickly this heavy assed Formula comes out of the hole and up on plane!! I ran around for about 20 minutes at about 35 MPH...put it back on the trailer and brought it home. I plan to drop the break in oil at about 10 hours and probably the drive fluid as well. After about 25 minutes of running I measured the oil temp with my laser thermometer...185 deg F...water temp matches the gauge at 165.
BTW...I finally measured the freeboard...rub rail to chine is 43". For comparison I measured a 30' Sunsation and a 30' Baja...both are 24"...big difference.
The shop where I have had it the past few months is in Ft. Lauderdale, about 60 miles from my house. I really appreciate this trailer with 1200# back in the ass end...lowers the tongue weight on my Escalade from about 600# to 400# which is perfect. I can run 70~75 with ease on the Interstate and barely know that 7500# is following me.
I'll post some pics as i'm putting it back together this weekend.