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New member, probably old questions.
I want to ask some old questions because I'm not sure how the answers will fit my specific application...
I have a 24' welded aluminum whitewater jet boat. This thing was $60,000 in 1989. I bought it used and have refurbished it extensively. It had a rebuilt 460 in it with 10 hours on it - stock distributer and marine holley 4160. I changed the oil and it had very fine milky break in metal swirls. I have changed it twice since and the oil is clean. The last oil change was with Royal Purple 10/30 synthetic.
I put an MSD electronic ignition and an Edelbrock performer intake manifold and marine 750 cfm carb. It makes decent power, but has some blow-by coming out of the breathers... smoke and a dribble of oil. Maybe not broken in enough for the synthetic oil yet? Maybe a bad rebuild and my rings are just leaking?
Supposedly the rebuild was by a reputable marine shop, but who really knows. The engine is the only thing I haven't personally rebuilt and I'm thinking of breaking it open and really dialing it in.
I am thinking of stroking it and using aluminum heads. I'd also like to use an upgraded cam and rollers. I'd like to be able to reuse my new carb and intake, or better yet fuel inject it - I run different altitudes. The fuel injection might be tough because it should be US Coast Guard Approved - stock 460 injection won't fit that, MASS might work.
My questions...
1. Reliability and longevity is very important. Torque is of second importance - the jet pump needs torque, tops out at 4,000 RPM. Horsepower is cool too. What size stroker kit offers all three of these requirements? I've heard that the angle of the rods on larger kits make for a short lived engine.
2. Which heads?
3. Which cam, rollers, etc...
4. For ultimate reliability, useability, and longevity should I just stick with the 460?
5. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for any help,
Onplane
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