TOPIC: The old 1500 is mov'n

Well last few days I have worked on the Carlson Contender and 1500 Short Shaft combo. Put a 12 gallon fixed Moeller tank in, put a small turn fin on, hooked up a tach, water pressure gauge and beefed up my jack plate with 2 more bolts thru the transom and aluminum angle to help support the transom.

Today I took it to the river and tested a 23, 24, 26 chopper and a 25 cleaver.

The motor ran up to nearly 7000 RPM before I pulled it down. It seemed to run right up to 7000 if needed but I feel it was at its peek HP around 6200.

This is the same as an xs block.

I got a 70.9 MPH reading on the GPS but the current messes with that so hard to tell real MPH. Id guess 69mph.


The choppers worked fine except I did not feel as comfortable at speed with them, the boat did not stay as stable as I would like. And man the TORQUE steer is quite brutal with the 26 chopper. At speed I have a tough time moving the steering wheel off the lock. So when I starts chinewalking a bit its nearly impossible to correct with out over compensating.

The cleaver ran out well just like it always does. Turbine smooth and the boat feels much more stable I ran out of gas before I could do a full throttle pass with my 25 and 26 cleavers. But I imagine they would have put up bigger numbers than the choppers because thats what they have done in the past.


Man 12 gallons is gone quick at 6500 RPM

PS the small turn fin(ski fin) helped, but it needs to be bigger.

I think this rig will produce 75 mph this summer after I raise the motor a bit and put on a trick lower unit that I put together. (Right Dr. Frankenmerc

Conrad

Just Cool!

Nicely done Conrad, 6200 should be about right. The contender is light so I am not surprised it went to 7000. Definitely need more prop. Interesting observation on the cleaver vs chopper. I will take turbine smooth over torque steer any day.

I may prop it lower and enter a drag race with it in June. They have a Less Than 65mph boat bracket that I think it would do ok in.

Conrad

Congrats on hitting your 70 MPH goal Conrad! Can't wait to see (and hear!) some video of the old girl in action.

the Merc Gods are smiling

Did a few more runs at 70 last night. Got home and had bugs splattered all over my face. Kinda funny
conrad

meat....its part of the four food groups!

Protein, it's good for you!

Bob

It's is going to interesting to see what happens when you intall 'the' lower unit.
I don't think the bugs have even crawled out from under their winter hiding places yet around here!
That's the kind of talk that gets the 'fever' going in me though!!!
Boating season is just around the corner.
I'm hiding my VISA card so that there will be enough left on it to buy a tank of gas this summer.
Thom

A pic or two more from today.
Conrad

Awesome, Conrad, just awesome
Neil

Dr_Frankenmerc wrote:

I'm hiding my VISA card so that there will be enough left on it to buy a tank of gas this summer.
Thom

What are you paying now Tom? I saw one place here that is selling at £1.43 per litre (UK pounds) - roughly $9.00 per US gal that works out to, cheapest (according to the internet) in my area is $8.00 - although I have no idea where that is as most I see are nearer the $9.00. Thats what 63% tax on our petrol (gas) does for you.