Back with a new project....

I have only had one for 5 years now,if it wasn't on it when I bought it I doubt I would add one because I wouldn't know any different. I have to say it is nice when your heading in when the sun's going down and your still soaking wet. I think when they have trouble it's the core that leaks,hoses seem to last quite awhile.

Ended up with some free time this weekend at the lake and without the other half/kids so me and a buddy worked on the boat.


Funny: We were opening the hatch and I accidentally bumped the starter with my buddy standing right behind it. It actually fired (immediately oddly enough) and scared him to death since he was right by the exhaust and not expecting it. It was just for a split second so it didn't sound awful but it did push the rod farther out of the oil pan.   

Took the manifolds, hoses, throttle cable, starter, etc off the motor. Also pulled the ballasts, and dividers. the factory tanks will not be going back in. Labeled and took plenty of pictures so I can hopefully go back in fairly easy.

I am beginning to wonder how complete i can keep it from here on out before it will squeeze out of there... I know the FCC needs to come off as it sticks pretty far out there. I'll need to seperate the Trans and V-Drive and slide them forward a bit.

I wish it was running.. I actually haven't touched it at all. I was going to vacuum it out and unhook the batteries this weekend but only got the housekeeping portion done.

I'm working on a kitchen remodel so the boat comes next in a few months. I've got everything worked out with a somewhat local motor builder just need to send my money for a long block and get some time set aside for the swap. It's killing me to not work on it but I made a promise to the lady in charge.

Thanks for the tip, I'm headed back this weekend or next and will get it sorted out.

Well,

I forgot to unhook the batteries last trip to the lake and now they are both aparently dead. From what I gather my only access to the hatch is to remove the rear seat and un-do the pin holding down the hatch. What fun...

If it were me I’d spend the extra $ and go with a roller.

Found this in a Chevy forum after a search...

“Putting a flat tappet into a factory roller block is dirt simple. Shove in the flat tappet cam and lifters, remove the stock roller cam retaining plate, install a standard flat tappet timing chain set (which is different from the roller cam chain set) and you're good to go. Done it several times. Most recently last month on a super-cheap 350 that's going in my wife's 92 Camaro "fun car."

The flat tappet lifters will look kinda "funny" sitting WAY down in those extra-tall roller lifter bores, but they'll work just peachy. In fact, the factory often used flat tappet cams in roller block castings for truck and boat engines. This is exactly how they did it.

Oh yeah...... you'll need flat-tappet length pushrods, too (~7.8"). Roller pushrods are shorter than those used on flat tappet cams in a SBC. No biggie. A decent cheap set can be had for just about nothing. A good set for about twice almost nothing.”

Doing my research on the 502 has lead me to something... Almost every 502 long or short block I’ve found is roller cam but from what I gather these came factory flat Tappet. The only actual python rebuild I’ve found was on here by James and he went with a roller cam but I haven’t found anything in his posts specific to the cam. Basically I’m wondering if it really matters

Still shines up pretty good.

bkhallpass wrote: I kind of thought the same thing. But it was 20 years ago, and I was not the guy putting them on the boat, so . . . BKH

And sounded like he had seen them before. 😃. Who knows, they look like they’ve been on there since new or close to it

I know I'm not supposed to link to the "other" website but I like these graphics. (Page 7 after the tribal... No tribal, ever).



https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/forum/nautique-topics/show-us-your-nautique/27473-1997-super-sport-red-black-air-work-in-progress-lots-of-photos/page7

With all due respect to Woody, I think this is a very good recreation of the 98 Air Nautique graphic updated to add Super. There is also a similar version for the 99 Pro Air . My apologies if they ever offered this graphic for Super Airs but if so I have never seen it. I believe the correct 99 Super Air graphics are NLA unfortunately.

woodyelc wrote: Those decal are factory installed. Saw plenty coming thru Southeast and have had the pleasure of installing some.

Interesting. Have seen many Air Nautque with that design, but that would be the first Super Air. Got to believe the guys that were there.

BKH

Mobile gantry's tend to be less rugged than they look at times, figure you'd want one that is rated for twice what you expect to lift with it. You can build an I-beam frame for relatively short money, hang a hoist on a trolley, really versatile as you can lift and roll the load in a straight line. Might have to pour a pair of reinforced square slabs under the uprights depending on what kind of slab you have there now. Can't move it but very useful.

Really looks nice! I test drove a '99 Python Sport back when I was looking and the sound was awesome, cool factor as well, and needless to say it pulled hard out of the hole and buried the Airguides. That's going to be a great boat for you.

Overhead crane - meaning beam and roller with a chain hoist? Something else?

Oddly enough I love the purple. I'm going to pull all of the decals and do something different. I can't seem to find the 99 decals however. I can print whatever so it would be nice if I could track down the art.

Looks to be in fine condition. Purple has never been my favorite, but I'm sure you'll make it work! Nothing better than a good buffing and new stickers. Good luck.