Hmm just realized I haven't really updated in a while. So to bring the thread up to speed, I had the cylinder head rebuilt with new hardened ex. valve seats. During the time it was at the machine shop, I installed new rollers on the trailer and got the tongue weight adjusted properly. Yippie.
Then just before Thanksgiving, the head was ready to be picked up from the shop. I got the engine all reassembled that weekend, and by next weekend had it back in the water for another test run. Well, the noise didn't go away. So it's got to be a tuning issue. I was able to get really good spark plug readings, installing fresh plugs while out on the water. Looks to be running too lean. I changed the fuel inlet barb fitting on the fuel pump to a fitting with a larger ID, and that seemed to help a little. My partner who was with me had noticed that the fuel pressure was dropping down about 2psi the further I depressed the throttle (from 6psi at idle to 4psi at higher speeds). After changing the fitting this problem was resolved.
So at this point I'm going to look for a distributor spring kit, and see if I can change the distributor springs to stiffer ones to get a less aggressive timing curve, and also check into the carburetor and see what jets are actually in there, measure them with a pin gauge. Not sure if the weather will hold out long enough for another test run, but if I can't get it running right after trying those two aforementioned things, I'm going to just haul it to a marina and have them tune it up for me.
Some more pictures...
Worked on polishing the bow up...
Trailer work, new rollers...launches so nice now, and retrieval has also much improved much less strain on the winch now. Had to drill new holes for all new cotter pins, as these rollers were a bit wider on the hub the washers made it impossible to get the cotter pins in, a big PITA but worth it.
Here's the fresh head with hardened seats pressed in...yay no more lead additives!
