I'm thinking about a project, just for fun, of putting a 6.5 in an inboard ski boat. I'd find a rough but functional hull, put it together with the help of a friend that is much better than me at wrenching. I have no huge performance expectations, just think it could be a neat project.
These boats usually have small block V8's in them, some with big block. If I'm right a small block weighs 550 lbs. or so, big block 700 lbs. Is a 6.5 TD around 900 lbs. without a lot of accessories? I'm sure the stringers would handle it, we could distribute the weight as needed, but certainly will change the way the hull handles.
HP and torque - if exhaust was 4" and open, decent lift pump, do FTB and marine injectors, very open intake, etc., would I expect around 225 HP and somewhere over 400 lb.-ft.?
Engine control - I'm very unclear on how the electronic side of things works. In a boat engine you just want to push the throttle and go. Any thoughts on the simplest way to set it up?
A Chevy 454 mates perfectly to several stock transmissions. Is a 6.5's configuration similar enough to make that work? I know a transmission guy who would probably enjoy the project, so I assume he could figure out a way to do it.
Fresh water cooling - I don't know how a 6.5 would react to that. You can still run a thermostat, but the water entering is cold, I don't know if that would cause problems. I'd run an oil cooler to be safe on that end. I certainly don't want to do closed loop cooling.
Is this a project that just shouldn't get started? Curious to hear what people think.
These boats usually have small block V8's in them, some with big block. If I'm right a small block weighs 550 lbs. or so, big block 700 lbs. Is a 6.5 TD around 900 lbs. without a lot of accessories? I'm sure the stringers would handle it, we could distribute the weight as needed, but certainly will change the way the hull handles.
HP and torque - if exhaust was 4" and open, decent lift pump, do FTB and marine injectors, very open intake, etc., would I expect around 225 HP and somewhere over 400 lb.-ft.?
Engine control - I'm very unclear on how the electronic side of things works. In a boat engine you just want to push the throttle and go. Any thoughts on the simplest way to set it up?
A Chevy 454 mates perfectly to several stock transmissions. Is a 6.5's configuration similar enough to make that work? I know a transmission guy who would probably enjoy the project, so I assume he could figure out a way to do it.
Fresh water cooling - I don't know how a 6.5 would react to that. You can still run a thermostat, but the water entering is cold, I don't know if that would cause problems. I'd run an oil cooler to be safe on that end. I certainly don't want to do closed loop cooling.
Is this a project that just shouldn't get started? Curious to hear what people think.