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Direct Drive Set Up

nebraskaairboater

Well-known member
Just curious as to what direct drive set up is most used. I currently run a direct drive 350 Chevy but have an opportunity to go to a big block Caddy. So if I could get a combination of what engine, prop, and hull size people are running I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Dan Porter, Jr.
Fremont, Nebraska
 
I ran a 500 Caddy several years ago. It was on a 12.5' fiberglass hull and swung a 72x38 Senenich paddle prop about 2900 rpm's. The hull was good & deep and floated it fairly well. It ran the hill extremely well and was fast on the water.
 
I have an old 15' aluminum hull. It seems to sag a little on the back end now with the 350. The only thing I'm affraid of is it beeing too heavy on the back end with the 500. Just curious how far from the back of the boat was the flywheel on your setup. I have been looking and my problem might be that my engine is set too far back in my boat. Or will 100 or so punds not make that much difference?

Thanks again,

Dan
 
I used to run a 13' combee with a dd 500. It had a six blade warp drive, crane cam, holly 650 spread bore carb, ss headers and HEI. This boat ran really good and only burned + or - 5 gal fuel/hr. It had no problem climbing nig ridge from either side and would also go anywhere on bs hill, ive even run the marsh from the milk bus to bs hill when the marsh was bone dry. This was a cheap boat to maintain and operate also very dependable.
 
I heard that you could turn them up to 3800 before they come apart
 
Ran a 350 on a 18x8 with a 72x38 wood turned it at 2750 rpm till i blew up the 350. Now have a 455 olds and turn the same prop at 2950 rpm no problem could go even go 100 rpm more but don't trust the prop. That extra 200 rpm I gained with the 455 makes a great difference on perfomance. In my opinion it was definetly worth upgrading to the Big Block, the extra weight was not noticable. But the extra power certainly was. Don't know how it would effect a smaller boat? I am looking for a new prop and I talked to the guys at warp drive and they recommended a 72" 4 blade for our 455.

Sre You say you run a six blade warp drive at 3000 rpm what lenght is your prop? Because I'm thinking a 4 blade 72" might not be enough prop for my 455, if your turning a six blade at 3000 !!!!!!

swampdonkey
 
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