I just heard the news of Buddys passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Buddy will be truly missed. Buddy helped me out with a problem I was having with a Caddy motor many years ago. He soon became a friend and built a couple of Caddy motors for me over the years. He was a Master of h...

Congrats on the build. Good to see her alive again. Say hello to Buddy for me, and post up some video of the final break in before she comes off the stand.


GrandPa

Thanks for the update. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Buddy built the motor in 2006. It took a while to complete the build. Buddy was Not in good health at the time. He was going for dialysis on a regular basis and on a transplant list. I honestly cant remember the exact date the motor was finished. But I can tell you it was worth the wait. Buddy is a ...

I always ran a 1" or 7/8" restrictor plate. Never had any problems. Temp would not fluctuate, it was always consistent. but that's down here in Florida. Probably run a T-stat if you have to contend with cold weather.

It always ran around 60 psi. that motor always had strong oil pressure. No worries about low speed running. Buddy knows how to get them right.

Thanks for posting the new build. Its nice to see that the old girl will live on and be better than ever. Sorry I ever sold that boat, but I had to help out my 80 year old mom at the time with a place to live. Family and priorities. When Buddy gets her finished maybe we can get together and go for a...

Chuck, congrats on your retirement. Good luck to you and your family. You will be missed in the airboat community. You have always been fair and Honest, and always willing to help those that needed it. It was a pleasure doing business with you. looking forward to the new website.

John C

x2, Buddy is as good as they come. knowledgeable, Honest, Fair, and great customer service. From my experience it was a pleasure doing business with him.

John C

Congrats on an awesome build. Looks like you got it dialed in just right.

That was a strong running motor. I sure miss that Caddy boat. I always ran 93 in her. And the most important thing is listen to Buddy and do what he tells you to do, from break in, to oil changes. One of his motors will live for a very long time on an airboat. If it wasn't for that radiator hose fai...

Good Luck. I'm sure she is gonna be a beast. keep us posted and tell Buddy I said Hello.

Here ya go.

Happy Birthday Man. Sorry I didn't catch it until now. Hope you had a good one.

I'll tell him to consider an ls motor before he spends any money. I know power to weight ratio is extremely important on an airboat. the boat had a 520ci motor on it and he is used to a big block. Don't think he has ever run a boat with an ls motor on it. Its funny hearing people call a 15x8 airboat...

Thanks for all the replies guys. That's what great about this. Great info coming in. I'm sure it will help him make his decision. Skip This motor is going on the 15x8 Hamant boat that I used to own. the one you rode on. It would probably run real good with an LS motor. But I'm not the one spending t...

Thanks spoonbill, Glad to hear your happy with your zz502. The reason the motor needs to be replaced on this boat is exactly what happened to yours. Blew the radiator hose off and didn't realize it until it was to late and the damage was done. Looks like double radiator hose clamps are in order. muc...

So from the info I'm getting, It looks like a stock crate engine out of the box will do the job if you do not increase the compression ratio. and you replace the valves with good one piece stainless steel valves and keepers. Anybody have any recommendations on changing the cam? Just want to upgrade ...

Thanks Joe. Whats your thoughts on 11:1 compression. any risk of detonation issues if you get some skunky pump gas??? I think 9.6:1 is stock. or at least that's what I was told. I don't know much about the 502. I have never run one. Just trying to gather some info before my friend orders one.

thanks, that's the type of info I was looking for. Keep the info coming. His mechanic said it wouldn't take much to get 11:1 compression ratio out of one. Is this OK or is it asking for detonation issues on pump gas? Anyone know what the proper upgrade for the valves would be for an airboat applicat...

A good friend of mine is thinking about a new 502 crate motor. Its going on a 15x8 Hammant hull. Are they good for an airboat application right out of the crate? Or are there some necessary modifications that should be made to help one perform well and live for a long time pushing an airboat. Cam ch...

Happy New Year to all. Be safe, stay healthy, and God Bless.
Here's to a great 2016

I'll try to get some pics posted in a few day if I can. But Chuck is right. Chuck put together a 4.3 direct injected 6 cyl ecotec for me. I didn't want to go with a turbo engine. So I decided to add 2 more cylinders instead and run a 6 cyl N/A motor. The motor is spinning an 80" 2 blade Maximu...

I'll try to get some pics posted in a few day if I can. But Chuck is right. Chuck put together a 4.3 direct injected 6 cyl ecotec for me. I didn't want to go with a turbo engine. So I decided to add 2 more cylinders instead and run a 6 cyl N/A motor. The motor is spinning an 80" 2 blade Maximus...

Merry Christmas everyone