'77 Howard GN 20'

cj222 · May 14, 2024

New v-drive mid plate from D21

cj222 · May 20, 2024

Little by little making progress

cj222 · May 20, 2024

Might need a new prop shaft. It has a large amount of run out in the middle where it is going through the shaft log. Can prop shafts be straightened?

cj222 · May 20, 2024

Backlash · May 22, 2024

cj222 said:
Might need a new prop shaft. It has a large amount of run out in the middle where it is going through the shaft log. Can prop shafts be straightened?

With the amount of time and effort you're putting into this restoration, I wouldn't take the chance. If you can, splurge on a new shaft and skimp on something else that is less of a necessity.

cj222 · May 22, 2024

Backlash said:
With the amount of time and effort you're putting into this restoration, I wouldn't take the chance. If you can, splurge on a new shaft and skimp on something else that is less of a necessity.

Figured it out. I had to make an adjustment to the alignment of the v-drive. It was slightly off alignment with the prop shaft and also once I did that and then tightened the coupler the runout went away.

cj222 · May 22, 2024

Also picked up a new coupler. The old one was pretty beat up from someone hammering on it.

cj222 · May 23, 2024

Fun parts starts. Using my mockup motor and old set of plates from a Schiada to figure out motor placement.

cj222 · May 23, 2024

New plates roughed in.

BamBam · May 24, 2024

Looking good. Nice progress.
Are you planning to keep that V-Drive with the in and out shifter on it? You shouldn't need the in and out box with a th400 in there.

cj222 · May 24, 2024

BamBam said:
Looking good. Nice progress.
Are you planning to keep that V-Drive with the in and out shifter on it? You shouldn't need the in and out box with a th400 in there.

Thank you! So with the prop shaft I have I need it for the extra length. I haven't taken it apart to inspect but it doesn't seem to do anything when I move the lever. It stays engaged in either position.

cj222 · May 27, 2024

Working on a mid plate for the transmission tail housing now.

cj222 · Jun 9, 2024

Been really busy with my regular work so I haven't played with the Howard very much but I did start to make some parts for my throttle pedal and down pedal assembly. Since my boat only has the two stringers I'll be mounting this assembly to a base plate that will mount to the stringer.

cj222 · Jun 17, 2024

Bought myself a Father's Day present. Picked up these CMI headers for a smokin deal. Drilled the flanges to work with Std. BBC heads as these are for the Mercruiser 525/600 motors which have different bolt pattern for exhaust flange.

cj222 · Jun 18, 2024

So I pressure tested these headers knowing I would find a leak for the amount of money I paid for them and I had a good hunch where they were leaking. The primary tubes tend to Crack inside the collector at the weld.

Well I found the leaks. Same cracks on both headers. Wire brushed carbon off, welded the cracks, pressure tested again and no more leaks. I consider these headers a WIN

for $1500 bucks

lenmann · Jun 18, 2024

cj222 said:
So I pressure tested these headers knowing I would find a leak for the amount of money I paid for them and I had a good hunch where they were leaking. The primary tubes tend to Crack inside the collector at the weld.

Well I found the leaks. Same cracks on both headers. Wire brushed carbon off, welded the cracks, pressure tested again and no more leaks. I consider these headers a WIN for $1500 bucks
View attachment 1389540
View attachment 1389542
View attachment 1389543

That's awesome. I have always heard these things crack and then are replaced at great expense but never really understood where they cracked.

How the hell did you get the torch, a bit of welding rod, and your eyeballs down in there to close up the cracks?

cj222 · Jun 18, 2024

lenmann said:
That's awesome. I have always heard these things crack and then are replaced at great expense but never really understood where they cracked.

How the hell did you get the torch, a bit of welding rod, and your eyeballs down in there to close up the cracks?

Yeah I have repaired a few of these before for people. Some I have had to do a bit of surgery on to get to the leaks and then put them back together but saved the customer a lot of money.

Haha it was tricky but I managed to get it done

cj222 · Jul 12, 2024

Been busy with work and haven't had any time to put into this project other than drill two holes in my cav plates for the -16 water pickup. I have been collecting stuff in the mean time towards the trailer side of this project.

Backlash · Jul 13, 2024

One of the best looking trailer wheels!!

cj222 · Jul 13, 2024

Backlash said:
One of the best looking trailer wheels!!

I agree. These are 17x8 -11 offset, 4" back spacing so it has a deeper look

cj222 · Jul 18, 2024

Got the Howard aired out today, stuck the rudder in it and set it on a shop dolly. Will be working on a triple axle trailer setup for it soon.

cj222 · Jul 19, 2024

One more piece to this puzzle. Made a long steering shaft that I'll cut down to length when that time comes. My thread die kinda buggered up a thread but the nut threads on no problem. I think I'm going to go with the sprocket, chain, and cable setup. I have most of the pulley setup that came in a box of parts when I bought this boat.

BamBam · Jul 20, 2024

Cable, chain and sprocket is a very safe and reliable steering setup. Simple and sounds like you have the parts already to save on the cost.

cj222 · Jul 20, 2024

BamBam said:
Cable, chain and sprocket is a very safe and reliable steering setup. Simple and sounds like you have the parts already to save on the cost.

I have been looking at different setups trying to figure out which one I want to go with. I decided to go this route. I liked the steering setup in that Hallett Vector I built a trailer for and it was done this way as well. And yes saving on the cost is a big plus lol

cj222 · Jul 20, 2024

Working on the steering post now.

cj222 · Jul 21, 2024

Mocked up. Now just need to get a steering wheel and machine the bolt pattern into the hub.

Backlash · Jul 21, 2024

cj222 said:
Mocked up. Now just need to get a steering wheel and machine the bolt pattern into the hub. View attachment 1405417 View attachment 1405418

Damn that turned out BITCHEN!

cj222 · Jul 21, 2024

Backlash said:
Damn that turned out BITCHEN!

Thank you !

Eliminator21vdrive · Jul 22, 2024

Looks great! Do you have seats to mock up? Are you building it to race or pleasure?

cj222 · Jul 22, 2024

Eliminator21vdrive said:
Looks great! Do you have seats to mock up? Are you building it to race or pleasure?

Thank you. No seats yet. I am building it for pleasure, not racing

cj222 · Jul 23, 2024

Little by little

cj222 · Jul 24, 2024

My mechanic came by to show me how it's done

Gone_Flat · Jul 26, 2024

cj222 said:
Little by little View attachment 1407052 View attachment 1407053

Oh believe me i know , basically truck is close to done for now . Time to get back on boat . Looking great matt .

mattyc · Jul 27, 2024

cj222 said:
Mocked up. Now just need to get a steering wheel and machine the bolt pattern into the hub. View attachment 1405417 View attachment 1405418

Looking great! I have a steering wheel I'll donate to the cause if it's something you like.

cj222 · Jul 27, 2024

mattyc said:
Looking great! I have a steering wheel I'll donate to the cause if it's something you like.

Thank you!
And thank you for the generous offer, I really appreciate that! I have one on order already

cj222 · Jul 28, 2024

Steering wheel came in and I got it mounted up.

cj222 · Jul 28, 2024

Sunday Funday

cj222 · Jul 30, 2024

And the trailer project begins. I took this trailer in as payment for a job I did to use as a platform for a new trailer for the Howard as the old one was haggard. This will be turned into a triple axle.

Eliminator21vdrive · Jul 30, 2024

cj222 said:
And the trailer project begins. I took this trailer in as payment for a job I did to use as a platform for a new trailer for the Howard as the old one was haggard. This will be turned into a triple axle. View attachment 1409947

Dibs on the fenders lol!

74 spectra20 v-drive · Jul 30, 2024

Transom looks beautiful!!!! Great job. Can I ask if you had your transom bearings polished and coated if so what coating? I had my clear powder coated and it’s chipping. Was looking for an alternative. Thanks.

cj222 · Jul 30, 2024

74 spectra20 v-drive said:
Transom looks beautiful!!!! Great job. Can I ask if you had your transom bearings polished and coated if so what coating? I had my clear powder coated and it’s chipping. Was looking for an alternative. Thanks.

Thank you! They are polished right now. The cav plate pads are out getting polished right now. Once those come back I will be sending both to Chrome plating.

cj222 · Jul 30, 2024

Had a small windows of time between jobs and I mean small lol so I burned the midnight oil last night and today to get this triple axle conversion as a roller. Been collecting all the parts for a couple months now and finally got it to this point and I think it is going to look killer once I set the boat on it