Vintage 70's Big Block Jet Boat REVIVAL! - Engine Full of WATER 

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Aww, heck! Kevin found a way to avoid doing brakes for once!

The square body hooked up to the 70’s model jetboat is such a vibe

I remember seeing so many of these 70’s jet boats on the lake every summer when I was a little boy in the 80’s. I always thought they were the epitome of cool especially with the big chrome Bassett headers sticking out the back. Then slowly the ugly ski boats took over as these nostalgic jet boats faded away. Summer’s were never the same again. Thank you for reviving one of these sexy boats from yesteryear.

"I don't know anything about boats, and Angus doesn't know anything about self-restraint" Perhaps my favourite quote ever on this channel. 🤣🤣

That jet looks like something the main character would drive in the opening of a 70’s spy/action tv show

I remember those. Not much for fishing, or skiing, or a relaxing trip with friends, and not popular with quiet boaters, but they converted 20 gallons of gas into noise faster and better than anything else.

Did you ever give Dave a call back with how the boat is running? If so, hope is very happy hearing his grandfathers boat running.

This was one of the best junkyard digs episodes ever made. AWESOME JOB guys

Maybe not the fastest boat on the lake, but definitely the best sounding one🤘🏽so violent

The transmission in that camper was a TH-425. It's a TH-400 with a 180 degree chain drive to make it point forward and then the center section of a rearend bolted to the output. The front suspension that goes with those transmissions is very similar to old GM 4x4 front torsion bar suspension. Those transmissions were used from '66 to '78 in the Toronado and the Eldorado.

Man these things were hugely popular in the 70's. Seems like many of them had 455 Olds engines in them.

Not sure if you ever come back and read comments on these older videos you have put out, but this video reminds me of a story I would like to share. About 30 years ago when I lived in Dallas, my neighbor across the street was kind of a strange character. I came home one day to find him out in front of his house looking at a jet boat just like the one in this video that he bought and drug back home. Had the exact same set up with a 455 in it. Same exact problem. Milk shake oil. He bought the boat for like $500 and hoped I could help him put a new engine in it. Luckily for him I had a good mechanical background and agreed to help. So he goes out and buys a long block crate engine for it. I think he paid about $900 for it. Again, this was about 30 years ago. So we remove and replace the engine, and one of the things I remember was having problems with initial start up. I recheck the firing order 3 or 4 times and kept scratching my head. Then I pull the distributor cap off and have him tap the key. DANG it I forgot these engines turn their rotors backwards as compared to Chevy's which is what I am more used to work on. So I fix the wires and bam it fires right up. So off to the lake we go. As soon as we back the boat into the water, I am getting worried. The wind is blowing like crazy (like it always does in TX) and waves start to crash over the stern which is only about 4 inches out of the water. Of course they don't have reverse and they are always in gear when the motor is running, so we finally get it turned around with a paddle, fire it up, and off we go. That thing ran great!!! We had fun playing with the trim and shooting a rooster tail 50 feet in the air. Ran it for about 30-40 minutes and then headed back to the dock. Got it back on the trailer and pulled it out. Checked the oil. Milkshake again!!! We were like DAMN that SUCKS!!! At that point, I figured it had a cracked intake manifold since that was the only thing we reused off of the other motor, but my neighbor was done with it. We got it back home and it sat for about 4 or 5 months and then he sold it. He showed the guy who bought it the water in the oil and told him the whole story. I think he still got about $1,500 out of it so he didn't lose any money just our time and lots of aggravation. I am hoping the guy that bought it was able to fix whatever was leaking (might have just been the intake gasket I don't know). This video brought back a lot of memories. Not all of them good but not all of them bad either. LOL!!!!!

I have to admit Angus is getting better on camera. Excellent video today got the boat haulin ass. Many big buckets to you. One of the best videos you've done in quite some time🤣👍🇺🇸🍺

For a second I though you were gonna get the RV running and drive the front end around. 😂😂

That is legitimately the most American sight that I have seen in many moons. It's a boat, with little to no purpose on the planet earth, making high speed laps around a large body of water, all the while making what I consider to be an obscene amount of noise. In short, good work guys!

This must have been so much fun doing. Angus is a perfect co-host!

I had read that they used the Toronado engine/transmission power pack in RVs, but had no idea they made them front-wheel drive too. Would have been hilarious to watch you drive around the front half of the camper before taking the engine out. Thanks for the great video!

The part you are referring to as a windage tray is actually a valley pan, you'll find a windage tray in the base of the engine under the crankshaft if so equipped.

That moment you realise Kevin missed the opportunity to drive the front half of a front wheel drive camper around a field!

The RV was pretty sweet for free it's better than a tent . Very entertaining videos thank you we look forward to watching them. Awesome positive entertainment.

Nothing like watching jyd at midnight while at work in the uk and been impressed with how smooth Kevin pulled off the raycon sponsorship

BOP engines are underappreciated gems of their time. Its amazing how well that thing runs, given the amount of water in the oil and gas (at the beginning). The real question is, what to do with that spare 455.......

I’m surprised at just how quiet the boat is

Pulling the engine out of the camper and Jessie steering it has got to be most funniest thing I've ever seen 😂

I really Really REALLY hoped Angus was going to pull the boat out with the snowmobile 🤣👌. great update 2x👍

I'm so so confused watching the exhaust blowing water out that looks insane to me lol...who thought of that? Have to add that motor is pretty amazing with all the years of water in the oil still running like a champ you have to be impressed. As mechanically inclined as I think I am I learn something new every episode you put out.

Being a little on the old side, I remember a tourist promo film about New Zealand where they took jet boats up rivers and skidded over sandbank as no prop. Such a lovely boat and a fantastic engine. Awesome episode!

A Whacker in jean cutoffs and sandals manhandling a snow mobile was not something I expected to see today... That boat is a beast! Thanks for the episode.

notification squad, Have a nice weekend!🔥🔥🔥

That boat looks perfect being when it’s being towed by the square body

I am having the same issue with 70s era jet /olds 455 setup. This is exactly what I’m going to do to get me back out on the water! Thank you JYD!!!

Sweet jet boat recycling. That oil 🤔 er milk shake was incredible , ive never seen any that bad. Great come back...

Oldsmobile engines are actually pretty scarce these days, a few months ago a buddy of mine needed a "small block" or "short deck" olds engine, we really wanted a 403 or atleast a 350. For weeks the only engine he could find that was in running condition was a 455 but I said no way, it would have been too much to swap into the car because the car was set up for a short deck engine because it had a 350 olds in it ( the accessory brackets and the exhaust was the main reason why we needed a low deck engine) so he kept calling around and after we gave up for a bit the junkyard got in a wrecked car that had a low mileage roller cam 307 engine, I was not thrilled about it but it was very clean and after we put it in, it actually ran way better than I ever thought, it was super quiet and smooth and felt just as strong as the wore out 350 we took out. So in my opinion if you ever need an olds engine that is reliable and will get you down the road, try to find an 86-90 roller cam 307.

I did indeed learn something from watching this video... I learned I have no self control and immediately started scouring marketplace for old big block jet boats... heading to ohio, brb... and if my wife is reading this... I'm definitely not picking up a project jet boat in ohio... its... a gift... for someone else.

I appreciate how you are always mixing it up on this channel and unafraid to tackle something different.

Absolutely LOVE the boating content. This video and the free boat that was hooked to the truck that you worked on with Vicegrip garage was awesome as well. Not a lot of boat revival content on RU-vid, Keep up the fantastic work you guys!

Love today's, Jet boat, content. But what I actually Love the MOST..... The Brown Chevy Truck. The Truck that actually towed the Jet Boat around. Nice to see a Chevy truck! I know that Mook is working on a F250 but I would love to see her work on the 73 Chevy Nova. I use to have one. Put in posy trac/sure traction in the Nova.

That 70's square body and the 70's jet boat make a perfect couple.

Best video from Junkyard Digs. There IS hope for the next generation. Cheers...

That's a damn good looking square body!!!! Sounds good too.

Enjoyed every minute of this. Love the long videos! Thanks to all of you in the JYD Family. Can't wait for the next farming video!

Well done all, amazing what actually looking at the engine can reveal, and with proper repairs you've got a great boat. It seems a far cheaper option than wasting oil. Congratulations and happy boating.

Awesome job, guys....grew up late 70's on the north shore of Long Island...that boat rocks! But not as much as Angus's square-body! Hugs to y'all...keep up the good work

Hey Kevin love your videos really got me into old vehicles and soon I hopefully will start doing revivals of my own :)

That revival looked like a lot more fun than getting mouse poop blown all over you from the vents of a car or truck that had been sitting 20 years. 😁

What a great revival!!! What a blast you're having at the End!! Job well done!!

I usually read some comments while I'm watching and I gotta say it is awesome that this many folks have the knowledge that can truly be helpful. I applaud every one of you legends. 👏🏾 thank you for helping Kevin in the background. I mean, heck, some of the info we bring up might help make the next episode possible. Kevin and Mook, love you guys. Your brother from as deep south as it gets- T. 🤙🏾

Glad to see you got that big block classic back on the water and performing as it was designed to perform. Hope you have many happy years of boating ahead. Great revival!!!

Kev looks like he is tired and i love the fact it looks like he had a few canned wobbles

You can definitely reuse old head bolts. Worked at an engine shop where it's commonplace to use vintage headbolts. Modern aluminum headbolts are the ones that stretch worse..

Sickest revival in a while. Love those old boats! MORE!

Been watching this channel since Covid started and it keeps getting better .

In this episode, Kevin sends a batsignal which draws the attention of Mike Finnegan with the utterance of the words "jetboat" and "big block Olds".......

Sweet Vintage Jet boat! it sounds sick & FAST!

Dude!!!! That camper was awesome!!!! You're lucky we got to see Angus run. 😂

That was really a fun episode! I’ve always loved those old jet boats!!

Who else feels sorry for the Tiara? The truck/boat combo is perfect though.

Kevin I love watching all of your videos and seeing you interact with your friends. I’m born and raised in Iowa so I love seeing all the Iowa businesses succeed.

THIS IS BETTER EPISODE THAN YOU MIGHT THINK, 100% recommend the drama is real

It’s like Kevin reads our minds and knows exactly what would make the best content!

Great video and really fun to watch now with all the sand in that motor and being as old as it is you will probably need a new impeller that will probably give you a lot more speed.

Awesome renovation of an old time speedboat thank you for the insight on the big block motor that will help and one of my next build. Thank you very much and awesome awesome build thank you Burke Johnson.

Awesome video I enjoyed watching it with my dad. I hope Scott sees the video of the boat running across the lake.

Keep that trans and axles for a big block corvair! 😊

Great video! Great content! That thing really flies, good job on getting the original engine sealed up and running right!

Had one dem boys. A Hallett with the 455 & Jacuzzi pump. My biggest regret was putting on those pipes. The noise drove me and everyone else crazy. Second mistake was blue printing the pump. The motor couldn't handle it and I spun a bearing. Bought the boat new $5200 trailer and all. Best money I spent was on a boat cover. The gel coat looked new for many years.

Fantastic episode. Makes me wanna find an old California jet boat now. Lol. Would love to watch you guys take a buffer to that boat in a future episode to see the gelcoat pop once again!

Great content, really enjoyed the journey! First time I have seen a boat that wasn’t a money pit.

Loved this video. What an awesome boat ready for some pure water play. Great job you all.

One of the best videos you’ve done. Love the storytelling.

I'm very disappointed that you didn't throw 3 plug leads & a boat tank at that camper front end, & then drive it round your field for a bit to test the engine...

Probably one of my favorite videos on the channel since I can see what’s happening with the engine a little better

Great job guys. All this video needs is more Mook!

I think you guys trying to help put old vehicles back on the road or water is great! My family has so many cars that need to be restored to run again but my parents are elderly and I have nerve damage making it hard to get it all done plus i am inexperienced. Some day I will eventually get all of the cars back on the road but it will take me years. Keep up the good work guys!

A new impeller would probably add a few MPH but would probably double the cost of the boat as well. Great video! I want a jet boat and buckets now. :(

Notification Squad!! You guys always make my day when you upload. This video will definitely be interesting probably with a bunch of calamity and shenanigans as usual.

That is BEAUTIFUL and sounds EVEN BETTER! Well done guys! (buckets)

Boat looks cool, great find, hope you get a lot of fun out of it, all the best to yous and your loved ones

Any updates on the corn?

I had a 1976 19' NorCal with a big block 455. Even after heads and a Demon carb it was still a giant turd. It sure looked and sounded the part tho.

Nice boat now. I wish we lived close to water like ya'lls. Good job gentlemen.

This thing is crazy!! The noise!!! Totally of an era, but well done for saving it and bringing it back.

I wonder if Scott (I believe) would like to get his grandpa’s boat back?Hopefully you let him know that you got it running again.

Been looking forward to this video since the first photos on IG! Warning Flatland Fools on the water!

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the Bronco in the background! Sweet boat, sweet motor! Great video as always!

What a beautiful boat, love it!

That set up would have been great to put the big block in the back of a corvair. 😥

59:19 Your credit card is there in plain site.

Thank you 👍 really enjoyed this project

Nothing like ruining the suspense of a video by showing it in the water and running right at the start of the video...

Oh look!!! It’s a boat… when you start doing boat revivals you know your out of ideas for the moment…

With a boat that has water in the oil, I have found that draining it, filling with diesel fuel, running it for a short while, rinse and repeat a few times. The diesel soaks up the water, still provides some lubrication.

you KNOW Cleetus will buy that thing in a heartbeat from you guys!!!!

Nice to see something a lil different in the ol junkyard! It seems a lot of old jet boats have the infamous olds 455! Cool content Kevin!!!

This is one of the most American videos on RU-vid n that Kevin has done you got 2 guys working on a vintage jet boat getting it back on the water acholic beverages a bald eagle n the ruthless roofer's lol GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

Great video guys. Really liking Angus as a part of the videos (I've been away for a while) but man, him calling it an "oil gallery" drove me crazy lol

Love the fact you guys were in my back yard. Good video, sad I wasn't there at the time.

its great how both of the older guys at 54 mins had big ol smiles

That boat is so rad! Especially behind that c-10!