Quote Originally Posted by stealthdrummer View Post
I have never owned a Ford big block and am going to look at a jet boat this weekend to purchase that has a 460 in it. What should I look for? Any tell tell signs that would scream don't buy this? The boat is supposed to be original from 77. The engine does have a tunnel ram on it so i know someone has been into it at some point. Will know more Saturday.
The usual engine stuff: Compression test, plug reading, how it tuns, etc.

Walk the entire floor and look for rot. The floor will squish if it is soft. I am talking about the bottom of the boat, so if it has a sub floor be sure to look closely below it, especially at the rear bilge area. look for delamination of the fiberglass, also known as "whiting" (glass turns white when it lifts).

Test drive the boat and make sure all controls work smoothly and don;t stick or are froze up.

Good luck

Paul