Which engine?

M

mermaid

New Member
Mar 31, 2011
26
miami
Boat Info
v260 1984
Engines
350 i/0 mercruiser
So I finally launched my mermaid and had 6 glorious days in the bay before the 302 ford gave up. So now I'm wanting to repower her and wondering if the 350 mercruiser is the way to go. I saw a guy at the launch with my same boat and he had put a 454 in it and said it was great. I'm worried about the added weight and the lack of working space and also the gas! Any opinions are welcome. She is so pretty now with her teak and holly floor and cheetah upholstery that she deserves a great engine to go with. Thanks!
 
Assuming you want to retain the drive system whatever you chose would have to be compatible. If the 302 was a Mercruiser then you would have to confirm that you drive system would be compatible. If it is the a 350/300-310 HP would be a nice upgrade. I doubt a 454 would match up and even if it did it may be to potent for the drive system. Maybe you could find a Mercruiser 351 (they were based on the 302 block) and make the upgrade simpler. BTW consider fresh water cooling seeing as you are in salt water. Good luck.
 
The GM based mercruisers won't match up to the out drive system set up for a Ford 302
You can get a Marinized Ford 351 long block and pick up 30-40 HP and that is a direct swap. The block is about an inch taller due to the extra stroke of the 351.
 
I was told that I had a mercruiser out drive. Will that not line up with a 350 mercruiser? The transom shows that the out drive was changed at one time. I guess when they swapped the 260 mercruiser for the 302 ford.
 
You'll probably end up with a shaft alignment problem if you switch to a 350 Chevy. As noted above, the Ford 351 C or W will be a direct swap with the 302 since the motor mounts are the same and all the marine electrical, fuel and exhaust will swap as well.
 
So I'm thinking to replace the 302 with a 351 crate but have the Volvo 260 out drive. Not sure if then I would have to get the Volvo 270 drive to replace. Hhhmmmmm
 
I have a 1973 240 srv had a 302 merc in it 188hp with 888 merc drive motor shot got a 1975 351 w merc 233 hp cause i was told you couldnt mate a chevy with transm plate.I did have to get y pipe cause 351 is wider than 302.I cant believe merc would have differnt mounting for 2 differnt engines just seems not very cost efective when you could just change bellhousing.I found a 350 from 1980s from bellhousing mesurmnts wher it mounts to plate it looks like it should work but until its in boat who knows
 
Ok so I decided to rebuild the 302. I hope I made a good choice.
 
Wow. Such runaround and terrible shoddy work. Rebuilt the 302 at Abana in Hialeah. What a mistake. Two cylinders bad. Took it back and they were so rude. Took it to another machine shop and they wanted $2650!!!!!! To rebuild the rebuilt block. Wtf. Already paid $1400 for the ****ty rebuild. $1400 for new manifolds and risers. Ugh. New distributor. New intake manifold. New cam. Feel like I have been taken to the cleaners and back. Now I am considering trying to find a mercruiser which was original equipment. So sad and disappointed with the scammers. Does anyone know a good honest mechanic in Miami or ft lauderdale to help me repower this beautiful boat that I have spent a year and a half restoring? It is so pretty with teak and holly floors and all new dash and gauges and upholstery. I really don't know what to do anymore. HELP. :(
 
Man, sorry to hear about what happened. Your old 260 sounds so nice. Hang in there, you might find a better solution anyway.

+1 for a Jasper reman exchange.
 
Last edited:
Have decided to cut my losses and go with a mercruiser 454. Used but good. Should have enough power now. They said it will be done next Saturday! Now I'm excited!
 
mermaid said:
Have decided to cut my losses and go with a mercruiser 454. Used but good. Should have enough power now. They said it will be done next Saturday! Now I'm excited!
Click to expand...

Will that bolt in? What outdrive do you have?

LK
 
Yes it should bolt in. Have the mercruiser alpha one drive. Just had the drive worked on with new impeller and gamble bearing so it should hold up for a while but I'm thinking my future may include a bravo drive. Somehow spending money on the boat feels good. Lol
 
so you had 302 ford and you are puting in a 454 are they changing transom plate? cause i had a 302 merc withh 888 drive (pre alpha) and was told a chevy wouldnt work so i put the 351 in and i really HATE fords. let me know what they had to do
 
Well I had the 302 ford not merc with the mercruiser alpha one. The mechanic said he will change the y-pipe and I'm also opting for fresh water cooling.
 
the 302 i pulled out was a ford mercruiser or what they would call a 188 due to 188 hp also raw water cooled . I did have to change y pipe cause the 351 ford is wider
i would think transom plate would be differnt makes me wonder if i could have used a chevy. I didnt because i was told i couldnt.Post some pics if you can
 
Ok. I'll try. Been having trouble posting photos even after I made them smaller
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,183
Messages
1,428,116
Members
61,091
Latest member
dionb
Back
Top