Boat engine or car engine?

[hskerprid]

Hi everyone,
I just bought a 1972 Glastron with a 302 ( badged with Volvo-Penta valve covers) but I believe it's a ford. It has the 270 Volvo/Penta drive. I got the boat for a song because it had a popped freeze plug. I had my fingers crossed that the block was ok.
I cranked it up with the water muffs on and water and oil began to gush from the dip stick tube :facepalm:. Time to look for a block. I have heard that they used 351 heads on the 302's then. My questions:

1. Do I use marine or car block?
2. I would probably buy a short block and rebuild the heads. Anyone know a reputable supplier?
3. Should I replace the old cast iron risers or keep it old school?
4. Once the drive is off can I rebuild the drive myself or should I have a shop do it?

I've rebuilt muscle cars but never a boat any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

 

[jvigier]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

I can't answer #2 without knowing where you live.

1. Stick to Marine, when you factor in corrosion, the little extra money you spend now will pay for itself later.
3. Check the risers for cracks, corrosion around the entry points and bolt holes, at the very least replace the gaskets
4. I have worked on cars ever since I could spell my name. If you have never been shown by someone the proper way to rebuild/repair an outdrive, I would not mess with it and take it to a reputable shop.

How is the rest of the boat? (decking particularly for that age)

 

[hskerprid]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

Thanks for the reply, I live in Manhattan, Kansas and there isn't alot of boat supply stores around. Can I replace U-Joints in the drive w/o going too in depth? The floor is rock solid. The bow seats need re-upholstered and some of the dash esthetics need adressed but overall it's a pretty solid boat.
The thing besides the engine that worries me is the transom. About 12" from the edge of the drive housing is the U bolt for the trailer tie down. Someone put too much torque on it at sometime and pulled it over causing a gap and allowing water to rot the wood around the bolt.
The transom is solid going outward from the drive edge for about 8" on that side. The other side is solid. I'm hoping that maybe I can rebuild the engine for now and in a couple of years have the transom problem corrected. I paid $250.00 for the whole package so I still don't think I did too bad.
Any idea on what it costs too have a transom replaced?

I appreciate the help!

 

[Ray W W iii]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

I used to live in Concordia, Ks and boat on Milford Lake ther used to be a good marine shop in Junction City i'm trying to find the name for you they were really fair to me. You might have to drive to Salina, Ks. if there not still there

 

[hskerprid]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

I used to live in Concordia, Ks and boat on Milford Lake ther used to be a good marine shop in Junction City i'm trying to find the name for you they were really fair to me. You might have to drive to Salina, Ks. if there not still there

Could it be "Beacon Marine"? Theres also a "Randys marine shop". Milford is the lake that I want to go out on. If I can ever get this rig up and runnin:facepalm:.

 

[Ray W W iii]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

Randy's was the shop they treated me fair. I have one of those projects I got a 1981 Bayliner Monterey sunbridge for "FREE" boat looked good and was told it ran good $5000.00 later were gonna hit the water again!!! Of course it was "FREE" Milford is just great the white bass fishing there is great among other fish there the kids could catch 30 or 40 a day

 

[hskerprid]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

Randy's was the shop they treated me fair. I have one of those projects I got a 1981 Bayliner Monterey sunbridge for "FREE" boat looked good and was told it ran good $5000.00 later were gonna hit the water again!!! Of course it was "FREE" Milford is just great the white bass fishing there is great among other fish there the kids could catch 30 or 40 a day

I stopped by Randy's marine store today and an old codger behind the counter knew the previous owner. He said that the previous guy did all his own maintenance on the boat. 8 years ago he had them rebuild the drive unit. When I asked him what he thought about me rebuilding the engine and restoring the boat he laughed.
He said " If you put $1,500 into it you will still only have a boat worth a $1,000. I've thrown away better boats!!" I told him that the floor was still solid and the transom had a small soft spot. He shrugged and said "old boat, whadya expect?"
He then said that it was a "log wagon and I don't mess with that old stuff anymore" I think the heat was getting to him .

Although he wasn't in the best of moods. He said that he had an old OMC 302 "outback". He said that all the bolt on stuff would match up to that block. Is this true? If I can get that OMC block on the cheap and it WILL match up. I'll tear it down and have the block magna fluxed to check for cracks.

Is an OMC block as good as a Ford block? What do you guys think??hskerprid

Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:53 pm
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[Maclin]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

Mercruiser, VolvoPenta, OMC, all used engines from Ford or GM (maybe Chrysler too), same basic engines as in cars but put together with some special attention to certain components. The 302 OMC he has was brand new from Ford at some point in it's life.

 

[White90GT]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

I'd be curious about putting an aftermarket heads, camshaft, and intake on the 302? I'm sure you'd need to stick to iron heads, but there are old heads like Windsor Jr and Windsor Srs that could bolt on and kick that little 200 hp 302 up to 350 horsepower.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

Gotta watch it with mods like "bigger" cam, big-flow heads and such... boat engines are cammed more like RV's for low to midrange up to 5,000 rpm range. Raising the power band up any higher will affect the low end and the boat will not be much fun when loaded up.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

I'd be curious about putting an aftermarket heads, camshaft, and intake on the 302? I'm sure you'd need to stick to iron heads, but there are old heads like Windsor Jr and Windsor Srs that could bolt on and kick that little 200 hp 302 up to 350 horsepower.

Not going to be able to build a 350 hp 302 that will work well in a marine environment. Those heads are going to want a more aggressive cam, and higher RPM's to make any difference, which are 2 things that are not desirable for a marine engine. Probably would see an improvement in performance going with Ford GT40/GT40P factory iron heads (think late 90's explorer/mountaineer 5.0L).

 

[White90GT]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

Not going to be able to build a 350 hp 302 that will work well in a marine environment. Those heads are going to want a more aggressive cam, and higher RPM's to make any difference, which are 2 things that are not desirable for a marine engine. Probably would see an improvement in performance going with Ford GT40/GT40P factory iron heads (think late 90's explorer/mountaineer 5.0L).

Eh, stroke it out to a 331ci setup and 9:1 compression so it can still run on pump gas.

 

[hskerprid]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

Well, He's not going to sell the OMC now. I found some other 302 blocks. Have the 302 blocks changed from 1972? Theres a couple from the 80's one from a 89 mustang. Will these work with the heads that are on my 72? I don't want to pick one up and have it be too long or something else.

 

[rogerdb3]

Re: Boat engine or car engine?

Rebuild a long block ford 302. Put a high volume oil pump in it. Put brass frost plugs in it. Keep it as stock as possible and it will run for ever for you. I did it with a Chev 229 20 years ago and the motor is still running like a baby for the present owner! No idea how many hours are on it now.