Chrysler 318 on MC-1 outdrive, any one try it?

[chuckdodge]

I am doing an engine swap on an old truck with a 318 and would like to have a v8 in my boat. The boat is a 1969 IMP. It currently has the 160Merc in it. Has anyone here tried putting a Chrysler 318 or 360 (theyre the same for all intensive purposes) in a mercruiser set up boat? I realize the bolt pattern on the bell housing will be different but is the shape similar enough to where I could drill or somehow alter the bell housing to bolt up? will the output shaft bolt up to it? if not do you know of an output shaft that would bolt up to the engine and be compatible with the outdrive? I also realize that I will have to change prop and upper gearing and exhaust and front engine mounts and plenty of other things, Im mainly worried about getting it bolted to the outdrive.

 

[Scott Danforth]

no way to bolt the two together. plus your MC1 was most likely in front of a 2.5 liter. you will need at least a different set of gears. changing gear ratio is costly, so is winterizing the Chrysler

your best and least expensive alternative is sell your existing motor and drive. sell the 318, get a newer 350 and Alpha 1 drive

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... No, nothin' will fit,...

If ya try it, you'll be custom re-engineerin' the entire thing,....

Sell yer Chrysler, 'n buy a Chevy motor,....

 

[thumpar]

You will have a problem on the exhaust side also. It is not going to work unless you want make all the parts. In the end it would probably cost you 10X as much than to switch straight to a working setup.

 

[chuckdodge]

no way to bolt the two together. plus your MC1 was most likely in front of a 2.5 liter. you will need at least a different set of gears. changing gear ratio is costly, so is winterizing the Chrysler

your best and least expensive alternative is sell your existing motor and drive. sell the 318, get a newer 350 and Alpha 1 drive

Its infront of a 4.1 liter, or 250 for the chevy guys. I figured it probably wouldnt bolt up but I know Chrysler did make marine engines. I just wasn't sure what outdrives were put behind them. for the exhaust and such I was planning on using the old Chrysler parts, or Indmar I think also made parts for the 318 marine. Why would it cost more to winterize the Chrysler compared to winterizing a SBC?

 

[thumpar]

Chryler used their own drives for awhile a long time ago. I don't know what engines they used. The truck exhaust is not going to work.

 

[GA_Boater]

Chuck - For the amount of money you would spend to make something that was never built by Mercruiser, it would be far cheaper to find a donor with a SBC Mercruiser and swap out the 4 cylinder with the GM V8 complete setup.

Chrysler did make marine motors and they were used for inboard and V drives, which are nothing like your M/C. Also they did make IO's, but the outdrives were by Dana. If finding parts for a marine 318 or 360 is hard, try finding Dana outdrive parts.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Its infront of a 4.1 liter, or 250 for the chevy guys. I figured it probably wouldnt bolt up but I know Chrysler did make marine engines. I just wasn't sure what outdrives were put behind them. for the exhaust and such I was planning on using the old Chrysler parts, or Indmar I think also made parts for the 318 marine. Why would it cost more to winterize the Chrysler compared to winterizing a SBC?

I would put a 292 in place of the 250.

 

[Maclin]

The term should be marinizing the Chrysler. Takes a lot to do that when coming from a non-Marine environment engine then trying to mate up to a non-Chrysler Marine setup.

 

[southkogs]

I'll add - while I like Chrysler's 318 in cars and trucks (never dealt with a marine version) - that Chevy 250 is a great power plant for a boat. I've had one and really liked it. I'm sure I'll like my current rig too, but that old Chevy mill was fantastic.

 

[HT32BSX115]

I would put a 292 in place of the 250.

Even that is not as easy as just swapping the engine. While many parts are interchangeable between the 230/250/292 engines, some 292 blocks don't have mounts that will go where any 250 will go in a marine installation.

 

[Scott Danforth]

None of the 292's have the passenger side motor mount location like the 250. however there are adapter mounts out there that truss the block to make it a bolt-in

 

[HT32BSX115]

None of the 292's have the passenger side motor mount location like the 250. however there are adapter mounts out there that truss the block to make it a bolt-in

I seem to remember back in 05 I was going to have to fab my own mount to swap out my 230 for a 292. I was however going to be able to use a 230 or 250 head though. Turned out it was a better idea to just sell the boat and move on!

If I remember correctly, MC did bolt the 292 to an MCII drive though