engine swap, please help!!!!!!!!

[woody82270]

okay, I have a 1980 slickcraft with a seized omc 260 5.7 liter motor. i have a good strong running 350 chevy motor from a el camino ready to drop in. how hard is this going to be, and how do i do it? i am very mechanicly inclined when it comes to cars, but this will be my first engine swap for a boat. the out drive is good, the motor is not rebuildable. what i need to know is what i need to do to the engine before it goes in and how to go about putting it in. any help would be appreciated.
thank you,
woody

 

[Fishermark]

Re: engine swap, please help!!!!!!!!

Welcome aboard!

First, I know little to nothing about OMC so I cannot help with pulling the engine, etc other than to suggest getting an OEM manual.

The basic engine block and internals SHOULD be fine with these exceptions:
1. Be sure to remove and use all the externals from the old engine to the new - everything electrical and fuel related.
2. Are you familiar with the engine from the ElCamino? The concern would be the cam. A marine grind is different that an automobile, although a truck or RV cam is very similar. If an aftermarket cam has been put in, the chances are good that it will not be set up ideally for marine use. Just something to check.
3. Check to make sure the core plugs (aka freeze plugs) are brass not steel.
4. The head gaskets should either be stainless steel or the newer composite gasket style (Felpro makes a nice gasket).
5. The block needs to be the same vintage - i.e. - one piece main or two piece, whatever - it should be the same as the one being removed or you will have other issues as well.

These are just some of the things to check.
Good luck with it!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: engine swap, please help!!!!!!!!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=280334

This will get you started, as posted in the link you do not need to remove the drive to remove the motor, however the drive could fall and bind the shaft i explained how to get around that problem.

Also when you do have it out my i strongly suggest you look at the coupler real close and the splines on the shaft.

If still good, grease, both real good.

 

[woody82270]

Re: engine swap, please help!!!!!!!!

Thanx guys. You said there would be other problems if boat motor was one piece main and replacement was two piece, what kind of problems would I incur if this or vice-versa was true?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: engine swap, please help!!!!!!!!

What year is the el-camino??

 

[woody82270]

Re: engine swap, please help!!!!!!!!

1982, and should i do all the external parts swap out with the engine out? what is the part number on those fel-pro composite gaskets? last but not least, I need in-expensive exhuast manifolds for that engine, existing are done, any leads?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: engine swap, please help!!!!!!!!

You have a pm.