Ford 302 reliability

[carpenterken]

I'm looking at buying and older SlickCraft (1975-76). A lot of the ones I look at have 302 ford Motors with merc Alpha 1 outdrives. How reliable where these Ford 302's ?

 

[Don S]

Re: Ford 302 reliability

I'm looking at buying and older SlickCraft (1975-76). A lot of the ones I look at have 305 ford Motors with merc Alpha 1 outdrives. How reliable where these Ford 305's ?

They are 302 engines, not 305. Chevy has a 305 so what are you really looking at?
One thing, Ford parts like manifolds, risers, couplers, shift interrupt switches, etc.along with some other accessories are becoming harder to find new and in many cases NLA,

The drive is also a One drive, not an Alpha I the Alpha I name didn't come out till the mid to late 80's

 

[gadget73]

Re: Ford 302 reliability

Ford engines aren't really any more or less reliable than anything else. Its the manifolds and whatnot that are the problem, and as mentioned, some of those parts are harder to come by. Other than that, I wouldn't have any concerns about the engine itself, its just parts availability thats a concern. Maintenence is also an important point, but thats with anything.

Easy way to tell a Chev 305 from a Ford 302 is to look for the distributor. Chevy motors have them in the back, Fords are up front.

 

[carpenterken]

Re: Ford 302 reliability

Thank you two for the reply's. The out drives I found most common where the 888 out drives. and 302 ford. Is the 888 a good out drive?

 

[Don S]

Re: Ford 302 reliability

The 888 outdrive IS a One drive. Just with a different name. Mercruiser did that back then. and was called by many names. It was the alpha style drive from 1968 to 1982. In 83, the R started, which was a "Redesigned" one drive. Then it went to the MR then to Alpha I in 86.

 

[deves3000gt]

Re: Ford 302 reliability

I dont know aobut the diff. between the two. But I wanted ot kow what kind of slickcraft are you looking at? I just a bought a sx176 and you are the frist person to talk about a slickcraft. I love mine, It has a 350gm in it.

 

[carpenterken]

Re: Ford 302 reliability

I dont know aobut the diff. between the two. But I wanted ot kow what kind of slickcraft are you looking at? I just a bought a sx176 and you are the frist person to talk about a slickcraft. I love mine, It has a 350gm in it.

The modern day Terra is made by the founder of Slickcraft. It was started in Holland Michigan. They where made as Great Lakes boats, very heavy and sturdy, also made with high quality materials.
I am looking to get a 21.5 or 23.5 with a small cutty. My cousin has a 19.5 1965 Slickcraft that is still as solid as a new boat.
In or around 1977 or 78 AMF bought them out, and the quality soon dropped.

The trouble I'm having is; a lot of them had the OMC outdrives on them, and the ones with Merc drives have the Ford motors in them. I would like have a GM motor and a merc outdrive. There are a lot of them for sale yet around the Great Lakes region.

 

[deves3000gt]

Re: Ford 302 reliability

Thanx for the info. The one i have is only 17.5 but it has the gm 350 and a merc outdrive. it is a 78' and is soild as new.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Ford 302 reliability

If taken care of, they are very reliable. I rebuilt my engine 7 years ago (previous owner overheated it trying to get it off a sandbar). I have generally only done maintenance since. Exhaust manifolds are still fairly plentiful in both log an center riser style. I haven't had any issues yet getting parts.

I believe the nomenclature is 888 (8) cylinder 1(88) HP. Outside of water pumps, I don't think my drive has been apart in 33 years. In any case, SEI makes an ideal replacement.