help? 351 ..aq280

[damstarr]

Ok first off i love this site.I just a bought a boat.1976 21ft waikiki daycruiser with no motor and a volvo aq280 outback.The owner said it had a 351 in it before.can i go to the junk yard and pick up any old 351 to get started?I have all the parts from the bell housing all the way out? i used to have a jet boat so this whole prop deal is new to me......any words for me??????

 

[captmello]

Re: help? 351 ..aq280

There are a few critical parts for the 351 that you need that are hard to find. Volvo only used the ford engines in the AQ series for two years. Here's a short list of things you'll need to to get it back together without a bunch of modification.

marine carb
marine distributer
marine starter
marine alternator
marine fuel pump
water cooled exhaust manifolds

All these parts would have to be specific to the 351 ford engine.

Other parts you need, that I don't know if you have, would be, the 'Y' pipe exhaust leading to the outdrive, the vibration damper that bolts to the flywheel, the engine would have to have the correct camshaft and needs brass core plugs.

Like I said this is the short list. I could be missing some things.

The Volvo Model name for the engine was AQ240.

If the boat is in great shape, and you enjoy a project, I would start looking for a complete marine engine, perhaps an entire boat with a complete drivetrain. Preferably a small black Chevy as parts are much more common and available.

Do you have any of the parts I mentioned above? If not I would not try to build a 351 for your boat. Sorry to sound discouraging but...

 

[damstarr]

Re: help? 351 ..aq280

So yah i do have some parts for the 351 the owner gave me.I have an intake manifold,a holley carb thats really needs to be cleaned up,the y pipe for the exhaust is still installed,i have both exhaust manifolds and risers,i have a bellhousing and the piece that goes to the flywheel then to the drive shaft to the upper of the outdrive.sorry not sure of the correct names.lol.also have the alternator and all the wiring still ther.Have two bellows...drive shaft and exhaust maybe? And a distributer from it.The last owner said it was a stock 351 and should be really easy to install new one.

 

[captmello]

Re: help? 351 ..aq280

Well now, that info makes a big difference.

Is/was this boat used in salt water? If so, the exhaust parts would most likely be shot. If not, you may have something with which to work.

How about the engine mounted raw water pump?

You'd still need a marine starter.

The piece that bolts to the flywheel is the vibration damper.

The bellows are standard 280 outdrive parts.

So, in theory, you're not too far off.

The engine you need, would have to have the correct camshaft for marine use. I'm not an expert on camshafts, most seem to think pickup truck/RV camshafts will work for marine use. You can't put hot rod/high RPM camshafts in boats because they cause water to be sucked up through the exhaust into the engine.

 

[damstarr]

Re: help? 351 ..aq280

nevr in salt water so i was told....Yah i have the water pump also

 

[captmello]

Re: help? 351 ..aq280

nevr in salt water so i was told....Yah i have the water pump also

The toughest parts to find for that engine would be the exhaust parts, IMO.
You can get an idea of their condition by examining the mating surfaces between the manifolds and the risers. If theses surfaces are nice and flat, and there is good material remaining between the water passages and the exhaust passage, they should be usable.

Can you take some pics?

 

[damstarr]

Re: help? 351 ..aq280

Yah the risers are still on the manifolds but the flang of the manifolds look good.Plus i have a family friend that is a machinist by trade i just havent gone and seen him yet.Ill try to get some pics up in a bit......

 

[captmello]

Re: help? 351 ..aq280

split the risers and manifolds, clean up the surfaces and post a pic.