Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

[Xesvuli420]

I am trying to find parts for my boat, it is a 1987 Dixie Bandit 170. and it has stumped the employees at Oreillys, Advance Auto, and a few mechanics I know. It is a...

OMC/Cobra
3.0L GM
4cyl
Holley 2bl Carb

I have heard rumors about my boat engine like...

It is a 2.5L GM, that has been bored and stroked from GM to serve use in Marine applications, and Forklifts.

It is a "Iron Duke"

It is from a "Chevy Vega"

It is from a "Chevy Nova"
(has a 2.5L model available but its from the late 60's, but the distributor caps DO match)

Thanks for your help guys. I am planning on doing a tune up, as well as other things, and knowing the CORRECT answer for "What engine do you have" will help alot.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

Forget trying to find the automotive equivalent - it is an industrial motor built by GM and for all practical purposes, was never used in a car. It is similar in many ways to the "Iron Duke" (a misused phrase with no real meaning) - but is not the same. It is also not to be confused with the 2.5 engine. Forget O'Reillys and get your parts from a marina or NAPA or other online sources like Iboats.

 

[Xesvuli420]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

P.S. this may help, I may have stumbled on a 3 digit code (not from actually engine, but from trying to find info online. This may or may not be correct for my boat.

181

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

It's not an Iron Duke at all. Almost as completely different as it could be.

It was a car engine back in the 1960's used in the Chevy II. But it hasn't been used in a car in 40 years.

Yes, it's used in forklifts.

Go here to learn a little about it currently:

http://www.gm.com/experience/technology/gmpowertrain/engines/specialized/marine/2010_3000 Marine.pdf

 

[Xesvuli420]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

It's not an Iron Duke at all. Almost as completely different as it could be.

It was a car engine back in the 1960's used in the Chevy II. But it hasn't been used in a car in 40 years.

Yes, it's used in forklifts.

Go here to learn a little about it currently:

http://www.gm.com/experience/technology/gmpowertrain/engines/specialized/marine/2010_3000 Marine.pdf

Actually I believe your answer is the closet to correct. I have found some matching parts on a 1968 chevy II Nova. Just was hearing alot of opinions, and you confirmed 1 of them

+1

 

[Xesvuli420]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

opps, forget the +1, this forum doesn't allow (or I cant find it) reputation points. Sorry, I tried

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

Actually I believe your answer is the closet to correct.

Ayuh,.... It Is correct, not just Close...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

Actually I believe your answer is the closet to correct. I have found some matching parts on a 1968 chevy II Nova. Just was hearing alot of opinions, and you confirmed 1 of them

+1

I learned about what the 3.0 is here on iboats, actually. Somewhere in a thread, a guy posted a picture of one in a car. It was a real eye opener.
Good luck finding parts. I will tow the line and say, I hope you are using marine parts where they are required.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

This engine family was designed for the all new 1962 Chevy II and the 153ci (2.5) was available thru 1970. The 181(3.0L) never was used in auto app in this country. And if I hear somebody call them "Iron Duke"(which was a Pontiac engine, not Chevy like these) one more time my head is gonna explode. And most counter guys at O'Reillys couldn't pour beer out of a boot if the instructions were printed on the heel. 'nutcase

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

nut; i had a 4 cyl chev and was sure it was an iron duke



BOOM

what was that noise ?



sorry kidding but couldn't resist your challenge

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

nut; i had a 4 cyl chev and was sure it was an iron duke

Sure, in the 1980's when GM changed all engines to "Corporate Engines" 153cid Pontiac Iron Dukes became Tech 4s. Also the 231 Buick V6 became the 3.8. And the Olds V8 was no longer used, everything got a SBC. It's all just in a name. And they used them in every division's cars as needed.

The most OBVIOUS difference between the 2.5/3.0 marine/industrial engine and an Iron Duke, or any other of GMs 4 cylinders (1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 etc) is that the Exhaust and Intake ports are the same side of the head on the 2.5/3.0 engine. That is what made it difficult to develop F.I. for them and to catalize the exhaust. But it's been done.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

So...What was the parts that the OP was looking for?

These kids that work at auto parts stores could not find their arse with both hands,let alone anything marine engine related..

 

[JustJason]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

I love the napa I go to. I worked there from ages 16 to 18. It was 1 of my first jobs and I left on good terms. I'm now 32, its still the same owner, still the same parts countermen. Still a couple of the same drivers.
When I walk in, I walk behind the counter, look up my own parts, walk down the back store room, pull my own parts. I do everything except for ring myself up..... And I still get cost plus 10 after all these years

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

Thats a good deal Jason..
The Napa where i used to live was great.The new store near me now has the worst people i ever seen....still better than Autozone or Orielly's

 

[JustJason]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

I've been to other napa's here and there when i'm on the road and need something. And yes, the people can certainly be hit or miss. I know how the books work though so if i get a knucklehead behind the counter i'll just ask for "XYZ" book and look it up myself.

 

[Xesvuli420]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

This engine family was designed for the all new 1962 Chevy II and the 153ci (2.5) was available thru 1970. The 181(3.0L) never was used in auto app in this country. And if I hear somebody call them "Iron Duke"(which was a Pontiac engine, not Chevy like these) one more time my head is gonna explode. And most counter guys at O'Reillys couldn't pour beer out of a boot if the instructions were printed on the heel. 'nutcase

HAHAHA OMG i think i even pee'd a little

 

[T-Bone Coug]

Re: Help identifying my Engine PLEASE

Xesvuli420:

If all you need is points/condensor/cap/rotor/plugs/wires, wisest thing is to go to Napa and get the Sierra marine parts. Some of the old 60's chevs had similar, but not all parts were identical. Marine components are designed for wet environments. Some automotive components are also, but not all. Sierra parts are cheap insurance, and Napa sells them.