1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

[tigershark95]

Hi,

new to boats, but have worked on cars for a long time.
my boat i just bought has a 350 chevy, say 230 hp on valve cover.
my question is:
can i use aluminum heads and intake manifold on this motor.
if so, what percautions do i need to be aware of.
if believe it has a stringer 400 or 800 outdrive. it has a big black gasket around the hull.
thanks for your help.

 

[Coors]

Re: 1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

aluminum and salt/brackish water cause problems. Is these a marine engine?

 

[tigershark95]

Re: 1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

it is a 350 marine engine,
i will only use the boat in fresh water
lakes.

 

[JCF350]

Re: 1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

Not a good drive for performance use. Keep the engine stock.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

my boat i just bought has i believe it has a stringer 400 or 800 outdrive. it has a big black gasket around the hull.

Ayuh,.....

You've just bought a boat with the Worst Possible Drive to even consider Hot Rodding it.......

There Ain't No more Parts for those Stringer Drives.....

Either enjoy it as it Is,....
Or,...
Better Yet,..... Sell it while it's Still running.........

 

[tigershark95]

Re: 1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

well, thanks for the info, i guess,

any way to convert to a better outdrive?

 

[JCF350]

Re: 1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

Your gonna have to replace the transom ideally. Whether the hull is worth it is up to you.

Plenty used parts/whole drives, whole boats out there. Think clutch coils. Shape of lower unit not conducive to speed either. People to work on it are getting thin in numbers also.

At the time they were made they were decent units (given the above limitations) only thing better was Volvo. Merc didn't know what saltwater was at the time (always been around saltwater so that colors my opinion). there were other larger drives available then too but they were to big for really for boats on trailers.

 

[tigershark95]

Re: 1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

thanks for all the advice.

the boat runs and performs very well and i only paid 800.00 for
so i guess i use it till it dies.

 

[JCF350]

Re: 1981 chevy 350/omc outdrive

That's the ticket!!!

WELCOME TO BOATING!!!!!

AND iboats!!