302 marine conversion

[haulnazz15]

Re: 302 marine conversion

The heads have apparently been replaced at some point. Those are GT40 (non-P) heads, common on most 90's trucks/SUV's. They are a good match for a boat because they are normally good for torque. For what you're doing, the heads are perfectly fine as compared to the stock 302 heads. Did you ever check the S/N on the engine block? You might have a modern-302 in there that replaced the original 302. In that case, all the better. There's not much difference aside from firing order (351-style) and a one-piece rear main seal (better).

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

The heads have apparently been replaced at some point. Those are GT40 (non-P) heads, common on most 90's trucks/SUV's. They are a good match for a boat because they are normally good for torque. For what you're doing, the heads are perfectly fine as compared to the stock 302 heads. Did you ever check the S/N on the engine block? You might have a modern-302 in there that replaced the original 302. In that case, all the better. There's not much difference aside from firing order (351-style) and a one-piece rear main seal (better).

It's become frankenmotor.... '70 block, gt40 heads, 2 piece main, '69 Stang intake, 351w firing order.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 302 marine conversion

It's become frankenmotor.... '70 block, gt40 heads, 2 piece main, '69 Stang intake, 351w firing order.

Lol, well the good thing about the SBF/SBC motors is that you can do that fairly easily. Not a lot of changes throughout the years that makes major components incompatible.

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Dad must have been bored today, sent me a pick of what he was up to. Might as well stay with the mercruiser theme:rockon:

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Looking good!

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Looking good!

Thanks Brett. Should have final assembly done in time for the warm weather.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Dad must have been bored today, sent me a pick of what he was up to. Might as well stay with the mercruiser theme:rockon:

So much for sticking with the Ford-blue on the intake, lol.

It looks familiar anyhow (I taped off the Badges on the valve covers and painted them a matte black to match my new exhaust manifolds:

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Sweet

 

[harleyman1975]

Re: 302 marine conversion

From one 888 guy to another...lookin good Billy Ray!

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Progress report: got a bit of time today to get the rocker arms torqued down (20ftlbs). Intake, carb, thermostat housing, distributor, timing cover, water pump, harmonic balancer, and oil pan installed. One more shop session, and it will be time for first flash up! I'm really happy I spent the couple extra $$$ on good victor reinz gaskets. I found that the intake had to be torqued multiple times to get to 25ftlbs, and I'm sure it will take some more when the engine gets to operating temperature. Hopefully this is normal.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Before your first firing I would use a old dist to prime the motor using the engines oil pump. This will prevent a dry start untill the oil get flowing. Take a old dist, remove the cam drive, insert in oil pump and use a drill .During priming rotate engie by hand a few revolutions.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Any reason you decided to use studs for the exhaust manifolds vs bolts? Just make sure you can pull the manifold off when the engine is mounted in the boat, or else it will require yanking the engine in the future.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Before your first firing I would use a old dist to prime the motor using the engines oil pump. This will prevent a dry start untill the oil get flowing. Take a old dist, remove the cam drive, insert in oil pump and use a drill .During priming rotate engie by hand a few revolutions.

Most auto parts stores have the free tool rental program where he can get the oil priming tool and attach to the drill. Just remember that the Ford dizzy spins opposite of the GM dizzy.

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Before your first firing I would use a old dist to prime the motor using the engines oil pump. This will prevent a dry start untill the oil get flowing. Take a old dist, remove the cam drive, insert in oil pump and use a drill .During priming rotate engie by hand a few revolutions.

I heard a fellow mention that trick at work, I'll have to rig it up. Thanks for the input.

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Any reason you decided to use studs for the exhaust manifolds vs bolts? Just make sure you can pull the manifold off when the engine is mounted in the boat, or else it will require yanking the engine in the future.

I went with studs cause that's what came off. I never thought about substituting bolts. They came off pretty easy with liquid wrench so I'll give it a whirl.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 302 marine conversion

I went with studs cause that's what came off. I never thought about substituting bolts. They came off pretty easy with liquid wrench so I'll give it a whirl.

If there is ample clearance to remove the manifolds in the boat, the studs are usually preferred in most cases, but if clearances are tight in the bilge area, sometimes using bolts is the difference in having to pull the engine and not. Just thought I'd mention it for consideration. :thumb:

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Oil pump priming tool! Thank you local junk yard.

 

[Kernallklink]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Pulled a late one last night in the shop (1am). the crew has been cutting into my shop time lately so I had to wait until they were all asleep before going to work. It was worth it, Ready to take off of the stand, just in time for the warm weather. The only trouble that I ran into was having to tap new holes on the manifolds and risers to drain water, and dad lost the bolt to mount the alternator The threads on the old ones were completely gone. $50 tap & die set came in pretty handy on this build. I'll video the first start up and post it sometime next week.

 

[harleyman1975]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Whoo Hoo caint wait!

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: 302 marine conversion

Looking good. Priming the oil is a good idea; however, if you used a good assembly lube, it's not necessary. Can't wait to see the boat cruising!

~Brett