351 Ford Questions

[captainmas]

Hello,
Maybe you can help me. I just purchased a 1976 28' Bertram flybridge w a pair of Ford 351 233 hp Mercruisers Motors, Model R 233 Ser# 4338077 and Model L 233 Ser #4337968. We are in the middle of restoring it.

We pulled the starters without marking which sides they came from.

First question: Is which motor is counter rotating, Left / Port or Right / Starboard ? I'm leaning to the Left / Port.

Second dumb thing is we pulled the Distubutors to prime the oil pump w/o marking the Distubutor position or wire placement.

Second Question: is what is the firing order of both motors and wire location on cap ?

Last questions: What are the specs, point dwell, timing degrees, plug gaps. And were can I get a manuel or web site for the motors/gear box/ boat it self?

I know I need a new mechanic, any help would be great.

Thanks,
Mike Mas

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Mike Welcome to I boats, where are you from?
I love Bertram boats, looking for one to restore, I think you need a bump here.

Go up to adults only sticky in the Mercruiser forum lots of info, I found a link for your engine manual there
http://www.4shared.com/file/116480357/2650579f/mercuiser2_73-79.html


The only Q I can answer for sure is The tdc one.
Find #1 cyl take out the plug. Put your finger over the hole. Crank the motor.
Tdc you will feel the "pop" Turn motor over 360 degrees look for timing mark on flywheel. turn dist and line up rotor with # 1 plugwire.

Good luck !
Rob

 

[mkast]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Look in the adult's only thread for the Mercruiser manual.

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Thanks for the reply's.

To answer the first Q, we are in NJ and whats a Bump? We've been looking for ether a Blackfin or a Bert for some time, in the 30' range to add to our charter business. This one as been layed up for four years locally, started at $16,000.00 back than, but sorry to say, it's the sign of the times, offered the guy $3,000.00 and he took it, felt bad , but not that bad. Nows the time to find the deals.

I have the starters out and I know from the rebuilder which is the counter rotating starter, just don't know which motor it came from. So I really can't spin them to ck the prop rotation, thats why I was hoping that someone knew if it's the port or starboard thats the counter rotating one.

Thanks Again,
Mike

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Bubba,
Is the firing order on the intake manafold? That may be the best way of confirming which is which, correct?

Based on your reply the counter rotating starter will go on the right hand rotation 18456273 firing order motor, let me know if I'm correct.

Thanks for your help,
Mike

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Sometimes in hind sight I know I asked a stupid question.
Thanks for the answers...
Mike

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

captainmas whats a Bump

A bump gets your thread to the top of the heap!

This one as been layed up for four years locally, started at $16,000.00 back than, but sorry to say, it's the sign of the times, offered the guy $3,000.00

Wow! Good on ya.

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Point Pleasant?...
Barnegat Light?...
The props will tell you & you should be able to look at the ditstributor wires to determine it....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Does this have I/O`s or a regular transmission. I/O`s did not use counter rotating motors, If you have transmissions the you need to know how the starter is mounted. engine mounted standard motor uses a standard starter, bellhousing mounted standard starter is used on the counter rotating engine and a reverse rotation starter is used on the standard motor.

 

[jtybt]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Kinda in the vein as what the boat dr said. Some trannys do the job of reversing the prop direction and both engines turn the same.

Of course if you have two opposite rotating starters, you have opposite rotating engines.

 

[jimbo3123]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Spark Plugs AC-MR43T Gap at .035
Idel Speed 500-600 RPM
Point Gap - .019 Dwell - .25 to .28
Timing 6 degress BTDC
.

I'm not so sure about these numbers. The Mercruiser manual (#2) for my 233(Ford 351W) calls for:

Spark Plugs AC-MR43T Gap at .030
Idle Speed 650-700 RPM (some of the earlier ones called for a lower RPM, but the later serial numbers (4173768 and above) call for 650-700.
Point Gap - .016-.021 Dwell - .26 to .31
Timing 10 degress BTDC

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Barnegat Light...

The left/port engine is the counter rotating one, which turns freely. But the right/starboard is sezed.

Looks like will go for long block rebuilds any suggestions of who to purchase off of on line?

Thanks for the help this week I'll start posting the restore if theres an interest?

Thanks
Mike Mas

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Thanks for the help this week I'll start posting the restore if theres an interest?

Definitely!
If you do make sure you put it in the restoration forum unless it has to do with the engine. I used to have a sbf 302 in my boat, fyi the volvo I have now fit in the same hole as the alpha one. I get great fuel economy and now I can concentrate on fishing! it's like having a different boat.

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Just an update for those interested in our restore:

1976' Bertram 28; Sportfish w tower, purchased for 3000.00

Decided to rebuild both motors, port spins, starboard sezied with a blown head gasket.

Ready to pull both on Monday to bring to the rebuilder $3875.00 for the pair was part of the budget anyway.

Rebuild two 650 AFB Carters and starters and Alt for 875.00

Fiberglass tankes are cut out , welder sizing for a new Alum 225 gal tank now. 2000.00

Found a complete 2007 Raymarine c 80 System w Radar Complete on e bay 2500.00 and a set of 4 year old black and gold 19' Lee Outriggers with perko mounts 500.00

Total so far: $12,750.00 and counting plus labour of love.

Capt Mike Mas

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Picture of her before someone clipped the old riggers.

 

[legoman67]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

generally the port engine will be standard rotation.

lol, i was in the same boat, except both engines were sitting on the ground, and i had to figure out which to put on whic side

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

Nice boat!

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions

I would be in the same boat, if not for the help here from you guys....

Thanks

 

[captainmas]

Re: 351 Ford Questions / 1976 Bertram New Q

Re: 351 Ford Questions / 1976 Bertram New Q

Now that the motors are being rebuild any recommendtions on the gear box's, fluid clean, not burnt, no problems as far as anybody knows. Leave them alone or is there a service to be done?

Also repacking the shafts / rudders any recommendtions and is there a "how to" on the site?

Have not done it since 1978 on a Jersey skiff with an inboard Grey marine, only have had outboards since.

Thanks,
Mike Mas

PS Yes this is a project boat, their all projects, some are just bigger projects. Doing this with my 2 sons, good time that can't be purchased, so the dollars are secondary.