Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

[erikgreen]

Well, I've been hunting for a non-cracked motor for my boat (which has some other issues due to a crash I'm fixing, see other thread) which had a Chevy 305 in it. I've been looking for a 350 long block.

BUT... I did get another boat before this one, and it did have a working ford 302 engine that I pulled out of it. I ran it before I pulled it.

Now, I'm having a heck of a time finding a cheap 350 long block.. I need a marine engine, since I'm not skilled enough to transfer a cam shaft over at this point. I can probably handle putting on fresh gaskets and bolting on the valve covers, alternator, starter, intake, etc for a long block. With directions.

I've been told the ford 302 would be a problem to put in... too much monkeying with the controls.

But, I'm staring $1400 in the face plus some work to get a 350 to put in. The controls for the chevy look almost the same as the ford, and of course the mercruiser connector is the same.

Just how much work would be involved to use the ford? It's a 302 engine from an 888 system. I'd be using the 888's mounts, outdrive, transom assembly, and I could possibly swap in the console, although it'd be messy. And of course, I'd have a bit less HP than before. But, I already have the block.

I know I could sell the ford for maybe $500, but that still leaves me short of the long block's price.

Erik

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

It is really not feasable money wise in the long run, they are not at all compatible....
You need to keep looking for a GM......​

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

I'd stick with a 305. They should be cheap and plentiful. Stretch yourself a little to learn cam swaps and freeze plug changes. IMHO it would be a whole heck of a lot less of a PITA than trying to swap brands.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Ayuh,.........

I'd Roll the Dice on a Junkyard Pickup truck motor,.....
Before I attempted to drop that 302 in there.........

Measure the Spread between the Rear Motor Mount Bolts,.........
I believe there maybe a Difference........
And,........
That's just the 1st thing that comes to mind........

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Uh, oh... that maybe means my old transom plate won't fit. I can't measure the chevy's inner plate because the "ears" are snapped off. Anyone know the spacing between the motor mount bolts on the transom plate for a 305/350 chevy?

Erik

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

30,000 posts tell you it won't work on the cheap.....
Bondo has by far the best suggestion for a cheap redo.....
I advise you to forget using that 302 in your boat, it will not work on the cheap!........​

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Well, a junkyard pickup motor will cost me $800, so that's somewhat better. I have to buy the whole motor, they don't sell just blocks and heads. I'll try calling around to see if I can get a better deal.

Can anyone list for me the items I'll need to do the work (not tools, I can rent/own those already). Here's what I know:

1) Old marine engine
2) New 350 block/heads w/pistons, internal parts
3) New gasket kit

Here's the real question - if I buy a junkyard block plus all the items I need in order to swap the cam from the old 305 and reassemble the engine, will I be close to the $1400 + gaskets for a long block anyway?

I'm still watching the local ads and craigslist for a used marine 350, but I don't have my hopes up at this point.

I'm going to measure the bell housings when I get home to find out if I need a new transom plate, or if I can use the ford one with the chevy.

Erik

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

You cannot use the Ford anything on the GM......
If you can get a good GM 350 or 305 motor from a pickup, there is no need to change the cam, it will be close enough for a marine application....
If you are raw water cooled, you will need to change the core plugs to brass.....
Everything from your broken 305 should bolt right on to a 350 or 305 GM of the same vintage.....
So, if you can get a running truck GM motor from the junkyard, you can drop it right in without tearing anything down.....​

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Cool. Sounds like a good way to go, then. I can get a truck engine from the junkyard and have a reasonable expectation it'll work for a while (this junkyard tests engines before selling them).

Why couldn't I use the ford transom plate with the chevy? The motor mount spacing on the bell housing looks the same. And I thought the MC-1 drives were the same aft of the engine coupler?

Thanks again guys,
Erik

PS: One other dumb question - can I change the core plugs without a teardown? Pull 'em out from outside and tap new ones in with a mallet or something?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Why couldn't I use the ford transom plate with the chevy?

Ayuh,....... There are a few "Will Fit All' Flywheel covers out there floating around,......
But,.......
Unless you've Got 1,......
When you hold your Chevy flywheel cover up to a Ford block,............

All the Bolt Holes,....... Disappear........

Ford doesn't use the Chevy bellhousing Bolt Pattern.........

Chevies are All the Same,........ 4cyl,.... 6cyl,..... SBC, or BBC,..... All the Same..........

Fords are,..... Well,....... Fords..................
They've used Several Bolt Patterns,......... It depends on which Foundry cast it.......

can I change the core plugs without a teardown? Pull 'em out from outside and tap new ones in with a mallet or something?

Ayuh,.............
They're All accessible from Outside the Block...............

Knock the old 1s In,+ Twist'm Out with Vise-Grips........
Then find a suitably sized socket to Drive them back In place.......
Coating the edges with sealant is also a Good Idea...........

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Ah, ok, I'm not being clear.

I'm going to use the chevy flywheel cover. I have two flywheel covers, one on the ford that came with it, and one on the chevy 305 that's cracked. I'll use the one from the chevy.

But, the part of the transom assembly that sits on the front of the transom, facing the engine, is the same, isn't it? That's the other item I have that's broken.

I'm talking about the part that has the steering linkage mounted on it, and the trim sender, and that has the two ears that correspond to the two holes in the flywheel cover, that the fiber washers sit on top of.

Thanks for the info.. my list of possibilities for engines just got a lot larger, if I can use truck engines without replacing the cam (assuming a stock truck engine).

Erik

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Hmmmmm.....
The inner transom plate is cracked?........
Ok, I would look at the part # that is cast into it & see if you can get a direct match.....
Those do show up on ebay now & then.....​

 

[Rob454]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Where are you getting your motors bro? A junkyard 305/350 here is abotu 140$. thats normal rate. if you wait till they have a 1/2 off sale its about 70$

Ford will not work on a GM. the only thing I can think of you can use is the carb and possibly the shift assembly bracket

Stick to a 305/350 combo. Also you can get a remanufactured motor from a chain auto parts place for abotu the price youre gonna spend on ajunkyard motor
Rob

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

If the transom plate has a crack in it ,cant it just be repaired at a welding shop?

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

The transom plate isn't cracked, it's completely snapped off, both ears, from a car accident - the motor shifted over. See the pic at the bottom of my other thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=205001

Sounds like I'm going to need a different/new transom plate. I'll check the casting number tomorrow. At least that way I'll be sure the power steering components will fit, too.

I won't need to use any other "engine" parts from the ford. Well... I'm actually afraid to ask now because I *am* planning on using the exterior transom assembly and stern drive. Any reason I can't use those?

.... I still can't believe the transom plate is different. I thought all pre-alphas used the same plate. Grrrr. More money I don't have.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Oh, and the $800 is a local junkyard quote for a pulled motor from a truck. I'll call around, there may be cheaper places... that's just one of the larger ones around here (John's Auto in Blaine for you MN types out there).

Erik

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

Not meaning to harp on this but the shop i work at has a fabricating shop and you would be suprised what we fix.I might be wrong but if thay can fix it it would save you big bucks.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Ford 302 for Chevy 305 swap

It's a good thought... I really just need the ability to weld aluminum and I could fix the transom plate. I could use this as an excuse to get a new MIG welder.....

But, the external transom kit (everything aft of the transom plate but forward of the sterndrive) also shattered in the crash... so, I have to get a new one of those anyway, unless I do a complete replacement with the 888 system. Depending on prices it might be cheaper just to get a matched transom kit/plate set.

It depends on what transom kits are compatible with the engine I want to use (chevy 350) and the sterndrive I have and want to use (MC-1 from an 888). I'm asking about that in another thread

Erik