Ford 302

[Jakem]

I'm thinking of changing intake and carb to 4 barrel...pros and.cons...aside from fuel mileage.

 

[Scott06]

I'm thinking of changing intake and carb to 4 barrel...pros and.cons...aside from fuel mileage.

15-25 more hp. You need an intake, carb, fuel line and throttle bracket mods.

I think the 302 ford came in both versions from Merc so you can look up what HP would be with both.

I doubt you will notice the fuel consumption difference. I think you will find the smaller diameter primaries on a 4 bbl will give better throttle response and mid range punch than a 2bbl, and equal fuel economy unless you throttle down.

 

[achris]

..I think the 302 ford came in both versions from Merc so you can look up what HP would be with both.

'888' was a 188hp 2bbl 302..
4bbl 302 was 215hp (1970-1972) and 225hp (1973-1974).

Chris.......

 

[Scott Danforth]

pros....
better fuel economy on part throttle running
better performance
that Whhhhaaaaaaaaaa sound when you open the throttle

cons....
parts to buy

 

[Jakem]

Lol...well for theb1000 dollars it will cost me...I will imagine the...waaaaaaa

 

[Scott Danforth]

Lol...well for theb1000 dollars it will cost me...I will imagine the...waaaaaaa

one BOAT unit

 

[Jakem]

Lol

 

[Scott06]

Lol...well for theb1000 dollars it will cost me...I will imagine the...waaaaaaa

Yeah if you hadnt just put a new engine in i would suggest a 351…

 

[Jakem]

I thought of that however to late...I'm sure this will do me good I don't really ever go to far...half hour max runs to my fishing spots.

 

[Scott06]

I thought of that however to late...I'm sure this will do me good I don't really ever go to far...half hour max runs to my fishing spots.

Yeah i did the same when i repowered six years ago.
bought a boat with a cracked 4.3 , went back in with a 5.0 beacuse that was the biggest engine offered with. in retrospect should have dropped in a 5.7.

probably the 4 bbl upgrade isnt worth it unless you can find a used manifold and carb. In the end if you like the boat, find a GM 5.7 take out pulleys to outdrive from a newer boat (92 and up) and swap it in.

 

[Jakem]

I do like the boat for sure...I hope I get some years out of this engine before I need to redo this...it's been a learning curve alright

 

[nola mike]

one BOAT unit

That's only like ½ now with inflation

 

[nola mike]

I do like the boat for sure...I hope I get some years out of this engine before I need to redo this...it's been a learning curve alright

Parts and upgrades are much cheaper if you're not in a hurry

 

[Jakem]

Curious what the life expectancy is for inboard engine if maintained.

 

[achris]

Curious what the life expectancy is for inboard engine if maintained.

Well over 30 years. I have a friend with a boat with a couple of 1984 Mercruiser '260's in it... They run ok...

My previous engines were 22 years and 12 years respectively, and both were running fine when I pulled them. Current engine is 16 years old and still like new. Plenty of boats with engines more than 20 years old still running around... Most boat engines don't 'wear out', it's usually an 'event' (water ingress mostly) that does them in.

Chris........

 

[Scott06]

Curious what the life expectancy is for inboard engine if maintained.

Fresh or salt water? Change the oil and lube a 1500 -plus hours should be no big deal. You may run into the issue with MC-1 parts becoming obsolete, drive can be replaced with R/MR/Alpha gen 1 as a bolt in but trim/trnasom housing may be an issue

Typical lake use in northern climates where summer too 'effin short the engine is the last thing to wear out. My grandfathers boat that I cut my boating teeth on was over 30 years old still ran great... stringers were gone and hull cracked. Next boat was 25 years old when I sold it in good running condition. Current boat is a '04 so it seems like new...

 

[Jakem]

Mostly salt...I have closed cooling and I flush the engine well.

 

[Scott06]

Mostly salt...I have closed cooling and I flush the engine well.

As Chris mentioned make sure to maintain your exhaust (if you have a half system) and or elbows (full system) to keep water out of the cylinders ...

 

[Scott Danforth]

I/O motors generally do not wear out. the SBC I pulled out and sold was 28 years old and still ran strong. I do know of a few charter boats that get new motors every 5000 hours or so.

with proper maintenance usually the hull goes.

as Chris mentioned, usually I/O's are murdered by an event.