Ford guys , I need some HELP

Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
9
Hello all, long story short i have the motor and drive out of my 1990 23' Baretta bow rider to repair stringers and motor mounts (common problem with Baretta boats). The boat is power by 302 (190 hp) and Cobra drive (38 mph GPS), i have found a complete 351w motor out of a 1977 Stringer Drive. The rotation is correct and the motor is priced righ for a rebuild.
My bigest concern is will the flywhell/flexplate swap years? Will my coupler bolt to this old motor?
Thanks guys for the help, this project will likely last thru the winter so next spring should be fun.
I realy hope the extra H.P. gets me some more speed , based on what some of the other Baretta owners claim my 302 must be very tired.
Thanks
 

Limited-Time

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
5,820
Re: Ford guys , I need some HELP

FWIW ..........................According to my "Ford Guy" there should be no problem.............
 

chiefalen

Captain
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
3,598
Re: Ford guys , I need some HELP

Your gonna get another 35 hp. But your gonna burn alot more gas.
 
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
9
Re: Ford guys , I need some HELP

Thanks for the replies guys. Confirms what I thought.
Consumption-as we all know the amount of gas you burn is totaly dependent on how you run the boat. I can stay on the lake with the family all day and burn 8 gals ($32) of gas or take a boat full of buddies to the lake and empty the 31 gal tank ($120+) in 6 hrs. I like to think that my normal (family) consuption will not change drasticly, am i wrong? My wife already thinks the boat is "fast" so no matter what the top end speed ends up being at WOT she will likely never be in the boat when it happens.

I have messed with some speed calcs and they are scarey, I know what my current H.P. rating is and GPS speed the other variables (weight {2500#?} and hull efficency) are just that... bottom line is it looks like 30-40 HP is going to change little in top end speed. Since this is likely as close as my budget will allow to a pre-mid life crisis (35) should i build a stroker? How much HP will the Cobra take? It is NOT a King Cobra. Obviously i would need to take it easy out of the hole with a nicely built stroker. But WOT runs after planning should be less stressful?

BTW i am in love with the look of my hull and think this is a fine way not to spend 60K on a V-drive tow boat.

Thanks for the help guys i will let you know how it goes, this is a great forum. Thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my post.
 

Surfdancer

Seaman
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
61
Re: Ford guys , I need some HELP

Depending on the configuration, you may also run into some exhaust issues. The 351W has about 1/2" more deck height on the block, moving the heads up and out a bit - and the exhaust couplings as well.
 

WizeOne

Commander
Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Messages
2,097
Re: Ford guys , I need some HELP

I'd be very suspicious re a 351 out of a '77 electric shift stringer drive boat. That motor is now 31 years old.
 

chiefalen

Captain
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
3,598
Re: Ford guys , I need some HELP

Wizeone makes a very good point. 35 years heck i have shoes that old.
 

a70eliminator

Captain
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
3,762
Re: Ford guys , I need some HELP

He stated the "price is right for a rebuild" I don't think the iron wears out it's probably a great block, but then again it's had lake water run through it all its life I guess there could be issues with the water jackets, if it was a automotive block I wouldn't hesitate to rebuild it.
 
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