ford vs chevy

[jmccall001]

I have a 1982 sea ray 245 with a mercruiser 260 hp 350 chevy. The engine is old, suns abt 20lbs oil pressure at idle and 22-28 at 3k. It runs real rough above 3k, missing and dying. Have replaced fuel pump, all ignition components and rebuild carb. Am doing compression check in am. Have a chance to get a 351 ford with 183 hrs. Your thoughts please. will check compression on that engine as well.<br />Direction Please?

 

[Don S]

Re: ford vs chevy

Volvo and Mercruiser gave up Ford years ago.<br />Think about what it's going to take to adapt a Ford to the transom shield. Exhaust Y, engine bellhousing, coupler, inner transom shield, all different from Ford (If you can find them).<br />All of which will cost more than putting a new Chevy in the boat.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: ford vs chevy

Waiting for compression readings.Doesn't look like a great reason to do an engine swap yet.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: ford vs chevy

Stick with Chevy....J

 

[Scaaty]

Re: ford vs chevy

We don't allow Fords in our marina........

 

[codfather II]

Re: ford vs chevy

John, as far as I'm concerned, chevy isn't the way to go. Now I know I'll get chastised for this, but I don't have a lot of faith in G.M. or Crusader right now. I bought two BRAND NEW Crusader engines (G.M. 350 ci 300 hp.) last year. On both of the engines, the pickup lines from the oil pump FELL OFF! Maybe it's just real bad luck on my part, but be careful. If you decide to replace with a chevy, have your mechanic tack weld the pickup line to the pump. I'm far from a mechanic, but I think all it takes is dropping the oil pan to get at the part. You may want to ask Don S. on this issue because I really think he knows his sh**! I have read many of his comments and respect his views. P.S. I'm still waiting to hear from Crusader to find out what they are going to do. good luck!

 

[JasonB]

Re: ford vs chevy

I'm a Ford Fana nd run what seems to be one of the last Ford/Mercruisers in existace, but I would go Chevy due to cost, ease of install, and parts availibility. Just box that 351 up, send it down to me, and I'll dispose of it for ya.

 

[pvisser]

Re: ford vs chevy

FORD = Found On Road Dead, after it was fast on race day it died..<br /><br />FORD = Found On River Dead.. Rivers are worse!

 

[JasonB]

Re: ford vs chevy

Hmmm. PV, my Ford pulled in a Chevy or two last year...<br /><br />Ford/Chevy, it's all in how you use and take care of them whether they last.

 

[KaGee]

Re: ford vs chevy

Hmmmmm.... Ford stopped making marine engines when???<br /><br />Listen to Don S.

 

[JasonB]

Re: ford vs chevy

KaGee-<br /><br />Mercruiser stopped using them in 1977 for sterndrives<br /><br />Volvo/OMC used them until '94 or so I think.<br /><br />There have been rumors of Ford getting back involved in Marine engines, but I haven't seen it materialize, nor have the reports of Ford and a "new" sterndrive mfgr come to fruition.<br /><br />But back to the topic of the post.... Listen to Don. You'd spend a small fortune making it work.

 

[fastimz9]

Re: ford vs chevy

I think Ford should come back strong with a modular marine engine. I would buy a 5.4L V8 or a 6.8L V10 to replace that old Chevy 350 I have. Maybe Chrysler should get back into it with the Hemi. How cool.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: ford vs chevy

Ford vs. Chevy<br />John Deere vs. CaseIH<br />Yankees vs. Red Sox<br />Fender vs. Gibson<br />Celtics vs. Lakers<br />Notre Dame vs. Southern Cal<br />Beatles vs. Rolling Stones<br /><br />All fun arguments but un-winnable. Either side can talk all day and not convince the other side of anything.<br />My boat has a GM engine (which runs great) but is pulled to the water by a Ford.

 

[DaveM]

Re: ford vs chevy

I think the real truth of the matter is that neither Ford nor GM wants to be in the marine biz--volume is too low for them to care. My guess is that they enter into long term agreements based largely on cost. A marine manufacturer will not break these agreements as it will result in new inventory costs for replacement parts.<br /><br />And that, kids, concludes our Econ class for today. Homework due on Monday.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: ford vs chevy

Stick with Chevy because the conversion probably would cost more than getting a re-built long block. IMHO, Chevy's are way easier to work on. However, I have a 302 Ford, and it is a strong engine. If that 351 needs an adoptive home, I'd be more than happy to take it in. .......J

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: ford vs chevy

I've built and raced Fords and I've built and raced Chevys. Both are fine examples of engineering, although it costs about twice as much to race Fords.<br /><br />The 351 windsor is a very nice marine motor, but the bottom line is economics. Prices for Ford parts, especially marine Ford parts, are much higher and much harder to find