GM350/260 rebuild

Epliett

Cadet
Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
11
Started a project in the dark. I have a 350 out of a 1978 Century Boat, Theres no serial #s on the block,or anywhere else.This motor is missing numerous parts. Distributor,Thermostat housing,Regulator,Coil,an much more. I believe this is a newer block, an heads. Question. Can I just start aquiring 350 parts an us them? Or do I have to stay proprietory to a certain configuration?
 

Laddies

Banned
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Messages
12,218
Re: GM350/260 rebuild

As long as the parts are for marine use, they should be adaptable, try to buy parts that are for a standard application so they will be available in the future if you need repair parts
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: GM350/260 rebuild

You cannot rebuild an engine if you don't understand the differences in the 350/5.7L Chevy small blocks engines. You can attach parts, but you can't rebuild one.<br />Buy some books on SBC engines and study them so you know what and why you are doing things before you even start with a real engine.
 

lilmandavis

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 9, 2006
Messages
618
Re: GM350/260 rebuild

the best thing i ever did was when i was little. my dad bought me one of those scale model engines. that was the greatest. i even had to adjust the valves on the thing. theres different generations of small blocks from chevy. get the block casting numbers... or better yet spend the money on a long block.. it might coast a few hundred more now but save several hundreds later!!!!
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,095
Re: GM350/260 rebuild

Or do I have to stay proprietory to a certain configuration?
Ayuh,........ You Sure Do.......
 

Epliett

Cadet
Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
11
Re: GM350/260 rebuild

Thanks Guys<br />I guess I need to be a professional to build a engine. I had no idea a 350 an a 5.7L were different.<br />Books on SBC engines? I don't have a clue what that is.<br />Scale engines will not answer real time questions.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,095
Re: GM350/260 rebuild

I had no idea a 350 an a 5.7L were different.<br />Books on SBC engines? I don't have a clue what that is.<br />
SBC,...... That's Small Block Chevy.....<br /><br />They're Not Different...... The Base Long Blocks anyway.......Are the Same....<br /><br />There have been Many Changes over the years to the BASIC Long Block 350cid, 5.7l, engines.....<br /><br />That and Merc. makes Changes to Their Configurations To the Basic Long Blocks they get from Chevy.......<br /><br />Merc. makes Their Changes known by Mercruiser Serial #s......<br />Chevy makes Their changes Known by GM Casting #s,+ Stamping #s On the Blocks......<br /><br />That's WHY I said,........<br />
Originally posted by Bondo:<br />
Or do I have to stay proprietory to a certain configuration?
Ayuh,........ You Sure Do.......
It's ALL About the Vintage,+ Model you're Trying to Build........... ;)
 

Epliett

Cadet
Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
11
Re: GM350/260 rebuild

Thanks Bondo.<br />Does this mean I can pick a newer Mercruiser SN.#<br />an start a configuration from there. Because about all I have is the block,heads,intake/carb.<br />The fellow that was building this engine, died.<br />Thats why i'm in the dark with this build.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,095
Re: GM350/260 rebuild

At this point,... I believe that you're somewhat limited by the configuration of the Drive in the Hull..........<br /><br />There's a Bunch of Switchin',+ Swappin' that Can be Done,......But some of it just Isn't worth the Effort......<br /><br />It comes down to the Hull,........If ya Love It,..... It's Worth Anything You Want to Do.........<br />'Course,..... There's the Possibility that Your Boat,.. Is somebody else's Parts,..??.....<br /><br />And,.....<br />When it comes to Gathering Parts,.......Piecemeal Isn't always the Best, or Cheapest sometimes.......<br />A Donor Boat will get you All the Bits,+ Pieces you're Going to Need........Up-Date Everything at Once....... ;) <br /><br /><br />Btw,........ Welcome to the forums here at iboats,........ :)
 
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