Mercruiser 120 convert to automotive.

[matt167]

I’ve been thinking about starting work on my long abandoned scratch built rat rod in my nice insulated and partially heated garage ( has 8’ of baseboard heat for washer/ drier. Never gets ‘cold’ )… and I happen to come across a model A frame that is perfect for it as I’ve never liked the frame I had for it. Now I get to inventory the ‘stuff’ i have in storage for it. And was thinking that the 120 in the StarCraft Offshore would be cool. It’s a spare engine as I’m dropping the 140 in that boat.

What does it take to switch it to automotive? Can I buy the intake and exhaust manifold for a Chevy II 153? It’s a 1970 engine

 

[matt167]

This is more or less how it sits now on a back halved Ranger frame

 

[Scott Danforth]

yes, the 120 is simply the 153 from the chevy 2 with a marine cam

get a different distributor for automotive use. reach out to Tom http://www.langdonsstovebolt.com/ you can get a custom HEI distributor for the motor for street use.

just clean off the rust off the flywheel and bolt a clutch on it after you install a pilot bearing.

other engines to consider are the 3.7 liter mercruiser. it has a cult following on the HAMB https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-elusive-224-3-7-mercruiser-banger.256713/

may want to check out inliners.org. https://inlinersinternational.org/ at least cruise the classifieds if you are looking for parts.

 

[matt167]

Somewhere I read that the Mercruiser 2.5 has a special intake bolt pattern and one needs to be built for it. Is that true or can I grab a Clifford intake? I bought stuff from Steve Langdon years ago for a Chevy 235

 

[Scott Danforth]

Somewhere I read that the Mercruiser 2.5 has a special intake bolt pattern and one needs to be built for it. Is that true or can I grab a Clifford intake? I bought stuff from Steve Langdon years ago for a Chevy 235

no, there is no special bolt pattern. the merc 2.5 is the same as a Hyster fork lift 2.5 which is the same as a 1962 Chevy II 2.5. other than the big gap in lobe angles, small duration on the cam, the non-vacuum advance and the wet exhaust. its basically a small truck motor.

 

[matt167]

no, there is no special bolt pattern. the merc 2.5 is the same as a Hyster fork lift 2.5 which is the same as a 1962 Chevy II 2.5. other than the big gap in lobe angles, small duration on the cam, the non-vacuum advance and the wet exhaust. its basically a small truck motor.

Perfect. I thought that was probably the case and the internet was wrong. I’ll either see if I can get a Chevy II manifold or a Clifford.

I’ve wanted a 470 for this use but I don’t want the hassle of finding a good core, when I have a good 2.5 here

 

[Scott Danforth]

Perfect. I thought that was probably the case and the internet was wrong. I’ll either see if I can get a Chevy II manifold or a Clifford.

I’ve wanted a 470 for this use but I don’t want the hassle of finding a good core, when I have a good 2.5 here

search facetube marketplace. with everyone yanking motors for LS swaps, the perfectly good old-iron is going for peanuts.

 

[matt167]

There is a slant 6 and automatic pretty local but the guy wants wayyy too much for it. I do have an LS 4.8, a 350 and a 460 in storage. But not really sure I want to use any of them. Originally I wanted a 1UZ-Fe Toyota V8 but not with an original frame

 

[Scott Danforth]

the slant six just never sounded right. great motor, however I can still hear the lifter tick from my childhood.

 

[matt167]

It’s $1,000 has a lifter tick and a misfire. No thanks. Aussies did some pretty crazy things with them including a HEMI head

If I could find one, an MGB 1.8L would be pretty cool with 2 SU carbs. I had a ‘74 and it was a blast. I shouldn’t have sold it. The sound of those carbs was amazing

 

[matt167]

This little manifold has me thinking. Along with a Clifford 4bbl intake, as finding an original intake ( or exhaust manifold) is seemingly impossible. Holley throttle body EFI would run with the turbo. Putting 4-5 psi without an intercooler wouldn’t hurt I don’t think. Wake it up a little

Chevy II 153 CID Vortec 3.0L T3 Turbo Exhaust Manifold

Turbo Manifolds for Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Mazda, MItsubushi, Nissan, Tiburon, Toyota, Volvo and more car brands. Check it out here!

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