Part it out or fix it? Merc. 888/302

[racinrc14]

Re: Part it out or fix it? Merc. 888/302

Mkast,

More questions. I'm, generally speaking, a Chevy guy, so these Fords are new to me.

The intake and carb on that 351 on Ebay, would I be able to use them? I am relatively sure that they are not marine grade. How will that engine run (after a re-build, of course) with the intake/carb I have now? It's a two-barrel Rochester. That engine is not too far from me...

 

[mkast]

Re: Part it out or fix it? Merc. 888/302

Mkast, why the center risers? That would require re-routing the entire exhaust system, yes? Which equals more money, that I don't have a lot of just sitting around.

Regarding the firing order sequence on the intake manifold, they have been ground off. Not by the factory, mind you, but by someone with a grinder, and poorly done. I keep trying to get pics, but you can see where the original paint was removed and has surface rust where the grinder went through the paint. Why would someone do this? As before, the order looks correct at the distributor (according to my "manual on cd", which by the way, sucks).

How old are the exhaust manifolds?
That's why.
The factory ground off the firing order numbers because the 302 uses a 351 cam, different firing order, whether or not you believe it.
You should have purchased the Mercruiser manual, but trying to save money put you in this position.

 

[mkast]

Re: Part it out or fix it? Merc. 888/302

Mkast,

More questions. I'm, generally speaking, a Chevy guy, so these Fords are new to me.

The intake and carb on that 351 on Ebay, would I be able to use them? I am relatively sure that they are not marine grade. How will that engine run (after a re-build, of course) with the intake/carb I have now? It's a two-barrel Rochester. That engine is not too far from me...

Fresh water use, the intake manifold doesn't matter.
You'll have to get a USCG approved carburator, I know, that will cost money!!!
I've tried to steer you in a direction that will cost you the least amount of money and give you a powerpackage that will give you useable service.
This process will require someone with an overall picture of the complete project in mind, not someone who is motivated by, "That'll cost money!"

 

[turborich]

Re: Part it out or fix it? Merc. 888/302

When ford introduced the 302 H.O. in the 1982 mustang it used the HO firing order because a 351 marine cam was used in it, believe it or not. I know that chevy folks have never heard of 2 different firing orders for the same engine.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Part it out or fix it? Merc. 888/302

Mkast, why the center risers? That would require re-routing the entire exhaust system, yes? Which equals more money, that I don't have a lot of just sitting around.

Regarding the firing order sequence on the intake manifold, they have been ground off. Not by the factory, mind you, but by someone with a grinder, and poorly done. I keep trying to get pics, but you can see where the original paint was removed and has surface rust where the grinder went through the paint. Why would someone do this? As before, the order looks correct at the distributor (according to my "manual on cd", which by the way, sucks).

The 351 and 302 HO firing order are 13726548, as is the Mercruiser 888 original firing order as per the manual.
(The standard passenger car 302 firing order is 15426378) both are counter clockwise on the cap.
The cam shaft determines the firing order.

I agree the factory probably ground off the firing order to prevent confusion. That manifold is probably used on a car or truck and had the wrong firing order on it for the marine camshaft.

You will most likely be able to make the 351 work with the same manifolds and exhaust, the overall difference is minor so long as you have some adjustability there.
The exhaust bolt patter is the same on all 302 and 351 Windsor motors.

 

[racinrc14]

Re: Part it out or fix it? Merc. 888/302

Thanks for all the help. A friend has offered his heated shed to use for the weekend, so we are gonna try to get it out of the boat so I can at least get the motor in the garage to work on it.

I have been trying to put this off, but the more I think about it the more it bothers me. Negative comments about me trying to save money and doing things myself are really neither appreciated nor appropriate. Not once have I said anything like "Chevy is better than Ford' or vice versa. I simply don't have experience with Ford engines, so please forgive me for trying to get the facts together before trying to get the most out my paycheck. Yes, I bought a boat cheap because it needed work. And yes, I am trying to get it right so my family and I will have something to look forward to next summer. And trying to get it done with a minimum expenditure doesn't make it wrong.

This process will require someone with an overall picture of the complete project in mind, not someone who is motivated by, "That'll cost money!"

The factory ground off the firing order numbers because the 302 uses a 351 cam, different firing order, whether or not you believe it.
You should have purchased the Mercruiser manual, but trying to save money put you in this position.