PCM 351 Engine - Info ?

[lucey]

I am considering an 88 Correct Craft Ski Nautique with the 351 V-8. How are these old engines ? This one has only 455 hours on it. Is it a Merc deal ? Can one get a repair manual for it ? I know it is a Ford engine, but are there any differences being a marine engine. What kind of compression should one have on this motor. Any other interesting info regarding this motor ?

 

[horndog]

Re: PCM 351 Engine - Info ?

they are not easy to get parts for. PCM is now using GM series V-8s. search for them on google, they have a website.

 

[JasonB]

Re: PCM 351 Engine - Info ?

I hate to disagree with horndog, but parts are still relatively easy to get. The 351 Ford makes a pretty good engine and there are quite a few of them out there. I rebuilt the 351's little brother, the 302, last year and hod no problems getting parts for my 28 year old motor. While I think parts may start getting a little more scarce 5/10/15 years from now, it's not a huge issue at present. The fact that there is a 351 in the boat wouldn't sway me from it. They have been uses as straifght inboards for quite a while, but then again I am a fan of the Ford engines.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: PCM 351 Engine - Info ?

Ski Nautique with the old 351PCM/ford is a great set up... I've had a few with no complaints, and one with way over 1800hrs on the disconnected hour meter when I bought it... (X ski school boat)<br /><br />Compression should likely be somewhere in the 120-150 psi range, but more importantly, all cylinders should be within 10% (15psi or so) of each other..<br /><br />One thing you might be interested in is the fact that Correct craft used a reverse rotation engine on some of their boats which turned a right hand rotation propeller... (left hand being normal) Not a big issue at all... <br /><br />Any repair manual that covers Ford based marine engines will do... (OMC, Mercruiser, ect.)<br /><br />And parts availability is no problem...<br />http://ebasicpower.american-data.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Scre en=CTGY&Store_Code=ebasicpower&Category_Code=PLE<br /><br />If the price is right and the boats in good shape, go for it... Nautiques hold their value very well, so if & when time comes and you want to sell, you may be able to get your initial money back out of it...

 

[lucey]

Re: PCM 351 Engine - Info ?

One of the other Nautiques I found has a Chev 350 in it from factory. How does it compare to the 351 ? I must admit i like the GM motor better, but is there a horsepower difference ? I would assume one can get parts for the GM fairly easy no ?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: PCM 351 Engine - Info ?

Compairing Horsespower between the two is inconsequential... The difference would depend only on the actual condition of the engine and not the make of the engine.. <br /><br />The engine companies stay on top of the game, so if one up's the HP, then the others are quick to follow... Either one is fine, and parts for either are EZ to find...

 

[DJ]

Re: PCM 351 Engine - Info ?

lucey,<br /><br />Parts are readily available. Both for the engine and the PCM conversion.<br /><br />Some boat makers are still installing 351's in new boats. The engines are out of production, true, but there are many new ones still around.<br /><br />PCM marinized the Ford because many thought the 351 had a better and more precise throttle response than the GM engine. A lot of that was personal preference, but PCM and others bet the farm on them and did very well.<br /><br />The 351 also has a very flat torque curve that does not drop off drastically at it's rated hp.

 

[akriverrat]

Re: PCM 351 Engine - Info ?

biggest difference is sparkplug access.