Swap 1979 351 with a 1987 350?????

[citadel1995]

Once again, I need some help and guidance from all of you gurus.

I have a 1979 OMC Ford 351 with 800 outdrive. The motor is toast. leaking water in oil, and oil spurting out of valve cover hole, water/oil mix coating the plugs, etc. etc. So I found a rebuilt 1987 350 fairly reasonable and wanted to know will the outdrive/bellhousing easily attach to the 350? what other types of modifications do I need to expect or should it be a fairly "simple" drop-in and go?

Thank You guys for your input! It's always helpful!!
mp

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Swap 1979 351 with a 1987 350?????

You can't mate a 1987 Chev engine to any stringer drive - no splined drive coupler exists for post 1986 Chev engines.

It can't be that hard to find another 351 for a core. Would be much easier to just stay Ford and bolt all the marine parts on to the exact same holes.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Swap 1979 351 with a 1987 350?????

Once again, I need some help and guidance from all of you gurus.

I have a 1979 OMC Ford 351 with 800 outdrive. The motor is toast. leaking water in oil, and oil spurting out of valve cover hole, water/oil mix coating the plugs, etc. etc. So I found a rebuilt 1987 350 fairly reasonable and wanted to know will the outdrive/bellhousing easily attach to the 350? what other types of modifications do I need to expect or should it be a fairly "simple" drop-in and go?

Thank You guys for your input! It's always helpful!!
mp

Nope,... Can't be done,.... Chevy didn't put the bolt holes where Ford did....

It's the round peg in a square hole syndrome...

 

[citadel1995]

Re: Swap 1979 351 with a 1987 350?????

Yeah Figures. what is the latest year Ford 351 that will work? I thought I read somewhere that they changed the bolt holes for the bell housing ? There are some fords out here, this chevy was just already rebuilt and running. he had it looking nice!!! THANKS for the input!!

 

[Nivekt]

Re: Swap 1979 351 with a 1987 350?????

Yeah Figures. what is the latest year Ford 351 that will work? I thought I read somewhere that they changed the bolt holes for the bell housing ? There are some fords out here, this chevy was just already rebuilt and running. he had it looking nice!!! THANKS for the input!!

You should be able to pick up a remanufactured 351 lonblock for around $1300 with a warranty. Call around to your local machine/engine shops and see. Or you could buy from these guys: Rebuilt Marine Engines They are about 200 miles from you.