Ford 302 Mercruiser?

[cantaris]

I am looking at buyinga 1973 21 ft Bayliner with a Ford 302 and merc outdrive. The picture he sent me shows an outdrive that looks like my 120/140HP. Anyone know the Vadilatey of a 302 Merc? I am looking at repowering my 165 merc. So How are the 302s. The Price for this boat a great deal and has alot of transferable parts. Opinions greatly appreciated.

[Surfdancer]

I've had a couple and I like them. They are not as powerful as the Chevy V-8's, but they are very solid and reliable. I've run them offshore for years with no issues. I'm currently finishing another boat project with the same engine and drive (Mercruiser 888). I had to replace the engine in this boat, due to prior owner's neglect (freeze damage).

Basically, Mercury Marine took a Ford 302 block, put on special 351 Windsor heads (head bolt holes are sized for the 302 bolts - 7/16"), used some other heavy duty bits, a single wire marine alternator and they had a reliable power source for their outdrive.

The only drawback is that Mercury only used them in the 70's, so finding some replacement parts is getting a little more difficult. There is still aftermarket support for most of the wear items so it is still a viable powerplant for a boat.

[mkast]

The heads and cam used by Ford were stock 351 Windsor, that's why the firing order was ground off the intake manifold and stamped in, to match the 351 cam.

[Bond-o]

The picture he sent me shows an outdrive that looks like my 120/140HP.

Ayuh,...

That's because it Is the same drive,...
Only with 1.50:1 gears....

[cantaris]

So is $700 a good price for this boat? I would strip out the engine , transom plate, Bell housing, outdrive, trim abs, trim pumps, steering and gauges, and then either sale the boat hull and trailer for $300-400 or just hack it up and take to dump.

[mercruiserzebrowski]

700 bucks is a great price for that, i just bought a boat for 550 with a mercruiser 302. These inboards will really power there way threw anything. Hey look if the motor is still around today thats pretty amazing, new inboards are well not personally eveyones favourite. done forget you can also sell the other parts you don't need, gimbal, housing outdrive and many more parts. hope this helped you out alittle good luck.....

[Bond-o]

December 26th, 2008

Ayuh,... 2 Years old...