Comparing Gm and Ford 4cyl Engines - Difference in size / power?

[paul1557]

Hey all - Happy New Years to Everyone on this fantastic forum!!

Starting off the year 'right' with my 1st crazy question.

I just keep running into 1 problem (read expensive) after another with the '92 GM 3.0 4 cyl in my '92 Donzi.
(I believe everyone refers to these as "iron Maiden/Iron Side" models?)
The engine is basically solid but wasn't cared for by the previous owner and needs many things done to it to get it back to being 'right' - i fully intend to restore/fix it but it's SO much easier OUT of the boat to do this and also I want/need something in the water NOW while I work on fixing the GM completely SOOOO...

Came across (and bought) a perfectly running '88 Four Winns with a Ford 4cyl in it.
The engine in this craft is absolutely perfect running and spotless but the boat needs various work - Floor soggy, seats unstable due to flooring, etc... All cosmetic but more on that later)

I want to swap the engines between the 2 boats.

The Four Winns boat is fine but it's only 16' and not half the boat the Donzi is as far as solid build and space which is a concern as I have a family of 4 and of course fishing buddies who always want to go out as well...

Question is:

The Ford engine in the Four Winns is a 4cyl just as the Gm in the Donzi is.
BOTH say they are 302's, but the Ford looks MUCH smaller - not meaning engine mounting wise, that's exactly the same between the 2, and both have the exact same OMC stern drive out drive, I just mean the entire engine/ block and so forth look SO MUCH smaller on the Ford version...

As they're both stated as being 4 cyl do you suppose the Ford is going to give me the same power as the GM 4cyl?

The Ford Engine is model: 302AMRGDP / TO55081 / 98526B
(I've run search after search on these numbers and NOTHING of any use comes up?)

Only asking as in my somewhat uneducated opinion the Donzi seemed a bit 'underpowered' with the GM 4cyl in it and if the Ford is going to produce any LESS rpm/power then I'm not so sure it's a good idea to swap them - Not looking to be a speed demon (I mean it's a 4cyl after all) but I of course want it to plane right and so forth so...

Any thoughts on this?
Should the 2 engines put out the same Hp or is there a difference between the '88 Ford 4 cyl and the 92 GM 4cyl in terms of power?

Thanks a WHOLE lot for any replies - Said it before and will say it again - The folks on this forum are some of the most educated and experienced boating people on earth, I GREATLY appreciate the help everyone has given me in the past!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Comparing Gm and Ford 4cyl Engines - Difference in size / power?

Ayuh,.... The Ford I4 is a 2.3l motor, 'n up to 120hp... The GM I4 is a 3.0l, 'n up to 140hp...

The Ford I4 has a real problem with replacement parts, as they're few to none available...

The Chevy I4 is a current production motor, even though OMC is dead, 'n gone...

Btw,... The Chevy I4 is NOT the Iron Duke, but a distant cousin, with No interchangeable parts...
'n,... I have No idea where yer gettin' the 302 thing...

 

[Don S]

Re: Comparing Gm and Ford 4cyl Engines - Difference in size / power?

302AMRGDP is a 3.0L GM engine, not a Ford. The 302 stands for 3.0L with a 2bbl carb.
Had it been the Ford 4 cyl, the model number would have been 232AMRGDP.

Here is the numbering system.


View attachment OMC Model number guide 65.pdf

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Comparing Gm and Ford 4cyl Engines - Difference in size / power?

That was confusing me also. Use the Ford engine as a anchor for the mooring bouy.

 

[Don S]

Re: Comparing Gm and Ford 4cyl Engines - Difference in size / power?

Th Ford also has the exhaust on the starboard side of the engine, and the intake on the port side.

The 3.0L sand 2.5L GM engines have the intake and exhaust as one unit on the port side of the engine.
Here's a picture of a 2.3L Ford.

 

[paul1557]

Re: Comparing Gm and Ford 4cyl Engines - Difference in size / power?

Holy Carp...
O.K., the redness has left my face more or less now...

I'd no more argue with you guys about boat facts than I'd shoot myself in the foot with a harpoon, I already KNOW you folks know what you're talking about on here.

Honestly, I said it was a Ford because I had a local so called marine mechanic took a look at it before I bought it and he said it was a Ford - NO WONDER nothing came up searching the number under Ford engines, and then I mistakenly assumed when I glanced at it that since it has the 302 in the model number that's what it was. Thought I was going crazy as well. (Yea, I know, stupid of me, never assume)

Actually, very relieved now that you guys have set me straight, I'd already read your opinions of Fords in the past in other postings and wasn't looking forward to the 1st repair on the 'Ford' if and when needed, right? (l.o.l.)

Only bought it as it was a steal of a deal regardless of what motor was in it - Was water ready and ran fine (still is of course other than the flooring being soft) and paid less than 1/2 the amount for the entire boat, trailer and tons of gear than JUST the trailer would sell for used as is - Neighbor was moving into a retirement center and didn't want to pay storage on it so gave it to me for next to nothing, right?

So anyway... THANKS for setting me straight here and BIG SIGH of relief it's a GM - They're not perfect from what I've read but seem to have easy access to parts - Have bought a ton of them at my local parts store for the Donzi GM engine as I've been slowly bringing it back to perfect and they've always had most everything for it ON HAND, a big plus in my book.

And yea Don, you're perfectly right as usual (O.K., as ALWAYS! l.o.l.!) my exhaust on the Four Winns engine is on the port side just as the Donzi Gm is, not the starboard.

Bond 0, SORRY to make you scratch your head on the 302 thing there buddy, was the 1st numbers on the engine plate so - My bad!

SO... They're BOTH Chevy/GM engines

The 4 Winns is a GM 3.0 4 cyl
The Donzi is a GM 2.3L 4 cyl...

I can swap the entire Gimbal housings and out drives boat for boat if necessary but want to ask if that's going to be necessary -

The Donzi has a Model 985267 /2.3L OMC Out Drive
The Four Winns has a Model 985268 / 3.0L OMC Out drive

Do you suppose I'm going to have to swap the drives out or is the gearing going to be close enough to just leave the gimbals and out drives on their respective boats when doing the engine swap? (

I mean I know I have to partially 'drop' the drives to pull the engines, just mean can the out drives stay on the boats they're each on now or will the need to be completely swapped out as well?
(Only concerned about having to do the cable adjustment thing if I have to completely pull them to swap them, right?)

Sorry to drive you guys nuts here, I know and have restored many older vehicles but know nuts about boat engine and drives particulars, right?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Paul
Sarasota, Fl

 

[Don S]

Re: Comparing Gm and Ford 4cyl Engines - Difference in size / power?

The 2.3 drive is a 2.00:1 ratio, the 3.0L drive is a 1.71:1 ratio.
Someone stuck the wrong drive on the 3.0L engine, happens all the time, people buy stuff because it's cheap, not because it's the right part.

The 4 Winns is a GM 3.0 4 cyl
The Donzi is a GM 2.3L 4 cyl...

You aren't paying attention, neither engine is a Ford 2.3L and GM didn't make a 2.3L. GM had a 2.5L but you can't tell by looking which is a 3.O and a 2.5. Unless you know which one has a Vibration dampner and which has a Pulley.

Just because the drive decals may say 2.3 on it, doesn't change what the engine is, and your engine is a GM 3.0L according to your model number.