Could my Mercruiser actually be a Crusader?

[Uncle Binky]

So I pulled my engine out of the boat this afternoon. As I was turning bolts and removing the intake and heads I discovered that this engine was originally painted the same shade of blue that Crusader paints their engines. The block casting numbers tell me it is a 1991 production year block. The heads are 64cc Crate Heads. It has a cast iron spread bore intake manifold that shares what appears to be the original blue paint. Is there a way to confirm the make, and if it is a Crusader, where can I find specifications on this engine? I'd like to know as much about it as possible, obviously, such as cam grind, compression ratio, etc. I know nothing of Crusaders except that they're blue. Any help? Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Could my Mercruiser actually be a Crusader?

its a GM block and heads. the same GM block and heads that are sold to Crusader, Pleasure Craft Marine (now both the same company) Mercruiser, Volvo Penta, Ilmor Marine, Indmar marine, ect.

so to answer your question. the motor may have been painted crusaders blue, however now its painted mercruiser black

 

[Uncle Binky]

Re: Could my Mercruiser actually be a Crusader?

I'd like to know more about it's original specs. I measured the cam and valve lift last night and was a bit surprised to find the cam lobes measured .250 with a valve lift of .380 for both I/E. Do these numbers seem familiar to anyone? The pistons look to be the 9.1 CR ones I've had in other motors, but I'd rather not start opening the bottom up to measure the rod length - I'd prefer to find specs on this engine without giving it the alien probe treatment.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Could my Mercruiser actually be a Crusader?

here are the specs from a 1988 GM 260hp motor (9.4:1 CR with 76cc heads)

202? duration intake
214? duration exhaust
395" lift intake
404" lift exhaust
112? lobe separation.

However as I stated prior. the motor is a General Motors 5.7 liter V8 from 1991. the same base motor is used by everyone. what other specs are you looking to find?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Could my Mercruiser actually be a Crusader?

I'd like to know more about it's original specs. I measured the cam and valve lift last night and was a bit surprised to find the cam lobes measured .250 with a valve lift of .380 for both I/E. Do these numbers seem familiar to anyone? The pistons look to be the 9.1 CR ones I've had in other motors, but I'd rather not start opening the bottom up to measure the rod length - I'd prefer to find specs on this engine without giving it the alien probe treatment.

Ayuh,.... With the exception of the 400,.....

All SBC's use the 5.7" connectin' rods, which have nothin' to do with the compression ratio,...

 

[Uncle Binky]

Re: Could my Mercruiser actually be a Crusader?

10-4 on the 5.7" rod length - but as the heads are 64CC, not 76CC, and the valve lift is .380 I/E, not .395/.404, I'd really like to know what this engine was/is before I order a cam for it, or any other parts for that matter. I know what heads I'm putting on it, and I have a good idea what intake and carb I'm installing. I find that knowing just what I'm starting with helps me end up with the correct assembly in the end.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Could my Mercruiser actually be a Crusader?

Sometimes the rigging of the engine may be of a big help at IDing an original OEM engine manufacturer to those that have been around them enough times to recognize certain features.

Maybe posting a few photos of the engine may help someone recognize your engine model a little bit better.

Good luck.

 

[Uncle Binky]

Re: Could my Mercruiser actually be a Crusader?

I would post pics, but it looks for all the world like an early 90's Mercruiser, and came with the normal jewelry hanging on it. A Merc bellhousing, standard issue power steering pump, etc. It's the combination of engine parts that has me wondering what it is. I don't care who sold it as much as I'd like to know what HP rating, which cam grind, and the like. I can take it apart and reassemble it many different ways, but I always like to know how it began life. I have bought boats and machinery that I found had power plants or components that were from entirely different worlds, and it's no big deal, but having a table of specifications helps me decide what to swap and what to keep. I've pulled it down to the block now, anyway, so it would appear to be a GM product like the other 90 million of them.