Installing older 350 into Alph I Gen II

[tank1949]

1994 350 Chevy blocks are getting hard to find fort spares. My boat has two of them with each having low hrs. The fuel pump housing are molded over; Hence, motors require electric fuel pumps. In addition I had to machine older intake manifolds to be able to bolt onto the newer heads. I have found two MC 350s closed cooled (circa 1986,) complete set ups, including manifolds, risers, fly wheels and manual fuel pumps, but I don't know what I would need to acquire in order to attach these older motors, but in good shape, to my current alpha 1 Gen 11 bell housing and OD shafts. I don't know if the older 1986 motors/flywheels/couplers will bolt up to my alpha gen 11 bell housing and drive. Is there a retro kit, or will everything match up? I am sure someone has experienced my problem too. Besides the electric fuel pumps SUCK! Help

 

[Bondo]

1994 350 Chevy blocks are getting hard to find fort spares. My boat has two of them with each having low hrs.

Ayuh,..... Honestly,... There's No shortage of SBCs, of any of their vintages,....

'n why ya worrin' 'bout swappin' low hour motors,..??

What kinda fuel pump problems ya havin',..??

 

[tank1949]

May have a good buy on two FWC 350s . The FWC accessories may more than enough pay for purchase. These older complete motors are clean. And, if I can get them at a good price, Id be able to convert my existing motors to run longer or have two back ups. I just don't know if the couplers/shafts will work on my ODs or I will have to swap couplers. The later model 350s appear to have different fly wheels. I know that the bot patterns are different.

 

[biggjimm]

Not sure when exactly but late 80's I think, Gm went to a one piece rear seal & the flywheel flange on the crank is smaller & round & has a smaller bolt pattern than the previous two piece rear seal engines. I very well may be wrong but looking in the book it looks like the shafts are the same. It looks like the couplers are different where they mount to the flywheel but the other end where it accepts the yoke shaft are the same so you'd probably have to use the couplers that are on the other engines.
Do you just not like the electric fuel pump set up that much or are you thinking more of having spare engines down the road if needed? If you're engines are low hour you shouldn't need to worry about replacements for quite some while. That being said, I understand when you find a good deal you have to strike while the iron is hot, as they say. Good luck. Jim.

 

[Scott Danforth]

1994 350 Chevy blocks are getting hard to find fort spares. My boat has two of them with each having low hrs. The fuel pump housing are molded over; Hence, motors require electric fuel pumps. In addition I had to machine older intake manifolds to be able to bolt onto the newer heads. I have found two MC 350s closed cooled (circa 1986,) complete set ups, including manifolds, risers, fly wheels and manual fuel pumps, but I don't know what I would need to acquire in order to attach these older motors, but in good shape, to my current alpha 1 Gen 11 bell housing and OD shafts. I don't know if the older 1986 motors/flywheels/couplers will bolt up to my alpha gen 11 bell housing and drive. Is there a retro kit, or will everything match up? I am sure someone has experienced my problem too. Besides the electric fuel pumps SUCK! Help

so if I read this correctly

your having problems finding 1994 blocks - look under the hood of any mid 90's chevy or GMC truck in a salvage yard

you are mating pre-vortec heads to vortec heads by machining - Bad idea because the ports dont really line up (vortec ports are higher than non-vortec. plus you will run into a gasket problem

if you want a post 1986 block with the fuel pump area still machined, look for a 1989 or newer block.

1986 is a transition year. true 1986 blocks are set up for 1 piece rear seal. however in the marine world, motors can be a few years older than hulls.
1988 is a transition year. true 1988 blocks are set up for roller cams.
1996 is a transition year. true 1996 motors come with vortec heads

the fuel pump mounting pad can be machined by any machine shop should you choose to add it. the later blocks still have this casting feature, it is simply not machined.

 

[Bondo]

I just don't know if the couplers/shafts will work on my ODs or I will have to swap couplers. The later model 350s appear to have different fly wheels. I know that the bot patterns are different.

Ayuh,.... You could swap the motors, as complete Bobtail motors, without issues,....

It's when ya tear down the motors, 'n start swappin' parts between 'em, you'll run into fitment issues,...

'n ya still haven't said what yer problem with electric fuel pumps is,.....

 

[tank1949]

Ayuh,.... You could swap the motors, as complete Bobtail motors, without issues,....

It's when ya tear down the motors, 'n start swappin' parts between 'em, you'll run into fitment issues,...

'n ya still haven't said what yer problem with electric fuel pumps is,.....

Thanks to all. Fuel pump is not main issue. I'd just like the FWC accessories hanging onto the older motors to keep blocks lasting longer. Mine are currently raw water unclosed systems. But yes, I would prefer manual fuel pumps to electric. My biggest concern is the getting current 1994 coupler to mount up to older fly wheels and newer MC shafts. I'd also be able to canibalize enough parts from older MC. I hope!!! Butif I got to go through an act of God to interface older flywheel/blocks, then I dont need any more headackes. With boat market like it is, it is almost impossible to sell this barge, regardless that I have put a fortune into it. So, I have decided to keep it and make it perfect to MY liking. I am not a real fan on OB, since they cost a fortune to repair. I will stick to I/O Chevy motors.

 

[Bondo]

My biggest concern is the getting current 1994 coupler to mount up to older fly wheels and newer MC shafts.

I thought ya said the older motors are Complete,..??

If so, No swappin' necessary, the motors will drop in', 'n bolt up, as is,...

 

[tank1949]

I thought ya said the older motors are Complete,..??

Intof so, No swappin' necessary, the motors will drop in', 'n bolt up, as is,...

Older motors are indeed complete. So, my 1994 alpha 1 gen11 shafts will slide into older couple on older motors and bell housing bolting will not be an issue??????

 

[biggjimm]

Both of those years of blocks are the same bolt pattern on the rear of the block. And the book shows the same yoke shaft for all &1, R, MR, Alpha I, Alpha I gen II, Bravo & Blackhawk drives. Mercruiser #'s 59830A1 & 59830A7 So yeah if the older motors are in fact "complete" they will drop right in & bolt up.

 

[tank1949]

Both of those years of blocks are the same bolt pattern on the rear of the block. And the book shows the same yoke shaft for all &1, R, MR, Alpha I, Alpha I gen II, Bravo & Blackhawk drives. Mercruiser #'s 59830A1 & 59830A7 So yeah if the older motors are in fact "complete" they will drop right in & bolt up.

THX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!