Re: Kind of a n00b question.
OK, Newby...I feel better already! Just Kidding!!<br />I have to go out in a little while so I'll answer the last part first. At first blush there's very little difference between an automotive engine and one built for marine use. Then you start to get specific...You could use an automotive block in a marine environment but here's the catch; An automotive engine is coupled to a transmission allowing you to shift down when the RPM's begin to increase, say 2100-2300 RPM in 4th/5th gear. So, top end is, say, 5000 (for arguements sake only). A marine engine (4 cycle) is coupled to an outdrive with a gear ratio that calls for constant RPM's in excess of 4000 as long as you run at speed, and some even higher. When you shift from reverse to forward, you're merely sliding one reverse gear from the output pinion to the forward gear and pinion, there's no clutch. So the load on a marine engine is high most of the time. I know there are many automotive blocks installed on boats and they are workhorses, so don't think you can't do it. The 5.0L is a 302CID, the 5.7L is a GM 350/360, something like that, both general purpose blocks. The marine deal is in the oil, filters, gas and treatment, carbeuration (when used), cooling, and electrical stuff, like starter and alternator. It's best to stick to marine for marine applications and let the automotive engines stay where they were designed to operate, in cars. That's my opinion, others might disagree, but I personally know guy's who insisted on putting automotive engines in boats and were towed in by SeaTow in short order, so that's what I think.
