More HP?

[tudynjoe]

In September this year I purchased a 24' 1975 Sabrecraft, powered by a Ford 302 (188hp) and Mercruiser Outdrive. Alpha I think. I love the boat, but when I had it winterized last month the shop asked me if it had been over heating. Yes it had over heated a little, but I just figured it was an old engine and I kept the RPM's under 3000 and it never over heated. They informed me that there may either be a bad head or head gasket. The repair would be approx. $700 if the head was cracked.<br />But anyway the boat seems under powered and now I looking at the possibilities of exchanging the 302 for a rebuilt 351. Would the additional hp be worth the extra $1500 or so. I love the boat and plan on keeping it for a long time.

 

[coupedeville]

Re: More HP?

You don't really need to go to a 351. There's a ton of parts out there to perk up the 302, aka the 5 litre. Better flowing cylinder heads are the key. Another 50 horses out of your 302 is easy. New heads, new intake, new carb. Just go easy with the cam to avoid water reversion trouble.<br />As long as your exhaust manifolds will bolt to the 351, which they should, then the swap is okay too. The 351 Windsor is just an enlarged 302, a bit taller and a bit wider.<br /><br />Hotting up your 302 is assuming it's in good shape. If it's tired, then you'd be wasting your money. And if it's been overheated then you have to worry about scored cylinders and oil burning. <br /><br />If you need to rebuild try these people, the prices are amazing:<br /> http://www.naparts.com/ <br />It was another poster who told me about them, but I'm not sure who, or I'd give them the credit.