More Power!

[dieselboy86]

Here's what im after I have a omc 190 (ford 302) and I would like a little more power, but more than any thing I want more reliablity out of it. It doesnt get good fuel economy with the 2barrel holly. Would love to get rid of the points it that helps. The wifey will be running this boat by herself sometimes so reliablity is key.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: More Power!

Here's what im after I have a omc 190 (ford 302) and I would like a little more power, but more than any thing I want more reliablity out of it. It doesnt get good fuel economy with the 2barrel holly. Would love to get rid of the points it that helps. The wifey will be running this boat by herself sometimes so reliablity is key.

I'd certainly concentrate on getting your outdrive to stay together before you go thinking about HP. I think you said your boat was 22 ft. That is a lot of boat for the 302. It's going to be under constant load pushing that scow and going to use a lot of fuel doing it.

A 190 hp 302 w/2bbl in an 18-20 ft boat is a much better combo and about as economical to run as any motor with any poop to move them along.

If you went to a 4bbl, you might get a bit more power but you will be into the secondaries all the time and just suck that fuel down.

I can run my 5.0/302 4 bbl, in my midweight 20 footer and get as good a fuel mileage as I got with the two barrel AS LONG AS I keep a light hand on the throttle. When I really want to make it scoot, I pay the price.

You'd probably do better with a 351w with a 600 cfm 4bbl. You probably will not get any better mileage but you will have more torque to keep the motor from running so hard. But if you are running an electric shift OMC, I wouldn't go there either.

 

[dieselboy86]

Re: More Power!

Thanks for the info. I might just do a tune up and get rid of the points and call it a day. I do have the electric shift omc before the 400/800 series. i found on this fantastic site that a 800 cable shift will bolt right in place and would be a lot better.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: More Power!

Thanks for the info. I might just do a tune up and get rid of the points and call it a day. I do have the electric shift omc before the 400/800 series. i found on this fantastic site that a 800 cable shift will bolt right in place and would be a lot better.

Yeah, as long as you do not have the high profile electric shift you can stick on a hydromechanical or full mechanical out drive. You need to bore out the hole where the shift wire goes thru, to accept the shift cable and you need the appropriate shift converter box and a new throttle/shifter control with all the necessary cables.

They did not make a high profile drive in the two 800 series so you would be SOL if that's what you have.

I made that conversion on my 1975 back in 1979.

 

[mkast]

Re: More Power!

It doesnt get good fuel economy with the 2barrel holly.

You are leaning on the throttle too much, on a boat of that size.

 

[dieselboy86]

Re: More Power!

Yeah im in the throttle a lot pulling two or three tubes. My boat is a 1977 so it has the first generation electric shift.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: More Power!

Yeah im in the throttle a lot pulling two or three tubes. My boat is a 1977 so it has the first generation electric shift.

Do you have SmartTabs? They work their very best in the speed ranges that you usually pull tubes at. They keep the hull from constantly trying to dig itself out of a hole and give you much better speed control in the low ranges.

 

[dieselboy86]

Re: More Power!

No i dont have trim tabs. Origianly what i was after is how can i get more power keep it reliable and maybe squeeze some economy out of it. Hence More power.

 

[mkast]

Re: More Power!

No i dont have trim tabs. Origianly what i was after is how can i get more power keep it reliable and maybe squeeze some economy out of it. Hence More power.

Install a 351 Windsor engine.

 

[dieselboy86]

Re: More Power!

Install a 351 Windsor engine.

I found one on ebay for 1200 with everything included.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: More Power!

Everything? The 302 intake won't work on the 351, and while you can use a 2bbl carb, I would recommend getting the 600cfm 4bbl. There are a few minor differences, but I don't know what would affect the OMC outdrive. You would likely need to re-prop it as well since the 302 usually has a different gear ratio than the 351's.

Smart Tabs would likely be the easiest and cheapest solution short of changing the engine out.

 

[dieselboy86]

Re: More Power!

Everything? The 302 intake won't work on the 351, and while you can use a 2bbl carb, I would recommend getting the 600cfm 4bbl. There are a few minor differences, but I don't know what would affect the OMC outdrive. You would likely need to re-prop it as well since the 302 usually has a different gear ratio than the 351's.

Smart Tabs would likely be the easiest and cheapest solution short of changing the engine out.

thanks for the input fellas i will look into smart tabs.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: More Power!

No i dont have trim tabs. Origianly what i was after is how can i get more power keep it reliable and maybe squeeze some economy out of it. Hence More power.

Lotsa things to do for more power. Nothing for more economy. Re-read previous posts on why that is.