Need new engine

[rheim954]

Hello all, a little back story, i grew up on a boat on Kansas lakes, and now i recently bought my very own first boat. It is a 1983 Webbcraft Wildcat, that has a Mercruiser 305. I got the boat for a couple hundred bucks, because the previous owner left it uncovered and it got rain in the engine, so he let it sit. (about 2 years). I got the heads torn off, but in process broke a few bolts, and cylinders are really rusty ( i know i could bore) and its seized. I looked locally and can get some 305 blocks really cheap. So my main question is there any other differences from the automotive engine, and marine engine, besides Brass/SS freeze plugs, and the cam? Could i get a block and just swap those items out to marine? Ive found cam kits online, but hesitant, cause im unsure if the blocks are different. TIA

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

Find a truck motor and replace the head gasket and freeze plugs. The truck motor has the same cam as the marine, don't use a car motor because it will have a different cam

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Prefect time to jump right into a 350, insteada another 305,....

A plug, 'n play swap,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

being 1983, you have a motor with a 2-piece RMS. just knowing what changed, you can run a later motor. in some cases its just the coupler