454 V 351

I read somewhere on this site a saying I kinda like: "There's no replacement for displacement."

Yes, I think the gas cost is going to be huge. Go for it.

I have had two 87 SN's; one with a 454 and the other with a 351. There is a big difference in gas consumption. However, IMO, the fun of driving the 454 far outweighs the increased cost in gas. The 454 is like having a Harley on the water compared to a Honda (no disrespect meant to the 351 or Honda). Go for the 454. Your friends will help with the gas.

They are both '82 that I am looking at. I would just hate for the gas thing to kill me wallet wise.

Road King what would you say ball park you spent more for a day of sking from one to the other

Sorry, another point I did not make clear....if you weight up big for wakeboarding and surfing the 351 is also a gas hog (so is my little 289) and there may be very little difference in gas consumption to the 454. Run a low pitch prop if you play like that and the consumption is even better.

If you keep hitting the secondaries on my 289 and wakesurfing with lot's of fat sac's that thing will devour gas....so I work overseas in the Oilfield to fuel my kids/my habits.

Compression test both engines. Also put a vacuum gauge on the intakes to see how well the valves are working. Check the fluids. Test drive them both if possible. Wiggle the rudder, make sure the drive shaft turns freely, check the motor mounts. Sorry if you know this already but get a jump on any repairs since it's winter. I was doing this on one boat and the PO got so nervous he started negotiating down!

Good Luck

I say gab the 454 to me it's a no brainer. Deep sound out the exhaust, More power, easier and cheap to add goodies. As far as the fuel consumption goes I would think they would be about even since the 351 would work hard pulling the same size person while maintaining the same speed than the 454.

Mojoman, I am running a Pertronix electronic conversion module which replaced my single set of points in my stock Mallory YL distributor.

My '68 289 Ford Interceptor is pretty much stock except for GT-40P heads, a SpeedPro cam, and Holley 450 CFM 4V carb.

I think the fuel economy problem is a combination of impropper jetting (which I am woking on) and my 1966 original prop (off my other boat). My new Acme prop is setting in a box in the garage waiting for me to pull my boat out of the water.

What is a Springer I? And just how fast can a raped ape run?

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaah,,, I crack myself up.. Hear I'm reading Harley in my head instead of Holley.... Yep you can tell winter is already getting to me !!!! Doh'
Carry on J-I-H !!!

Moj'

Jim, I have the old boat as well and put on the Acme 542 and it will definitley outrun the ape now!

Ikhowell,

Regarding fuel consumption difference between the 454 & 351; I would estimate approximately 25% higher with the 454. However, as mentioned on a previous post, it really depends on what you're doing. If there are only two skiiers and you use if for say, four sets each through a slalom course; then the fuel consumption won't be that different. If you have 4 or 5 wakeboarders and you are constantly doing stops/starts or if you are pulling all the nieces and nephews tubing all day; you will notice a bigger difference. However, the people I skied with always paid for the gas, since I provided the boat. So, the gas was never an issue. On a resale note; the 454 sparked a lot more interest than the 351. Definitely get the 454 if you have the chance.

454 makes a boat better for resale