Can I replace a 351 with a 302 in 1993

I am a pastor who was given a 1993 Ski Nautique with a blown engine. Grateful for the boat yet challenged with the repairs. Can I replace the 351 with a 302? I'm told the 302 is easier to find, easier to maintain and cheaper on gas. Any advice sincerely appreciated! Pastor Ken

I'm told it is a Windsor reverse. Does that answer your question?

I will find out what they meant by "blown". Thank you for responding.

Sure, you can do it, but you're going to have a tough time locating a reverse-rotation 302. What is "blown" about the 351? Often when people refer to an engine to be "blown" it turns out to be only repairable problems.

I do have pictures. I'm trying to figure out how to post here.

Could have been nothing but an overheated engine. What happens is that for some reason, most often weeds in the intake plumbing or a failed impeller. The exhaust manifolds get heated to higher than boiling temperature, therefore fill up with steam. As the engine cools, the steam condenses and the space where the steam was is replaced by water sucked in via the exhaust system. The water enters the cylinders, then overnight it runs past the rings into the oil.
Or, as Gary said, possible failed intake manifold gasket. Worse, a head gasket, but doubtful.
OR, could be a failed exhaust riser or manifold.

ArtCozier wrote: Sure, you can do it, but you're going to have a tough time locating a reverse-rotation 302.

This is true but if the "blown" is major, a block and the RH parts from your existing engine would be an option.

Hopefully it's just exhaust manifold(s). If run in salt, it would be #1 on my list to check.

Pastor Ken Mahan wrote: I'm told it is a Windsor reverse. Does that answer your question?

Welcome, Ken!

I'd like to know who told you this. By 1993 a reverse rotation engine is quite rare. Can you tell us what is on stamped on the id plate on the transmission in your boat? I'd guess you will find it is a PCM 40A. That A means that you have a normal rotation engine, I have a 1993 and all the 1993 guys I've talked to on this site have normal rotation engines. Not that they don't exist, but a RR 1993 is more akin to a unicorn than a horse.

Great point, Kevin. I completely missed that angle. O-76 makes a good point also, in the early days of reduction gears and LH engines, we did make what was referred to as the "scrappy", a plain-Jane boat with a 1:1 transmission and a RH engine. Not many of them out there, but certainly a possibility. The engine model number will tell the whole story.   I don't recall when PCM changed their model number system, but I think all the Fords are under the old system. If so, a PL prefix is LH and a PR is RH.

My boat is actually a Scrappy. I haven't seen too many others though.

I hope we hear from pastor Ken to find out what engine/trans package he has.

Art,
The OP (pastor Ken) is the one wanting to replace his supposed "blown" engine and why the RH/LH rotation came up. Brian stated he has a scrappy but that was simply a confirmation on a RH with a 1:1 in his boat. I still hope Pastor Ken gets us some more information as well as pictures.

Actually, we still don't know if the original poster has a Scrappy. I just pointed out that I had one, to show that they're out there, even if they're somewhat rare.

Engine rotation is probably pretty far down the list in repairing a donated boat.

Yes, you can put a 302 in. You could go smaller too but you will need a certain amount of power to do what the boat was intended to do.

OK, I'm kinda slow, but now I get it. I failed to notice that it wasn't the original poster who said he has a scrappy. My bad.