1986 Commander "300" 351 in Ski Nautique

I thought i knew the available engine packages for a 1986 Ski Nautique (351 PCM or 454 PCM) However a buddy of mine just purchased a 1986 Ski Nautique (won on Price is right in 1986 as the previous owner told) has the commander marine package made in Miami FL, I am not sure if i am a fan or not as some of the hose routing and movement of raw water pump has me thinking its design is an afterthought whereas PCM looks planned out.   Beyond that is it a "premium package" above the PCM or? Thanks for any information.

Robert,
A Commander in an 86 is on the late side of when CC used them. Is there any indication of the boat being repowered? I agree that the suction side of the cooling water looks pretty hacked. That may be a good indicator that the engine was swapped out by a back yard mechanic. Sch. 40 fittings!!!! Hack job for sure.

Robert,
The 300 figure is probably a good number. I've always been amazed at the big block numbers only coming up at 330 HP.

8122pbrainard wrote: Robert, The 300 figure is probably a good number. I've always been amazed at the big block numbers only coming up at 330 HP.

Huh?

I doubt the "300" model number was in reference to the hp rating. Ive never read anything indicating that the 351w Commanders were anything beyond the standard 240hp marine longblocks that all the other marinizers were using at the time. The only hot factory heads that I can think of that predated the GT40's (which didnt debut until 1992) were the D0OE heads from '69-70. I believe thats what H-M used on their 290hp 351w's. It seems doubtful that Commander had some stashed away and were installing them 15 years later. I dont see any 351w getting anywhere near 300hp without a much improved set of heads over the standard E7's.

As for the big blocks, Ive read in a few places that the "330hp" longblocks were more commonly good for 280-290hp on the dyno, which is pretty consistent with the way they perform in the CC's Ive driven. HP level is pretty darn close to the HO Fords, based on the top end speeds they achieve.

Hooty222 wrote:

Seen many home made flush kits like that, The Commander package was not a bad marine conversion. The PCM however is much more sanitary and parts are still available. I Had a American Skier Volante that came with the Commander. except for the cool ss manifolds after 2 years of working at CC The rest of the engine was changed over to PCM components.

Al, pretty cool! I hope Im wrong...

Hooty, get that boat out on the water and see what it'll run... Note the prop size, bring a GPS and watch the tach! If its well north of 4400rpm/45mph, then maybe that 300 sticker is legit.

Wish I had 300 ponies under my hood ;).