Worth upgrading a 351 to commander manifolds?

Between the trailer, the manifolds and a couple parts I can see, there's got to be $1000 there, so worth the effort if you like wrestling with old boats.

If you have cast iron pyramids like PCM's they are pretty efficient,they are all equal length. A log is not,the front cylinder obviously has alot farther to travel out than each cylinder down. You might also have fitment issues. A log manifold will be wider across,a pyramid will sit so close to the head that it is difficult to get a socket and extension in to remove a valve cover. As you can see in your engine pictures of that Skier it is very easy to get to the valve cover bolts on the log type. Add the fact that a 351 block is 1/2" taller than a 302 you might be hard pressed to have your engine cover fit because your engine and those logs will that much wider. The work involved making the motorbox wider to fit the manifolds won't be worth the effort you might gain ,if at all, let alone losing any more of the limited floor space that you already have.

Zwoob

If your heart is set on the manifolds for the bling factor I see an engine cover in the picture that fits over the manifolds. It might take some work to make it match your boat but it's right there with the engine.

Plenty of other parts like the engine mounts, water pump, some pulleys that are hard to find, the previously mentioned trailer. Can't really tell if there's a transmission or any running gear there but that would be bonus stuff

For some reason(the pictures of the backyard launch ramp and you saying it will live on a lake in NH make me think this) I'm under the impression that you use the boat at a cottage , couldn't it get parked there for the winter and maybe find a buyer for what's left or at least somebody to take it away for free to use the hull etc after you get your parts from it?

No but he has a Mustang/Skier with its original glass ‘box covering a 351 now. Mine has the wood box to clear the HM logs because the 70’s hadn’t happened yet😊. Now he could use that doaner Mustangs box but it will cut down on the limited floor space he has now -but for what gain? 0 to none IMHO.

Ken - my Mustang lives in NH, I live in RI and so does this parts boat. I don’t trust the freebie trailer to make a 3hr Highway trip. Also the landfill in RI will accept the stripped hull. NH already has 1.5’ of snow so not ideal weather for moving and disassembling a boat in the yard :)

It does have a 1:1 velvet drive trans, driveshaft, rudder, swim platform, half a windshield, etc. The 351 is almost definitely scrap - it’s been sitting outside uncovered with the valve covers and intake manifold off.

And Gary is correct. I don’t want to install a wider doghouse. Can just barely walk past mine as is. If I pick up this parts boat, I’ll strip the manifolds and do some measuring on the mustang in spring.

FYI   The motor box is the same ether with a 302 or 351. CC used the same box on all boats.except those with the 454. back in the day.

Gary S wrote: Only when the motor box is open...

Says the guy with the Holman Moody...

TRBenJ you've got PM

so like mentioned before and like Woody said, that Mustang motor box fits over a 302 or 351 and it'll fit over Zwoob's 302 with whatever manifolds.

It'll take up some interior space though

Hollywood wrote: Mustang or American Skier Ken?

Well, um ahh you know what I mean

The Amstang 17 that's full of leaves,........ that motor box

Travesty, indeed...

The platform itself will likely fit with some modification to match the curve of the transom. The 17’ hull is wider than the 16’1” but tapered quite a bit towards the rear
So the width is likely close, if I had to guess. I would be very surprised if the brackets could be used- rise and swing are likely quite different. I may have some brackets that someone had used on a gen1 mustang...

Orlando76 wrote: Cool factor? Oh hell yes. .

Cool factor???    TRB should post a pic of his S/S manifolds. Now they are cool!!!

Duane in Indy wrote: Orlando76 wrote: Cool factor? Oh hell yes. . Cool factor???    TRB should post a pic of his S/S manifolds. Now they are cool!!!

No dis to Tim and Hi Tek but coolness factor begins with Holman Moody, tied with Interceptor and Commander, and then the rest of the kids.

Orlando76 wrote: ] No dis to Tim and Hi Tek but coolness factor begins with Holman Moody, tied with Interceptor and Commander, and then the rest of the kids.

I guess they all have their place. The HM's are easy to mount,easy to change plugs and easy to remove the valve covers- everything you'd expect from guy's who had experience working on engines themselves. They do take up alot of room though.
The Hi Teks are compact and lite and seem to be lasting in the worse possible conditions. Not direct bolt on when received,need to do alot of fitting and grinding. Real close to impossible to remove the sparkplugs but that might be just because of the boat they are in.
The PCM's are readily available,inexpensive,fit great.Down sides are heavy, thin in the riser to manifold joint and cheap hardware. Would it have killed them to used stainless?

Well ok no PP on Mustangs but full speed with a platform.