318 Chrysler V8

Phil Roundy wrote: I got lucky. A guy had an '85 Dodge truck with a 318 in it. Engine runs good. I'm going to pull that engine and have it dropped into the boat. Saved me over $2,000. Not new but it will work with my budget. I was worried about whether the boat engine was a right or left hand rotation. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get it to work if the rotation was wrong. Then the repair shop mech kinda made me feel stupid...... OK well, more stupider then usual. He said. If it's turns out that the new engine is a different rotation you could just buy a prop that turn the other way....... "OH, Yeah, well yeah that's right. here's my sign.

Phil, the former owner of my boat thought the same thing. I thought the same thing as your mechanic. I've learned otherwise. It is possible to convert the engine over to a marine engine, however it is not just a drop in thing. Check out the serial number that is probably on the bell housing of your boat engine. Should start lm318w? the question mark will tell you your rotation. If it is a R that means a reverse rotation engine and that will mean your truck engine turns the opposite way. That would mean you would need a left turning marine starter and possibly a left turning marine alternator. You cannot legally or safely use automotive electrical parts due to the possibility of igniting vapors in the bilge. You also need to turn the pump on the transmission to work properly. You can change the rotation of the engine but that would involve changing the cam and turning the pistons around 180 degrees to counteract piston slap. Whatever you decide to do do not junk the marine engine like the guy that we got our boat from. Check around the forum on converting automobile engines to marine.

politicallycorrect wrote: Phil, I've just come back from a weekend trek from vermont out to ohio to go and get one. Let me tell you they are hard to find. I paid 600. Do you have the serial number to the engine that is in there. I'm new to these chryslers but there are plenty of old timers around that know them pretty well. Check out this thread and these guys helped me identify what I was buying http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?389194-can-you-tell-the-rotation-of-an-engine-by-the-serial-number&goto=newpost    Good luck with it. I'm finding out these things are addictive I'm thinking of starting a inboard anonymous group.

Link to marineengine.com forum

I'm looking for a Chrysler 318 V8. Needs to go in a reconfigured '73 Correct Craft. All the Re-mans are $1750 or there abouts. Looking for a used one to drop in there. And, maybe save a little cash.
I live in Utah so Rocky Mountain region is preferable for shipping $$$ or for me to make a run and come get it. From what I'm finding out I pretty much need a 318. Not sure yet if it's a lefty or a righty.
435-630-0205
Phil Roundy