351 rebuild manual

Good afternoon!

Does anyone here know a good source for a rebuild manual for the ford engine on the 1980s ski nautiques?

Not planning to rebuild mine this year but I do want to check and adjust the valves, check and adjust the timing, verify that I have enough fuel pressure etc. I would just like to get the ballpark values. Also would like to know what type of spark plugs, spark plug wires, and distributed cap. As well as a new alternator or charging system, mine was ripped out by the previous owner with just an alternator and no wires attached... A few dangling wires though....

Do they make a nifty tune up kit for this engine like they do the Mercs where they have a distributer cap, points and various other components?

I also had a problem with my boat stalling when shifting into forward and reverse. I disconnected the shift cable from the transmission and was able to shift it back and forth in the water and accelerate with no issues. Any idea what is wrong there?

Thanks again for all your help.

sailsail wrote: I also had a problem with my boat stalling when shifting into forward and reverse. I disconnected the shift cable from the transmission and was able to shift it back and forth in the water and accelerate with no issues. Any idea what is wrong there? .

Bill,
If the trans shifts without stalling the engine using the lever on the trans rather than the helm shift, something's up with the cable adjustment. When you shift using the helm, does it look like it kicking the accelerator down too? Is the boat pretty hacked? You mentioned the PO just cut the wires removing the alternator!! Maybe he was hacking on the cable adjustments too?? Pictures?

Do get the book Gary mentioned. I feel you may need it especially regarding hydraulic valve lifters.

PDF version

It's the first link