1986 Commander "300" 351 in Ski Nautique
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Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30173
Printed Date: November-13-2024 at 8:41pm
Topic: 1986 Commander "300" 351 in Ski Nautique
Posted By: Hooty222
Subject: 1986 Commander "300" 351 in Ski Nautique
Date Posted: June-09-2013 at 4:32pm
 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. ------------- 1986 Ski nautique 351 1988 Barefoot nautique 454 |
Replies:
Posted By: TX Foilhead
Date Posted: June-09-2013 at 6:31pm
| You can always re-route the hose. I think they went under in 85/85, I've seen them in corecct Craft's, Centurions (mine) and Malibu's and an American Skier that may have been a CC boat. Most of the parts cross with PCM stuff better than the Indmar and the stainless logs are cool. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-09-2013 at 6:34pm
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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. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Hooty222
Date Posted: June-09-2013 at 8:57pm
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It looks as if its been there a long time,(possible repower many a year ago) Hull ID is defiantly a 1986 some of the install in the engine cradle is different than my 1986 ( Bilge blower is in hard wall conduit as opposed to flex hose, and blower unit is down by oil pan (like 1987's up)) you can see that in the photo. I guess its all fine provided it runs well. Pete do you know if the "300" is a possible HP number? seems unlikely to me when my 454 is 330 as i recall. THANKS EVERYONE ------------- 1986 Ski nautique 351 1988 Barefoot nautique 454 |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-09-2013 at 9:03pm
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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. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: TX Foilhead
Date Posted: June-09-2013 at 10:48pm
| I think it's just a model number, a quick check of what kind of heads are on it would give you a better idea, 3 bars are GT40, I don't think that Ford was sending out HO motors back then. My Centurion certainly did'nt act like it had 50 or 60 more Hp than similar boats from that period. |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: June-10-2013 at 10:36am
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. ------------- |
8122pbrainard wrote:Posted By: ultrarunner
Date Posted: June-10-2013 at 12:23pm
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Here is the picture of the front of the Commander 351 that was in my '80 American Skier (not a CC). Might help you in how the RW is plumbed on the front side. This is completely stock. It is interesting to note that the sicker on my says Model 351, which of course indicates the engine's displacement. And the picture of the OP's engine says Model 300? Ultra 
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Posted By: Florida Inboards
Date Posted: June-10-2013 at 1:02pm
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. ------------- Money Talks! BS Walks! and loose change rides the bus!!! |
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: June-10-2013 at 2:25pm
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I drove a brand new '86 with the 300 Commander. And distinctly remember commenting: "Wow, This is a little rocket sled! Much quicker and faster than the '86's with the PCM's. I would say that engine is not a re-power but rather kind of a rarity. I don't have any internal specs, but don't doubt it was pushing close to 300hp. |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: June-10-2013 at 3:23pm
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: VTreker08
Date Posted: June-11-2013 at 2:47am
My 86 has the elusive commander 300 as well. I am positive it is stock, but also not sure how it got there since most folks have the PCM. Here is a picture of my motor when I first got the boat a couple months ago. Only thing not stock is the edelbrock carb.  ------------- 86 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: phatsat67
Date Posted: June-11-2013 at 12:30pm
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Wish I had 300 ponies under my hood ;). ------------- |