Fixing to buy a 351W, need suggestions
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3025
Printed Date: November-23-2024 at 10:16am
Topic: Fixing to buy a 351W, need suggestions
Posted By: Andrew McBride
Subject: Fixing to buy a 351W, need suggestions
Date Posted: February-12-2006 at 5:18pm
I am going to order a new/rebuilt marine 351W RH rotation engine for my 83' SN. I have called around and checked prices and the lowest I have found was 1,175.00 + 150.00 Core through NAPA autoparts. That is the block & heads. Basically I bolt my oil pan, intake, carb, misc. brackets and accessories and ready for the lake. Does that seem like a good deal? I am having to pay the core since my block and heads were cracked from the previous owners. I called a dealer out of Dallas and they priced me at a little over 1,300.00 for the set-up + core.
If anyone has any suggestions on any other places to check out please let me know.
I am also going to switch the engine over to HEI so I can get away from the ancient points system. Thanks
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Andrew McBride
83' Ski Nautique
"Under Construction"
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Replies:
Posted By: Bob's2001
Date Posted: February-12-2006 at 10:15pm
Sounds like a fairly good price. I bought a 302 long block a couple years back for a Mustang (car) and it was $1200.
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Bob Ed
83 2001
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Posted By: JoeinNY
Date Posted: February-13-2006 at 8:43am
If it can be avoided I wouldn't buy a napa rebuilt engine. The one installed in my boat by a previous owner revealed some pretty spurious rebuilding practices when I had to replace it. I couldnt even save anything from that engine except the heads (those I rebuilt). The rods had been bored out to accept oversized bearings that are not commonly available, one fo the connect rods had been installed backwards (What I believe led to that bearing failure). Caps had the same issue as the rods instead of being resized correctly they were bored out. I don't know how the cam and lifters got into the shape they were in such a short amount of time, even the push rods were an unmatched worn down hodgepodge. At a minumum the PO should have replaced all the freeze plugs with brass. If it was installed better it might have lasted longer than it did (2 seasons), but it was not a quality job, it was something that was meant for getting and old car through a few more years, not to power a classic like yours. Forget about the possible lack of piston wall clearance for your application and that the napa warranty won't apply to a boat.. With the work you have into it I wouldn't take the chance, find a good local machine shop and build one yourself or pay the money to someone building and guaranteeing them specifically for marine use.
-Joe.
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1477 - 1983 Ski Nautique 2001
1967 Mustang 302 "Decoy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO5MkcBXBBs - Holeshot Video
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Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: February-13-2006 at 9:19am
You might want to look into a short block that will save you a little money and also check out http://www.jasperengines.com/mari-products.htm and as long as there are no holes on the outside of the block they will take it as a core. I run one of theie class-II engines and have had no problems and they give you a 18 month warrenty so that will be good till the end of next summer.
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique
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Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: February-13-2006 at 12:27pm
http://www.1800runsnew.com/index.html
Check out the above site. I got a rebuilt 351 marine engine from them last summer. I had it installed by Correct Craft. Total of engine, installation, new plugs, wires, hoses, manifold, gaskets,water pump and some piece that mates it to the transmission, $5,700. I also purchased a brand new Holley Carb and Prestolite electronic ignition. The only original part on it is the starter. The flame arrestor is new too. A twenty-hour break in period required, but is flexible.
Good luck,
Ken
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001
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Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: February-13-2006 at 12:30pm
Forgot to mention the two year warranty on the 351. See site for more info.
Vesuvio warranty is 2 years on non-race motors
Ken
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001
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Posted By: Nautique2001
Date Posted: February-13-2006 at 12:31pm
http://www.1800runsnew.com/recon_philosophy.htm
More stuff....
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1052&sort=&pagenum=4&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990" rel="nofollow - Nautique 2001
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Posted By: Andrew McBride
Date Posted: February-15-2006 at 6:34pm
thanks for the response, all check those links out.
Andrew
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Andrew McBride
83' Ski Nautique
"Under Construction"
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Posted By: gigem75
Date Posted: February-21-2006 at 8:01pm
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I got a short block and had valves done and head resurfaced at local machine shop for around 950. The short block has the exact same rear crankshaft seal (two piece, same part #) as the rear seal that came with the marine gasket set I purchased. ???
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Posted By: trikeaholic
Date Posted: February-23-2006 at 7:50pm
http://www.hiperformer.com/ford-marines_boats-marine_engines-for_351wmlb_r.html
I found this a while ago and bookmarked it. looks like a good company
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1980 Ski Nautique
Ithaca NY
http://my.break.com/media/view.aspx?ContentID=326707 - My Boat
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Posted By: David F
Date Posted: March-02-2006 at 8:10am
I am chimming in late here, but in my oppinion, do not purchase the NAPA engine. It WILL be of dubious quality. There is a reason the cost is only $1100.00.
I think is was mentioned that the block and heads were cracked. If this is the only damage, then I would purchase a used engine from the salvage yard. Then rebuild it (or have it rebuilt) using the marine parts out of your original engine. The block and heads from automotive to marine are identical.
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Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: March-02-2006 at 8:32am
Second David's thought. When I was cash strapped in college, bought a cheap rebuild from Napa or one of those auto stores. Of course, turns out the block I got had more cracks than my original, and they had been patched poorly. Ended up costing me 3X in the first 18 months. BKH
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Livin' the Dream
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