Worth upgrading a 351 to commander manifolds?
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47023
Printed Date: March-01-2025 at 6:18am
Topic: Worth upgrading a 351 to commander manifolds?
Posted By: zwoobah
Subject: Worth upgrading a 351 to commander manifolds?
Date Posted: November-27-2018 at 10:36pm
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Good news: I can have these manifolds for free Bad news: They come with a rotten '78 American Skier that's been sitting outside since 1991 Worth the upgrade from my cast iron manifolds? Unfortunately I have no way to test them without first accepting ownership of the entire boat. Boat they are in shows 860hr. I could likely make back enough money to make parting out the boat worth while, but I have no place to park it. I'd have to rip it apart on my street in an afternoon and then junk the rest.   ------------- 1968 Mustang 16 - 351W powered |
Replies:
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: November-27-2018 at 10:49pm
| 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. |
Posted By: zwoobah
Date Posted: November-27-2018 at 11:03pm
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I agree on valuation - my issue is parking. I live in the city. It will also cost about $350 at my local landfill to junk whatever I don't sell. So, not a lot of profit to be made here after factoring in a fair amount of time. ------------- 1968 Mustang 16 - 351W powered |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 12:17am
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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. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: zwoobah
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 12:40am
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Thanks Gary. Didn't realize it would be wider with these manifolds. I'm definitely not interested in modifying the doghouse. ------------- 1968 Mustang 16 - 351W powered |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 8:36am
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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? |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:05am
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Haven't heard any motorbox interference issues with edelbrock or commander logs with any 70+ motorbox. Any specific models/engine combos to look out for Gary? 
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Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:24am
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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. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:30am
Cooler looking manifolds that are more period correct... |
Gary S wrote:Posted By: zwoobah
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:37am
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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. ------------- 1968 Mustang 16 - 351W powered |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:40am
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Only when the motor box is open... ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: woodyelc
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:45am
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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. ------------- woodyelc |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:47am
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^^for 70+ that is correct but he has a 60’s mustang with the narrower glass box. Send me a PM regarding that free hull. |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:48am
Says the guy with the Holman Moody... |
Posted By: woodyelc
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:51am
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Sorry did not know he had a 60"s boat. Yes they had a smaller box. ------------- woodyelc |
Posted By: zwoobah
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 11:55am
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TRBenJ you've got PM ------------- 1968 Mustang 16 - 351W powered |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 12:08pm
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Cool factor? Oh hell yes. But I’m lazy and hate breaking manifold bolts. ------------- Please support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1993 Ski Nautique purple and black 351 HO PCM |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 12:45pm
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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 |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 1:13pm
| Mustang or American Skier Ken? |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 3:19pm
Well, um ahh you know what I mean The Amstang 17 that's full of leaves,........ that motor box |
Posted By: zwoobah
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 4:30pm
I also have a 351, not a 302 :) Anyone know if the platform from this Skier 17 will fit my Mustang 16? I know, I know, it's a travesty to put a platform on an early hull. My boat will see a fair bit of recreational skiing and many afternoons at the sandbar. A platform would be really useful, and this one is in decent shape.   ------------- 1968 Mustang 16 - 351W powered |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 4:34pm
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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... |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 4:42pm
I also have a 351, not a 302 :) /QUOTE] The"leafy" engine box doesn't care whether there's a 351 or 302 under it, there's room for either. |
Posted By: Duane in Indy
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 5:16pm
Cool factor??? TRB should post a pic of his S/S manifolds. Now they are cool!!!  ------------- Keep it as original as YOU want it 1978 Mustang (modified) |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 6:28pm
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Travesty to put a platform on? Ha. For those of us who’s pockets aren’t deep enough to live on the lake and actually use these boats as they’ were intended to be used.... platform on baby!!!! That’s the one non original item that shouldn’t be shamed upon, along with perfect pass. ------------- Please support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1993 Ski Nautique purple and black 351 HO PCM |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 6:35pm
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. ------------- Please support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1993 Ski Nautique purple and black 351 HO PCM |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 6:40pm
| Pain meds seem to be working |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 7:22pm
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? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 8:53pm
Lol. Platforms and perfect pass on 60’s mustangs?  No HiTeks or SS here! I’m all big blocks and factory logs these days. |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: November-28-2018 at 9:02pm
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Well ok no PP on Mustangs but full speed with a platform. ------------- Please support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1993 Ski Nautique purple and black 351 HO PCM |