F32: All else being equal, 318/225 or 360/250?

one wolf · Post by **one wolf** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:09 pm

I'm continuing to look at lots of F32s - definitely a fun process getting educated and checking out lots of boats. Certainly a buyers market right now, that much is clear (sorry for those of you selling currently

)

I have another question I'd like to pose here:

Looking at two identical boats but one has the stock 318 and the other has the stock 360 (assume same year boat, same hours on engines) - which one would you get and why?

I assume the 360 guzzles more petrol - at 15 knots is that 10% more or 50% more or 100% more?

Does one or the other have a better long term track record in terms of maintenance and reliability?

Any other differences?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Love this forum!

jav · Post by **jav** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:57 pm

If it were me, I'd look for something a little newer. Not that the chryslers are bad, the 318's are actually great little engines. But- parts are starting to become an issue, especially if they are raw water cooled.

As fas as power goes, I'm of the school that more is better as long as there isn't a weight penalty or your not asking too much from a certain displacement. With these 2 engines, they are basically the same weight so I'd opt for the more powerful engines.

Fuel consumption doesn't necessarily go up just becuase you have a higher displacement engine. Consumption is going to be directly related to how much power it takes to move the boat a given speed. If a boat requires 300 hp total to travel 20 knots, then whether that 300 hp is coming from a 318 or a 360 will make negligible difference in consumption as long as all other things are equal (ie weight, drag, propping, gearing and similar vintage/technology engines). In fact, there are cases where larger engines consume less than smaller engines becuase they are setup to operate in a more efficient power range.

Dan Faith · Post by **Dan Faith** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:08 pm

I did the research and when I purchased my 83 F32 it came with all the papers and the engine data for both engines. The 318 burns more gas than the 360. The reason is that the 318/225 has to work harder for the same results as the 360/250. Almost enough to convince me if I have to do any major work I may look at going to a big block i.e. 454.

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:13 pm

360'S DEF,,,NO SUBSTITUTE FOR DISPLACEMENT, IF GAS IS AN ISSUE, REMEMBER, SMALLER ENGINES HAVE TO WORK HARDER FOR SAME RESULT
If I can put twin big block engines in mine, I would, the bigger the better, those big bruts put out lots of torque, and thats whats important, if we were looking for speed, we def would not be in a Trojan Forum,
I love big blocks

TADTOOMUCH · Post by **TADTOOMUCH** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:21 pm

Get the 360 for sure if all else being equal like hours, condition, overall boat condition. You can still get parts for either engine including the cooling systems, transmission, etc. If the 360 has electronic ignition and the other does not then that would also decide it.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:56 pm

Who can say clackity clack?

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:00 pm

One Wolf,

See your PM.

Nancy

one wolf · Post by **one wolf** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:44 pm

What if you add the 454/350 in the mix? Doesn't fuel efficiency take a pretty big hit at that point?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:47 am

one wolf wrote:What if you add the 454/350 in the mix? Doesn't fuel efficiency take a pretty big hit at that point?

I bet it wold be close as long as you dont run WOT 100% of the time . the only real decrese would be do to the extra weght

thelast322 · Post by **thelast322** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:55 am

I have the 350 crusaders and can get anything from .75 to 1.10 Nautical MPG. I have the flow scans. I avg under these conditions 16 - 21.5 kts. I push it until the the fuel curve goes up. So depending on the wind, current and seas is how fast I cruise. I had this boat for 4 seasons and over 200 hrs logged on. The 454's maybe better because they would turn slower with bigger wheels

willietrojan · Post by **willietrojan** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:03 am

I have 233hp (351) Merc's in mine, and I get about 22gph at 16 knots. I have a question for you tellast322 is your top speed 21.5 or is that your top cruising speed ?

Dan Faith · Post by **Dan Faith** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:32 pm

Liberty call,
what Floscans do you have? I,m looking at the 9000 series with the GPS interface to give instant MPG. around $600 depending on hours run per year this could give a cost savings in a year or two.

Dan

LSP · Post by **LSP** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:48 pm

Yep .... big is the way to go. But, if you come acrossed one with ye'old 318's in her, don't let that scare you off. I'm running them and she can still get up an getcha where you're goin' They're small, but they still satisfy me.

thelast322 · Post by **thelast322** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:09 pm

Yes i believe the flowscans are the 9000 series. They do give you the instant Mpg..they talk to the gps. They do help, because when i am cruising at 2950 - 3000 rpm it only takes a small tap to the throttle to adjust the fuel burn rate from 12 Gph to fall down to 8-9 gph to achieve the same rpm..and same speed. That definetly is the savings there.. There ia a accumlator or totlizer for fuel gallon used and on the other print out it tells you the Nmpg. They were already on the boat when I bought them " Thank God" He paid a lot to install them. Also as a side note , as we all know not every engine is the same. For instance my stbd engine always burns 1-2 gph more. The tank fillings back up the flow scans. That is another reason to have them. They definetly do help. I also use the counter instead of the fuel gauge when running the tanks and switching. I know eactly what is on board and do not have to guess.

To awnser the F32 w the 351 Fords, the 16-21.5 kts is cruising speed on my boat at 2800-3000 rpm's. I go as fast as I can until the flowscans needle jumps off the fuel curve or opens the secondaries. The wot speed achieved was 29.6 knots "GPS".... the other times were 28 and some change. She is pretty frisky for a f32. The stbd engine was rebuilt at a machine shop in 2007 and the port has great compression with 755hrs. I keep it clean and never carry clutter. The 16 kts was what I acheived on our 205 mile boat trip in the begining when she was loaded down with everything and we were heading south on the Chesapeake to Solomons Island. I hope this helps