engine replacement

tnelk · Post by **tnelk** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:56 am

I am planning on replacing both engines this winter on a '79 F30. Currently running Chrys 318's. Any suggestions on the smartest choice for replacement. The vessel will be used for offshore fishing, usually 50-80 miles out. Need good cruise speed with maximum fuel efficiency.

Lawman · Post by **Lawman** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 10:55 am

-- Welcome to the forum ! -- I have an f30 and love the 318's, they are easy to work on and are strong and very fuel efficient. When I need to repower I'm going to rebuild both of them, it's the cheapest way to go. Just my opinion.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 11:12 am

I'm in the whole Chrysler hasn't made a marine engine in 20 yrs camp. Meaning that there is no factory legacy support, and no factory parts anymore. As time goes by and less and less of these engines are in service parts are going to become more scarce and prices will eventually be out of sight. Sooner or later things will begin to become NLA. If you remember how popular Gray Marine was in the last century you will understand exactly what I mean. Try to find a manifold for a Gray engine. They stopped production about 15 yrs before Chrysler. I anticipate the same problems sourcing parts for Chrysler blocks before too long.

GM blocks were a sticking point for me when I was out looking for an F-32 over the summer. At least when the government propped up GM awhile back (a la Chrysler in the Lee Iacocca era) they didn't force them to cease marine engine production as they did to Chrysler. 305 and 350 parts are among the most plentiful anywhere, espescially in the USA. So thats my 2 cents anyhow.

I wonder what kind of engines Paul would reccomend?

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 11:22 am

Paul,

I would take a wild, calculated Guess or just a WAG and would vote for big "D" as would I though I do not have them.

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:10 pm

Well, you certainly can't go wrong a with Chevy power plant. Parts are available everywhere.

If you go the Chevy route, stick with the Crusader application.
Good luck.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:13 pm

I think the 318 was a better marine engine the ford or Chevy every was . And you can still get parts , but not as easy as a Chevy for sure . so if going new I would look at a Chevy base engine . Remember many of the new engines are no longer available in opposite rotation . so you could be looking at a gear box change or 2 . and the F30 is a tight fit

redoing the 318s maybe a good option depending on what is needed , But nothing like a new set of small blocks

Diesels ? I came close on my F30 clean Machine , looked at Nanni diesels ( Toyota base) Yanmar was $$$$ ( also Toyota base in many cases ) But a F36 put a stop to it

As far as black or blue ? ( crusader or merc) the both have pros and cons . My choice would be Merc mainly because I Like the merc dealer near and parts are very easy to get.

Just a personal choice , both are good

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:16 pm

The previous owner re-powered my 30' Sea Raider with merc 350's. I think it originally had ford 302's. I don't have any comparison but they are great. Top clearance is very close, had to shave some insulation off the engine covers....mine are throttle body injected and are pretty economical with plenty of power................John

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:31 pm

Chevy's/Crusaders are easier to get parts for these days.

50-80 miles out in an F30? wow ... not me. That's our trip here, and I would not do it in an F32, or an F30.

Too rough - and too much gas (you'll end up burning 150-300 gallons of gasoline for a 150mile day trip to the ledge and back on plane). Rather go in a bigger, deeper V sportie with diesels or a 26-32' center console with a pair of 4-stroke OBs or Optimaxes, but to each his own.

DAVIDLOFLAND · Post by **DAVIDLOFLAND** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:05 pm

Love my Mercruiser 350 Chevys. Gonna go back with the same thing on the next re-power. They were originally Mercruiser 228's (305 Chevy's) which had 3600 hours on both. I longblocked them with reman 350's, and now have another 1300 hours on 'em. Close to 5000 hours total, and they're still stong.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:40 pm

I agree with Ross , the F30 is not a off shore boat You will need to pick you days for sure

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 1:34 pm

DAVIDLOFLAND wrote:Love my Mercruiser 350 Chevys. Gonna go back with the same thing on the next re-power. They were originally Mercruiser 228's (305 Chevy's) which had 3600 hours on both. I longblocked them with reman 350's, and now have another 1300 hours on 'em. Close to 5000 hours total, and they're still stong.

I have the 228's also. Planning on doing the exact same thing when the time comes. Only at 1500 freshwater hours. Probably some time left in them yet.

antlr-king · Post by **antlr-king** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:25 am

Lawman wrote:-- Welcome to the forum ! -- I have an f30 and love the 318's, they are easy to work on and are strong and very fuel efficient. When I need to repower I'm going to rebuild both of them, it's the cheapest way to go. Just my opinion.

hey lawman, what kind of speed do you get with your 318's, and what is the fuel consumption per hour? thanks..

Lawman · Post by **Lawman** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:50 am

Straight Velvet Drives 1:1. I've done 30mph WOT, 22 mph @ 3000 (GPS) Turning 14x11 props (cupped) ! Fast Boat ! At cruise (2000rpm) I usually average 14 gph.

antlr-king · Post by **antlr-king** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:34 pm

wow, thats very good. i hope to get that after the reman long blocks are installed.