new to ski nautique

[PTFD1819]

i just purchased an 81 ski nautique correct craft it is something like 19' the guy i got it from said any way.

while not new to boats this is unlike anything i have ever owned

is the engine counter rotating?
the guy i got it from says it had a 302 originally but now it has a 351 does this make sense would they both have the same bell housing?

any way i know nothing about CC's but i am eager to learn anything i can about this boat

it does not run? well some one helped themself to the carb and distributor, i plan on doing a compression check on it
any other things i need to be looking for, i have never owned a ford engine ever not in a boat not in a vehicle.

[surroundsound64]

RE: new to ski nautique

Congrats onthe buy!!! Most 81s have the 351, mine has the 350. You can contact a dealer about the parts you need.

[Rick]

RE: new to ski nautique

1981 should be counterratating. You need a holley 4160 Marine carb I would et an electronic distributor while replacing te missing one. SKIDIM has a discount on theos site and can supply any parts you need to get it running.

[Fast351]

Re: new to ski nautique

the guy i got it from says it had a 302 originally but now it has a 351 does this make sense would they both have the same bell housing?

Not sure about the rest of your questions, but that is correct. As a matter of fact, except for some internals, the only difference between a 302 and a 351 is the deck height and the distributor. The higher deck height increases the stroke giving the extra displacement. It also requires a wider intake. The distributor has a thicker shaft than a 302 (depending on the year) so they may or may not interchange.

Everything else is the same. The water pumps, timing chains, engine mounts, bellhousings, etc etc etc all are the same.