Engine Swap

[Konky81Nauti]

I was wondering if anyone new what a Ford to Chevy engine swap in an 80's Ski Nautique entailed. Is it worth it, or even possible?

[Daryl]

don't see how it could possibly be worth it unless you had a perfectly good Chevy and a totally blown Ford.

[thevogt]

I agree with Daryl. What is your situation? Why do you ask? If you have a messed up Ford, maybe some one can guide you in the repair if you need help. This place is great for that. Just describe the problem as best you can, and we'll try to help you.

Gary

[Konky81Nauti]

Well Ive been battling with this Ford motor for about 3 weeks now and it seems like im close to getting it started, then smack in the face i have nothing. It is a 1981 SN with a Ford 351. Ive tried both firing orders (1 3 7 2 6 5 4 8) and (1 8 4 5 6 2 7 3) and they both hit on one cylinder it sounds like occasionaly. Ive put new wires on it along with the Mallory breakerless ignition on it. The ignition module conversion did not fit the distributor perfectly, so we had to fabricate it to mount correctly in the housing. We then rebuilt the holley carb, and put new plugs in. Prior to replacing any of this, a starter had to be installed as the old one was shot. I got it from O'Reillys referenced off an 81 Ford truck. The starters matched up perfectly. I assumed that they both had the same rotation (opposite of chevy's). Now the battery and starter have to labor to turn the engine over (not to the point where it is seized though). So I have a big charger on it and I can get about 10 good tries at turning it over at a decent speed before it looses its juice. I took all the plugs out and turned it over without them and it spooled up without a problem (free-flowing). The reason I posted regarding a conversion is because I have a newly built Chevy 355 motor that was built for an earlier project car that fell through. Im am very familiar w/ chevys, but i have a bad taste in my mouth so far with this ford. Thanks for your time and suggestions.
-Mike

[882001]

my 88 is a reverse rotation motor so a car starter will not work. i would imagine that yours is too. and the breakerless ign can be installed 2 ways, reg rotation and reverse. i do understand the not liking ford thing, but it is not cost effective to do the swap. i looked into doing this too. rebuild your reverse rotation starter. oh i hope you didnt trade it in

[wburg64]

Your right, the engine is reverse rotation, as far as the magnetic plate if you reverse the wires it will retard the timming, however it will run, use a timming light. If it shows retarded timming change the wires.. The starter is trying to fire the engine backwards, get the right starter.

[Tranner]

I just ran into this same problem. I put a standard rotations starter in my 85 2001 and it turned the motor the wrong way. Ended up wasting my battery and blowing my starter solenoid up. Went back, got the correct rotation starter (counter clockwise, CCW) and it fired right up.

[Konky81Nauti]

wow i feel like an idiot...didnt even think about that. thanks so much. I just got off the phone w/ the local dealer here and he said he would have to order it and it would be around $200. Im so pissed at myself because I traded in that old starter as a core :x . Anyone have any better ideas ? the guy at the dealership metioned having someone rebuild the new starter for opposite rotation, but he said its hard to find someone that would do it... any suggestions? oh and as i understand its a r.h. rotation correct?... so the firing order would be the 1 8 4 5 6 2 7 3? thanks again yall
-mike

[Tranner]

Yes, right hand rotation/reverse rotation. For boats you look which way the flywheel spins (just learned myself in the past couple weks). The firing order you mentioned is the same as my 85 with 351W in it. That sounds right.

[Konky81Nauti]

sounds good...Tranner, how much did you drop on your new starter? or did you have the old core still. Ive been calling around and the cheapest I can find it is $179 plus tax from O'Reillys through their marine contacts. Anywhere else was $200+...

[882001]

try ebay sometimes people part out old nauties. thats a bummer.but cheaper than a motor swap.

[thevogt]

See if the parts store still has your core. If they do, return the starter as "wrong application" or "you said it would work" as the reason. If you have a good rebuilder nearby, take it to them and have it rebuilt. Once you get the rotation riddle solved, it should be easy to isolate the problem(s). Also, look here for manuals and brochures for some insight into your boat.

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/reference/

Scroll down for manuals on PCM engines and such.

Gary

[Konky81Nauti]

thanks guys...Ive ordered one from the local O'Reilly's from their marine contacts because they already sent in my core, but its going to run me about $140 for a reman (because I am able to return the wrong starter and get compensated for the core). Again thanks for your help...im sure ill be on here often as I am just starting this restoration.
-Mike

[1975CCMustang]

I would stick to the ford because all your motor mounts and stuff will match up. GM is a little different. The CAR engine would not be a good Idea because it is not marinized. All the gaskets and such are for marine use also NEVER run a street carb in a boat. Not only do the floats not work properly it can cause a fire with the gas pooling on the throttle plates. The marine carb will dump the gas into the intake and not vaporize in your engine compartment. I have a 1975 CC Mustang PCM 302 Ford almost 1,000 hrs and it runs like a top! I rebuilt my starter, New Carb, Breakerless ignition, Etc....

[882001]

well konk what was the final outcome