Can anyone identify this engine please?

[Goldcup101]

Hi, Just bought a 1997 196 Masters Edition with Perfect Pass as a project and am trying to identify the engine from photos as I don't physically have the boat yet. You can no longer make out many of the numbers on the engine id tag which makes things a bit tricky.

To complicate matters, the Nautique factory build sheet shows the engine as a 285hp model but I thought that the HO Carb model 351 had red valve covers? The brochure for 1998 (can't find a 1997 brochure) shows the carb options as 260hp or 290hp and the photo of the 290hp engine shows chrome valve covers so maybe it is a 285 (290) after all? Odd that the brochure refers to 290 and the factory build sheet to 285 unless the output was tweaked slightly between 1997 and 1998.

The engine top cover has obviously been lost.

I tried emailing PCM but they suggested it could even be a 302 and that wasn't even an engine option for this boat so it must be a 351. As far as I can ascertain, the engine hasn't been changed since new hence my confusion. Can anyone help?
Thanks, Calum

[azeus17]

5.8L is a Ford...probably a GT-40

[homer12]

Is your question 302 or 351? I think you answered that. It looks like an old 351W to me, Ford block made in Windsor. The valve covers are an easy change out and may not be original. I've looked for 351 valve covers before and there's some easy cheap stuff you can get for those engines - very common. I'd post at correctcraftfan.com if you can't find any answers here and they will know.

[NautiqueJeff]

1997 brochure is here:
http://www.planetnautique.com/Correc...97Brochure.pdf

That is likely the 260 HP 351. Some (including my 1998) had chrome valve covers. Maybe that was an option or something. Not sure.

Here's my 1998 260 HP 351 for comparison.

[Goldcup101]

Thanks all. I'd assumed it was the 260hp until I saw this:




Is the engine serial number loacted anywhere else on the engine? Seems odd that the build order has the 285hp on it. Even has the test speeds, weights etc when it left the factory. Has the 285 got any other identifying features?

[NautiqueJeff]

OK, I think my earlier post must be wrong based on your build sheet.

Those two engines will look very similar, but the HO version (the 285 HP version) will have GT40 heads and a slightly different cam.

Look for a GT cast into the heads on the front near the exhaust. If you find it, you have the 285 HP (HO version).

[Goldcup101]

Thanks Jeff, will look when the boat arrives. Or I could ask Nautique UK to look for me when they get the boat this week.
It's going straight to Nautique UK to be re-upholstered. No sign of a back seat or observers cushion turning up anywhere so far so they're going to make them as replicas of the OEM ones.