89 SN Ford 351w engine replacement

[ozarkcountry]

1989 Ski Nautique 351w engine replacement issue. I assume the ’89 is standard rotation. What is difference between long and short block?
At first use this season plugs were “apparently” left out; ran about a mile, engine overheated and when back at dock discovered oil filter had blown off and oil all over the bilge. Cleaned up the mess, new oil filter and oil. Boat starts but has a knock in it and temp goes up quickly
Without even looking at the boat marina says I need a new engine. I know they’re probably right but would like forum’s comments also. Marina says replacement engine for ’89 Ford 351w will probably be hard to find.
Found this on the web: https://spprecision.com/products/351...gine-sale.html
“core” would have to be sent to them and would have to be OK. They would rebuild in about a week; long block $1500 and short block $800. Designed as “crate engine”.
Does Forum have any experience with this company and if so what? Not shure what is exactly meant by “ok core”. What are my chances of my core being “ok”?
Thanks gang; this is my first post.
Jerry

[MrJake]

Hello Jerry (Hello Newman):Trying to be funny.

Anyhow, make sure you get the correct rotation. Standing at the back of of the engine, which way does your engine rotate. Since you can't see your fly wheel, you can take a peek at your harmonic balancer at the front of the engine and figure it out. Clockwise is right rotation. Counter Clockwise is left rotation. My old '79 Ski had a right rotation. We ASSUMED my buddies '92 sport had a right rotation engine. Ordered him a right rotation short block, tried to drop the distributor drive shaft into it's position, and it wouldn't engage the CAM. That's just one of the issues with getting the incorrect rotation motor. We had to pull the motor apart and swap out the CAM. Anyway, just make sure of your rotation.

Long Block vs Short Block. Long block is more of a complete engine. Long block would have heads installed, possibly oil pan with gaskets, and valve covers with gaskets. With the short block, you would take most of the items off of your current engine and install them onto the new "short block". If you go with a short block, you may want to have your heads looked at. Possibly machine the heads and have a valve job done. If you go with a long block, the heads "should" already be good to go.

I have no experience with XP Performance. I do have experience with Rapido Marine ( https://www.rapidomarine.com). I have purchased 2 short blocks from these guys and have had no issues (except for me ordering the incorrect rotation for my buddies Sport). They DON'T charge for a core which is nice. They just ship you the motor. The "OK Core" you mention is the condition of your old motor. Can EP Performance take your old block and rebuild it and use it. If they cannot due to some unseen damage internally, you'll most likely have to pay more.

I've been running my Rapido 351W (right rotation) for 13 years now with no issues. My buddies Sport (351W standard left rotation) has been perfect now for about 8 years.

Good Luck. Let me know if you have any other questions or if I need to explain myself better. I tend to ramble.

Doug

[hal2814]

Most 89s are going to be standard (left hand) rotation engine with a right hand prop. That was the first year of the 1.23:1 transmission. There should be a tag on the engine that will let you rotation among other things. I’d also recommend rapido. I’ve never bought a Ford block from them but did get a 4.3L long block for an older Mercruiser I/O I used to own.