Ford 351W Rebuild |
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brianmax
Newbie Joined: February-20-2010 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Posted: February-20-2010 at 6:28pm |
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I am refurbishing my Ski Centurian from the fiberglass up.. Started with new stringers and transome,, now focussing on the engine. It is a 351W HO. Family members accused me of being insane to undertake this project...and they are quite correct, however, it would be a great "told you so" if my new/old boat spanks the pants off them when I'm done. So even though it will cost extra dollars..that I will never get back.. pride is involved here. So the question is.. what suggestions are there for increasing speed/horsepower on a 351W. BTW, the current heads are cracked..no leakage yet but would soon so considering purchasing new heads... Any advice out there?? :-)
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1989 Ski Centurion Ford 351W HO
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davidg
Grand Poobah Joined: January-07-2008 Location: NW Chicagoland Status: Offline Points: 2239 |
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Brian....welcome to the site.
It all depends on what your goals and budget are. You can bore your cylinders and go with oversized pistons...usually .030 over if never rebuilt. You can also add GT40-P heads, or maybe even go with aluminum heads, a custom cam,and an aluminum performance intake manifold. I rebuilt mine last winter, and just stayed with stock heads, stock cam, re-ringed existing pistons. I did not pick up any additional speed, but, I made it more reliable, and stopped a bad rear mainseal oil leak. My goal was not to build a horsepower monster...just a good running, good sounding 351 in which the bilge didn't look like the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez after every use. Again, consider your budget and goals. I am sure others will add their input as well. |
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Luchog
Grand Poobah Joined: April-17-2007 Location: Argentina Status: Offline Points: 2135 |
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If yours is a 351HO you might already have the GT40 heads, see for the casted barrs on the fron of the head or the casting numbers when you take them apart. If they are not, GT40P are the way to go. Is your engine LH or RH?
Most people here boosting their 351s also add an Edelbrock performer aluminium intake manifold and a Comp Cams Camshaft. You may also look for a new CNC propeller to add after the rebuild. Those are really nice add ons for the buck. |
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TRBenj
Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21125 |
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Luch, the HO 351w didnt debut until '92. Cam Research is the preferred cam shop for the Fords, not Comp.
Brian, its very easy to add about 80hp over stock to non-HO 351w (240-255hp) for a relatively small sum (~$1500) by upgrading the top end of the engine. Do a search, lots of info on here. Welcome to CCF! |
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brianmax
Newbie Joined: February-20-2010 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Very good advice and thank you to all. I am confused by the HO not being available till '92. My understanding was that the HO was defined by the presence of a 4 barrel carb (which mine has). What does define the HO?
I spoke with a dealer/mechanic today. He said that he was not sure about Indmar Fords but PCM Fords had special marine heads, pistons, cams, rockers, etc. Is that true? Just curious if I get a GT40 head, although it would fit, if it would work. He also said that the distributor had to be marine and not just one for a car due to the humidity. Is that true or just a dealer story? |
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1989 Ski Centurion Ford 351W HO
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brianmax
Newbie Joined: February-20-2010 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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The casting # on the head is E5AE CA. Not sure if LH or RH yet. Engine was sitting for 3 years so have not rotated it yet.
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1989 Ski Centurion Ford 351W HO
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davidg
Grand Poobah Joined: January-07-2008 Location: NW Chicagoland Status: Offline Points: 2239 |
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Brian;
To be able to tell if its RR or LR, when you stand behind the engine, which way does it rotate? If to the right, its a righty. If to the left, its a std. automotive rotation engine. On the distributor, marine units are sealed so the spark cannot get out and cause an explosion in the confined engine box. May be some other differences too, but, I believe thats the main one. To my knowledge, the heads, and pistons are std. automotive, or more specifically, truck components. I do not believe the std. 351's used in ski boats are marine special units. The cam is ground more like an RV cam and designed for low end pull (or torque), more like an RV cam, and not a high winding race cam. Of course the cam in a RH engine is made for that rotation. The GT40-P heads should bolt right up. If they come off of a 5.0 (302) as many of the "P" heads did, you will have to bore the head bolt holes up a little (to 1/2") so they will bolt on the 351. As it relates to HO, I am not very familiar with them. Some of the other guys I am sure are. |
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79nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872 |
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The distributor isn't sealed to make it marine, they use flame arrestors in the vents to prevent spark ignition.
Dist, starter and alternator all have to be marine and have spark prevention features. Clearances for the pistons and rings are different for the marine vs. auto other than that they are the same parts just need the correct size and gaps. If they are GT-40 heads they will have bars cast into them on the ends to identify them as gt-40's I believe yours are not based on the casting but Tim will be along soon to verify this. Most likely your engine is the same as a standard rotation engine CC was unique in that they used reverse rotation. Loook at you prop if the trailing edge to front edge of the prop blade goes to the left it's LH if it goes to the Right it's a RH and a reverse rotation engine. All this is done look from the transom to the bow as your standing behind the boat. |
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kapla
Grand Poobah Joined: March-27-2008 Location: BA, Argentina Status: Offline Points: 6148 |
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spec for the head...E5AE-CA / 67-70CC / 1.78/1.46 302 / 86-86
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<a href="">1992 ski nautique
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Question I do not know the answer to.
I am wanting to put an electronic distributor in a 1988 CC Ski Nautique. How do I tell if it is a 351W, 351C, 351M. Mallory says there are 2 distributors and I need to konw what one I have. Thanks Dennis |
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5771 |
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Not an exact answer to your question but you have a 351W, the cleveland motors were out of production in 1974 and the 351 Modified(destroked 400) was never used in a marine application at least not in a correct craft that I know of. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Thanks Alan....
I will order the distributor for the 351 W Dennis |
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Luchog
Grand Poobah Joined: April-17-2007 Location: Argentina Status: Offline Points: 2135 |
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keep in mind you'll need the old distributor gear or a new one since you engine is most likely RH rotation.
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Luciano....
Yes I know the dist. is right hand. Do you know if a prestolite gear and the size of it will fit the Mallory electronic ? Just the reverse Mallory gear is about $30.00. would be nice if I can use the old gear :) |
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JoeinNY
Grand Poobah Joined: October-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5693 |
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It would be nice but dont under estimate the importance of breaking a gear and cam in together. All the 351w reverse rotation gears I have seen end up being the same, but if you have a choice and can get a new gear I recommend doing so and installing with a good quality assembly lube. 30 dollars is cheap in the grand scheme of things.
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Joe.
Thanks for the advice. You are right $30.00 more after what I am putting in the boat is not worth a problem I do not need. I appreciate all the advice on CC Fan. Dennis |
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eric lavine
Grand Poobah Joined: August-13-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13413 |
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and 8.00 more for a good zinc addative...
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"the things you own will start to own you"
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brianmax
Newbie Joined: February-20-2010 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Thank you all for your help and advice. I have found out that I will have the unfortunate situation of having to be unemployed come June. So until I can obtain new employment and quantify how much month will be left over at the end of the money, I am going to have to mothball my 351W project. Hopefully I will be back soon asking my remedial questions. In the meantime I just wanted to say thank you and I am glad that I found this CC Forum resource.
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1989 Ski Centurion Ford 351W HO
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eric lavine
Grand Poobah Joined: August-13-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13413 |
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I'll let you know how much you'll have left over, count on zero
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"the things you own will start to own you"
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Guy's
I am ready to install my new Malory electronic distributor. I understand I need to hook up wires from the distributor as follows: Three wire hook up, works with stock coil and resistor. Green wire connects to the negative side of the coil. Red wire connects to the 12 volt side of the ballast resitor (resisted side of ballast goes to the positive side of coil). Brown wire goes to ground. Does this sound correct ? any other changes to expect ? Thanks for any responses Dennis |
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Eric,
What do you mean by a goog zink aditive for $8.oo My distributor (reverse rotation) came with the gear. Thanks |
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SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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Dennis - Did your distributor come with directions or a wiring diagram? On some EI systems, you are supposed to eliminate the ballast resistor, as that function is taken care of by the electronics.
Chris ('79) will know the correct installation from memory, I am sure. |
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Chris,
I purchased from SKIDIM that is where I received the notes I posted from their website. Just curious if somebody else has made the modification to Mallory. Where in Iowa are you ? I am in Rock Island, Il across from Davenport Dennis |
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SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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Dennis - I am in Cedar Falls, home of the UNI Panthers, who knocked off Kansas last week.
I am from Rock Island originally. My family used to keep boat(s)at Sunset Marina. My brother had the last Kalhke wood houseboat made (steamboat yard that made the famous Quinlan) - that was quite a boat. I don't get down there much anymore. Do you ski on the Rock river? Are you going to go to Green Lake? I would like to see your boat some day. On the dizzy hookup, Chris ('79) will give you good guidance, as he is an ignition system designer. |
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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LaurelLakeSkier
Senior Member Joined: February-12-2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 485 |
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Can you expand on the VR1 ? Thanks |
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LaurelLakeSkier
Senior Member Joined: February-12-2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 485 |
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There is a lot of discussion here about the use of oil in our older ford 351 engines. If you use the search function and enter valvoline ZR 1, ZDDP, Oil Additive or something similar you'll have a good day's reading ahead of you.
Here's a LInk to get you started. |
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Yes, I started searching.. Found the Valvoline VR1 Racing oil and others. Also the zink additive for break in period.
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82 Nautique 1
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2007 Location: Rock Island, IL Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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1988 rebuild update:
Started up my 351 rebuild today in the driveway with the flush-pro. What a wonderful sound to hear the engine purr. 20 minute break in, check timing 10 BTDC set idle... wow !!! On to refinishing the teak wood, install carpet and the new Nautique skins. Pictures to come as I progress. Dennis |
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brianmax
Newbie Joined: February-20-2010 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Congratulation! My 351w just went to the machine shop on Friday for honing. Hopefully my fist start will be as successful as yours. With respect to the Teak, I have found that sanding and multiple coats of varnish (saning in between coats) produces a very attractive result versus the petina of unprotected teak. In the end it is personal preference but I could share pictures if you like.
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1989 Ski Centurion Ford 351W HO
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