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conversion parts for 350 chevy using the 351 trans

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Printed Date: April-30-2025 at 10:51pm


Topic: conversion parts for 350 chevy using the 351 trans
Posted By: rippbj
Subject: conversion parts for 350 chevy using the 351 trans
Date Posted: April-30-2025 at 9:51am
Hi,
     I have a Mercruiser 350 chevy engine and a 1989 Ski Nautique with a blown engine.  Does anyone have any conversion parts or source to marry the 350 with the 351 Windsor transmission?  Thanks!


-------------
Brad Ripp
Pearl River, LA
88 Barefoot Nautique



Replies:
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: April-30-2025 at 7:27pm
Is this a Mercruiser from an inboard-outboard that you're working with?

The biggest thing you'll need is a bellhousing to mate the Chevy engine to your 1989 PCM Model 40A transmission.

There are plenty of them out there new or used, (same mounting bolt pattern as a Borg Warner 71c,) but........you need to know what this Mercruiser engine has for a flywheel. It'll be either 168 teeth (14 inch diameter) or 153 teeth (about 12 3/4 inch diameter

Your starter location also comes into play. You might have a bottom mounted front entry starter (just like the automotive location) or a top mount rear entry starter on your engine.

With that info you can come up with a bellhousing that'll work. Some of the bellhousings will work with either starter and some only work with one style or the other.

It won't matter if the bellhousing is from a Mercruiser 350 inboard, A PCM Chevy, an Indmar Chevy or a handful of other brands as long as it will adapt the engine to an inboard style transmission

You'll also need a damper plate to bolt to the flywheel, but the good news is that the one on your Ford  now for the PCM 40A transmission will also fit the Chevy flywheel. There are multiple mounting holes that can be used. 

If yours isn't in good shape, now would be the time to replace it. The only way to get one for the 40A is thru PCM and it gets kinda pricey.

There are plenty of inboards that used Mercruiser inboard engines in the 80's and 90's so parts should be relatively easy to find.

I'll guess that your starter is in the automotive location but won't guess which flywheel you have Wink





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