Forrest
06-29-2000, 12:05 PM
OK Donzi folks, here is a question that maybe one or more you engine guys can help me with. The 'ol Magnum is getting to the point where she's going to need a fresh pair of small-block Chevrolets. Presently, both engines are two-piece rear main type (pre-1986)with TRW flat-top forged pistons, 76 cc heads (intake gasket matched), CompCams 280 Magnum cam, Weiand Stealth intake, 600 CFM vacuum secondary Holley marine carb. The port engine has a fair amount of piston slap, but runs fine, and the starboard engine recently got a good amount of salt water in the oil from a crack in the cylinder head. The head was replaced, the short block was flushed in place, and the oil was change twice before putting the boat back in the water. Now, using 20W50 Kendall GT-1, the oil pressure ain't what it used to be and the harder you run it, the lower the oil pressure drops while at the same time, the oil temp goes up; however, the water temp stays normal (150). Switching to straight SAE 50 GT-1 has helped greatly, but I know that I'm running on borrowed time. I would just like to "borrow" enough time to make through to October. After all, I have two engines and if one gives up while out in the Gulf, I can always limp back home on the other. Without a doubt, until the engines are replaced, I will have to do *much* more leisurely cruising between 2500 and 3500 RPM than running FW.
The big question is, which small block Chevrolet crate engines do you recommend that I purchase and from where. At first, I considered building a couple of SECO Performance Center (http://www.secoperformance.com/)/Wheeler MotorSport 383's like I did for my X-18 and use Vortex heads, but I have decided that I don't need any new upcoming drawn-out projects. I looked at some of the deals on the Internet(of course) at Marine Engines, Inc. (http://www.marine-engines-inc.com/gm04.htm). This crate engine looks great and the price is right, but I will need flywheels and Volvo couplers for the one-piece rear-main-seal type engine and go to electric fuel pumps. I can handle that. I would really like a Vortex 383 (I think). The only one that I was able to find is over at Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center (http://sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=120&pid=465), but it is not marine, and I would have to open it up and replace the head gasket in addition to the flywheel coupler thing, and also it doesn't have the cast-in brass water-passage insert in the intake manifold, and I'm not sure about the cam. Shipping is free from these folks, though. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on which way I should go or what I should look at, please let me know. Please don't recommend anything with aluminum heads. The warm salt-water down here is murder on aluminum heads and intake manifolds . . . though I would love to have engines with the new fast-burn heads. I'm sort of looking the around $3-grand per engine range but that is not set in stone. I won't need to purchase carburetors, ignition, Stainless Marine cooling parts, etc, since I already have that stuff. I'm looking to do a quick turn-around once I get the parts and get the boat back in the dry storage. Thanks.
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Forrest
[This message has been edited by Forrest (edited 06-29-2000).]
The big question is, which small block Chevrolet crate engines do you recommend that I purchase and from where. At first, I considered building a couple of SECO Performance Center (http://www.secoperformance.com/)/Wheeler MotorSport 383's like I did for my X-18 and use Vortex heads, but I have decided that I don't need any new upcoming drawn-out projects. I looked at some of the deals on the Internet(of course) at Marine Engines, Inc. (http://www.marine-engines-inc.com/gm04.htm). This crate engine looks great and the price is right, but I will need flywheels and Volvo couplers for the one-piece rear-main-seal type engine and go to electric fuel pumps. I can handle that. I would really like a Vortex 383 (I think). The only one that I was able to find is over at Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center (http://sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=120&pid=465), but it is not marine, and I would have to open it up and replace the head gasket in addition to the flywheel coupler thing, and also it doesn't have the cast-in brass water-passage insert in the intake manifold, and I'm not sure about the cam. Shipping is free from these folks, though. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on which way I should go or what I should look at, please let me know. Please don't recommend anything with aluminum heads. The warm salt-water down here is murder on aluminum heads and intake manifolds . . . though I would love to have engines with the new fast-burn heads. I'm sort of looking the around $3-grand per engine range but that is not set in stone. I won't need to purchase carburetors, ignition, Stainless Marine cooling parts, etc, since I already have that stuff. I'm looking to do a quick turn-around once I get the parts and get the boat back in the dry storage. Thanks.
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Forrest
[This message has been edited by Forrest (edited 06-29-2000).]