Greetings all,
I thought I would start this thread and give some of the details that I have planned for this winter. My plan is to replace my 305's with chevy 350's. I have done alot of research regarding rebuilding, replacing, 305 vs 350, Vortec vs Non-vortec etc. I have come to the following conclusions with the following issues:
1) My plan is to repower with Crusader "Power Pack"s. These are basically long blocks with Carb, choke, intake manifold, valve covers, plugs, distributor and wires, circ pump, timing cover, balancer, oil pan, fuel pump and flywheel. They are 325 HP at the fly wheel so they are more than enough power. One cannot beat the price for these motors (LH: $3628.00 and RH: $4635.00) I am getting them from "Marine Engines" in Mass. www.1800runsnew.com Free delivery to Connecticut.
2) My 305's which are in very good shape, but tired, could not plain the boat off with a full load of gear, water and fuel. Even during times of light load they would struggle and burn tons of fuel. So for me it is time to change.
3) My plan is to rebuild the trannies with the same company, but to leave the V-drives alone. I contacted Walter Engineering about my plan and they said that it was too much HP and too high of RPM. They said I needed new V-Drives (which cost more than the motors!!!) When I spoke to the Crusader reps at 2 different boat shows, they indicated to me that it was tork that would harm a v-drive and if I do not pitch up the propellers or drive the boat like a race boat, I should be fine. (I tend to agree) They did say that the v-drives were only designed for 4600 rpm and that I should plan to stay below that for most of my crusing. The optimum RPM for the new motors for curising is 3800 rpm. On my last voyage with the boat this year I stripped it down and ran it at 3900 rpm and I was doing over 29 knots on the GPS. I think crusing at 3800 rpm in the high twenties will be great !!!
4) To date, I have removed the engines and transmissions, and I just the other day removed both fuel tanks. I am waiting on quotes to make new fuel tanks. I want to see if I should put new ones in or reuse the old ones. The old ones are in really good shape on the bottoms but I just don't know if I want to risk it??? Any thoughts from anyone, I should have a price in a couple of days.
5) The next step is to clean and degrease the entire engine room and then paint it with Interlux Bilge Cote. Then to reinstall the replacement or old fuel tanks. (Will let you know)
To be continued ...
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Repowering
Posted - 10/13/2008 : 8:55:52 PM
