need expertise on SBC marine building

[Sherpa]

I've built quite a few small blocks for myself for pickups and cars, but not
for a boat before.

tell-tale has it that marine motors have slightly different clearance specs
on them...

I'm on the fence about purchasing a 24 foot boat for diving, and the
motor has a low-end rod knock (owner accidently ran it out of oil)

motor still runs, but knocks. sounds like it'll at least need all bottom-end
bearings, possibly a crank, maybe more. no big deal. hopefully it didn't
spin any bearings in the journals....


so marine motor experts, what do I need to do differently to build a
marine engine-?

this is a 260hp SBC 350... I'd like to end up with about 350 horse

out of it.

--Sherpa

[BDMar]

Building a marine engine is totally different. Slightly more main and rod bearing clearance, a little more piston to wall clearance, different ring gaps, etc. etc. Higher quality parts also, rings bearings, pistons, oil pump, valves, head gaskets, etc.
Properly done the engine is basically blueprinted if you want a long service life.
How do you accidently run an engine out of oil?? :confused::eek:

[Sherpa]

thanks for the responses. I appreciate it very much.

owner ran the motor out of oil due to stacked oil filter gaskets from an
oil change service.. (didn't ask him if it was his fault, or a shop)

the oil pressure overcame the 2-stacked gaskets and pumped all the oil
into the bilge.

motor only knocked when reved... might not be too bad. motor hours are
630... I'd do a full tear-down and rebuild.

engine is a center-head bolt 97 vintage 350. boat is an inboard direct-
drive 24 foot hull. she doesn't look like a fast boat at all.

would a 383 motor be a suitable engine for such an application?

--thanks guys.!

--Sherpa

[RiverDave]

I think it'd be perfect! :D

Truthfully if it's a direct drive center console.. It's probably not going to go any faster with additional HP.. Just cost more in fuel.

RD

[Sherpa]

thanks for the inputs guys....

the owner "played" the whole sale thing, and ended up selling to someone
offering a bit more than myself.... little rat bastard.

oh well. I saved 13k........... (for the boat, and probably would have
invested another 5-8k finishing it)

--Scott

[BDMar]

It may be a blessing in disguise!!! My experience is when you buy something that has a problem of that magnatude it usually means that is just the biginning of problems you'll run into..
Good luck