"Hi Mark,
To be honest with
"Hi Mark,
To be honest with you, I didn't know the 361 was even used in marine use until now. It is commonly thought of as a truck block, with different crankshaft nose and pulley requirements up front, but I think most all the other FE engine parts will bolt on. Not sure about the intakes.
The truck blocks would make a great marine motor, reinforced, and most had a forged steel crankshaft too. Even the 427 didn't come with a steel crank, the cast iron one was thought to be very good and I guess they didn't need it. The 390 shares the same crank with the 427.
My Interceptor manual shows three motors, the 352 at 250-hp, the 390 at 285, and the 427 at 300.
Since my manual shows the 427, it was apparently a 1965 or 66 manual. I know Chris Craft, for instance, didn't use the 427 until 1966. Of course, Ford didn't build a 427 until half way through 1963, so that helps narrow it down a bit.
The 390 is well capable of 300-hp, and I understand Interceptor (Eaton Dearborn Marine) provided Higging with a 400-hp version of the 390. Not sure just how accurate this is, but MISS HIGGY, a Higgins a buddy of mine has, with a 390, came from Higgins (so he says) with the 400-hp option.
With the added cubes, it is realistic to think the 361 would produce 260-hp. The heads are the same as all the other FE motors, to my recollection, which means they can be cleaned up a bit and perform very well, indeed, if some free additional horsepower is desired at rebuild time.
Just for a point of information, here are a couple scans from my chris craft site, for your reading enjoyment and 3-ring binder!
http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/message/1123099503
Regards, P
http://www.chriscraftcommander.com"