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Auto engine in boat.

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Case Man

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I bought a late 1970s 32 ft Nautaline houseboat with a single 318 last year. I use it only in Kentucky Lake. I knew that it was leaking exhaust around the intake when I bought it but it started smoking alot from exhaust. I have a good 318 from a 1994 van. Will it work in the boat.
 
Someone may have installed the intake gaskets improperly (a common errr on these motors). The little metal plates in the photo are ESSENTIAL to prevent ypur problem.

Jeff
 
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Technically, your van engine could be made to work in the boat. Unfortunately, however, it would be a lot easier if your van was built in the 70’s or 80’s. If the engine is original to the van (’94) it’s a Magnum. Although similar to the earlier LA 318’s, the Magnum’s have enough differences to make the swap a hassle......involving some customization and purchase of several new parts.

If you could find a 70’s/80’s (LA) automotive 318, it would be relatively easy to marineize……because most of the components from your 70’s marine engine will swap over.

That said, even you found a used 70’s/80’s auto engine to convert (on craigslist, etc.), it’ll probably need freshening up/rebuilding. Since any of these options require pulling your existing engine out of the boat, the best route may be to simply freshen up/rebuild that one. It doesn’t sound like you’ve had a catastrophic failure. Your issue may be resolved by a honing/new rings, a valve job, etc.

If you’re capable of doing some of this work yourself, it may be the cheapest option. If you’d pay someone, it’s worth comparing those costs against the cost of a remanufactured long block.

If you're set on making the '94 work, search recent posts on this forum. I think someone has done it.
 
fastjeff said:
Someone may have installed the intake gaskets improperly (a common errr on these motors). The little metal plates in the photo are ESSENTIAL to prevent ypur problem.

Jeff
Click to expand...
you got a picture of the part number?Those are fel pro marine looks like

what happened to that hurrikain fella David Kain I bet he know what those plates do

what has happened to this forum :mad:
 
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Case Man said:
I bought a late 1970s 32 ft Nautaline houseboat with a single 318 last year. I use it only in Kentucky Lake. I knew that it was leaking exhaust around the intake when I bought it but it started smoking alot from exhaust. I have a good 318 from a 1994 van. Will it work in the boat.
Click to expand...

Whats wrong with that one, the exhaust leak?Pullin the intake is not that bad I did have to pull the distributor to get the last bolt out
 
G/day fellers, had same problem with no gasket inserts so I cut two pieces of thin metal and drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the centre and put them in gasket ports, ankered them with heat resistant silicone and fitted manifold, still working well years later. Marvelous what you can do when your stuck.
Ossie
 
Single-engine boats (like Case Man's) will typically have standard rotation. Twin-engine set ups are more likely to have a reverse roation (one of the two).
 
bogdenz said:
Single-engine boats (like Case Man's) will typically have standard rotation. Twin-engine set ups are more likely to have a reverse roation (one of the two).
Click to expand...

Maybe, but both of my single engine boats(Lyman and Chris Craft) were right hand engines.
 
Good work, Ossie!

Sammi: The transmission reverses one of your props. All newer inboards (and outdrives) are now that way.

Jeff
 
fastjeff said:
Good work, Ossie!

Sammi: The transmission reverses one of your props. All newer inboards (and outdrives) are now that way.

Jeff
Click to expand...

He said he has a late 70's 318. I have a 1977 318 in my lyman(single engine) and it is a right hand engine (ie standing behind it it turns clockwise as does my propeller).
 
Here check it out, I swapped in a 360 magnum & posted some of the problems you will run into with the the 318 except the balance issue. Keep in mind mine is fresh water cooled so I did not have to worry about corrosion like a raw water system. A good intake for the magnum engines is the crosswind intake as it's drilled for both style heads & the thermostat bolts are cast like the old style & not at a angle like the Mopar M1 or the air gap intakes .. Just remember to use all of your older marine parts on the newer engine.
http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?t=376486
 
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Thanks for the advise. I will take the engine out and have a look at it before I decide what to do. I can handle honing the cylinders and replacing rings. I kind of like the idle of having the fuel injected engine. I have been the service manager at a Case construction equipment dealership for over 26 years and still do a lot of field work when no one else can handle it. I'll let you know what I end up doing. Case Man.
 
Check your compression first to see if the engine is tired. If they are even in all cyc then just address the intake gasket issue. If you go magnum I'd step up to the 360!
 
Re: " I kind of like the idle of having the fuel injected engine."

Electronic modules designed for cars and trucks are often quite unhappy in a marine environment.
 
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