Click for Mag Bay Click for Nordhavn Click for Northern Lights Click for Ocean Alexander Click for JetForums

battling a re-power question on 33' Convertible

Discussion in 'Viking Yacht' started by Al Johnson, May 7, 2020.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. Al Johnson

    Al Johnson New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    long island,ny
    I've been struggling with rebuild of the original 351 Palmer engines and have come into a Covid 19 essential worker bonus that has me considering new rebuilds. In the interim I had purchased what I thought were a pair of good 302's as a temporary fix to get me out cruising, however I was misled and taken for a different kind of ride.

    My question for the group is should I go with 302 long blocks or stay with the 351's? I know displacement is king, but all the ancillary parts on the 351's are original and look like failure may be imminent in the not so distant future. The 302's on the other had have a lot of replaced, upgraded ancillary pieces and I feel are in much better shape than the others. Manifolds and risers are a given on either choice.

    Lastly, I could go to short blocks rather than long blocks and consider the use of my early 351 heads (reconditioned of course) to get the larger valves and combustion area with the necessary turned head bolts.

    Thoughts either way would be greatly appreciated.
  2. boatpoor

    boatpoor Active Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Location:
    32407
    I like to put the 302 heads on a 351 Windsor block. The smaller combustion chambers will give you more compression and boost performance considerably.
  3. Al Johnson

    Al Johnson New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    long island,ny
    I thought I read somewhere the bigger valves would give you more low end torque, which I thought would benefit the smaller displacement in a heavy boat. The newer 302's produce more hp than the 73 351's anyway if I was reading it right.
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    On a 33' boat, you need cubes.
    Go to Pep Boys and get the correct 351 whole long block. Swap the cams and go fishing.

    If there a reason you want to stay with the Ford blocks?
    Consider LBCs?
  5. Al Johnson

    Al Johnson New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    long island,ny
    I don't have Chevy bellhousings for the transmissions.
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    What clutches do you have? Borg or Paragon?
  7. boatpoor

    boatpoor Active Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Location:
    32407
    The last 351 I put together with 302 heads went in a Correct Craft Southwind 20. We went up 2'' in pitch on the wheel and the boat is still running today, and Ralph is correct, don't go down in cubic inches and try to squeeze out more hp in a heavy boat.
  8. Al Johnson

    Al Johnson New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    long island,ny
    ok, so I went with a new pair of 351's and want them painted the original color. Problem is that I don't know what that is. I had some yellow-orange color on the ones I took out. Anyone know the correct color?