Marinized Chrysler Engines

[Bellsouth Newsgroups]

I own a boat with twin Chrysler 360's, 1976 vintage. The engines are
opposite rotation. I would like to replace the engines with new crate
360's.

Lets see, where do I start...

I use a heat exchanger, so the cooling system should be fine, other than a
desire to use a lower temp stat and the marine water pump (not as long a
pully neck).
What about ignition system and fuel injection; can I use marine aftermarket
controllers on the crate engine
What about cams; can I use the same grind as on my current engines or will I
need to have the grinds re-engineered given the rollers and marine torque /
horsepower curves.
Have the exhaust manifolds bolt patterns changed or will I be able to use
new standard marine manifolds.

What have I missed? Any ideas or thoughts.

[Steve]

Bellsouth Newsgroups wrote:

> I own a boat with twin Chrysler 360's, 1976 vintage. The engines are
> opposite rotation. I would like to replace the engines with new crate
> 360's.
>
> Lets see, where do I start...
>
> I use a heat exchanger, so the cooling system should be fine, other than a
> desire to use a lower temp stat and the marine water pump (not as long a
> pully neck).

The carbureted 360 Magnum crate engine accepts the same waterpump
mountings as all other 360s so you should be fine there.

> What about ignition system and fuel injection; can I use marine aftermarket
> controllers on the crate engine

Aren't your existing engines carbureted? Are you considering upgrading
to EFI? If so, then I don't know for sure what your options are, since I
don't know of any marine-rated systems for the 360. If there is a
marinized throttle-body EFI setup (like Holley Projection for cars) then
it should work, but if it requires port EFI you'll have to modify the
Crate Motor intake manifold for injectors. Fortunately I think that the
M1 manifold comes with fuel injector bosses already cast in but not
drilled out.

> What about cams; can I use the same grind as on my current engines or will I
> need to have the grinds re-engineered given the rollers and marine torque /
> horsepower curves.

The crate motor cams would be *awful* marine cams, I suspect. You cannot
use your current non-roller cams directly in a crate 360, BUT you can
use them if you convert the crate 360 to non-roller lifters (use
hydraulic lifters for an AMC 360 and HOLLLOW pushrods to properly oil
the overhead of the crate engine.) People do this in order to use higher
performance cams in the crate motors in cars all the time, so you could
also do it to utilize a proven marine cam grind.

> Have the exhaust manifolds bolt patterns changed or will I be able to use
> new standard marine manifolds.

Bolt patterns are the same BUT the ports are raised slightly higher on
the new Magnum heads. This isn't usually a problem on cars since it just
moves the exhaust manifolds up 1/2 inch, but given the tight spaces and
constrained exhaust plumbing of most boats, I'm not so sure.

>
> What have I missed? Any ideas or thoughts.
>

Even if you can use a crate motor for the forward-rotation engine, what
about the reverse-rotation engine? The knurling on the crate-motor
crankshaft will be cut at the correct angle for forward rotation, and
even if you swapped the cam to make it run backwards, you'll have a huge
oil leak at the rear main because of the knurling.

I'm not a marine engine expert, so be aware that I've probably MISSED
more "gotchas" than I've caught. There might be a company out there that
has worked out what it takes to "marinize" the Magnum 360, but if you
ask me you'd be much better off to freshen up your existing engines so
you can use the heads you've already got. Besides, I think the
valvetrain on the old (non-Magnum) 360 is much stronger and more stable
(shaft-mounted rockers instead of stud-mounted) anyway.

[Mike Behnke]

Check here for rebuilt long blocks. Probably cheaper than new crate
motors.

http://www.remanufactured-marine-engines.com/chrysler-marine-engine-832.html

http://www.remanufactured-marine-engines.com/chrysler-marine-engine-833.html

--

[RWatson767]

Tony
>Marinized Chrysler Engines

>I own a boat with twin Chrysler 360's, 1976 vintage. The engines are opposite
rotation. I would like to replace the engines with new crate 360's.<

FWIW I was at the dealer getting some work done yesterday and spent my sitting
time perusing the MOPAR magazines in the waiting room. I wold write the
magazine and ask for their recommendations. From the questions and answers
printed in the magazine it is obvious your answer would be well and
authoritively (sp?) answered.

Juat a side point from a non boat person/desert-rat type a pair of 360s must
make a boat get with it. How big is the boat?
Bob AZ

[Oppie]

afik - the reverse rotation is accommodated by a special cam and starter.
The accessories like the alternator also have a fan that is reverse
direction. likewise the impellers for the water pump and feedwater pump.
Oppie
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