Chris Craft and Ford Mustang V8

[FraserB]

I have a classic chris craft motor boat (like the riva) with no engine and a 1985 Ford Mustang 5lt V8 engine. Am I mad to contemplate putting the two together? Basic advice would be appreciated for starters. Thanks Fraser B

[Jango]

Will work fine if you do it right.

1. Starter and Alternator needs to be for marine application - closed to prevent sparks from getting in Engine area.
2. If carburated, must use marine carb - prevent gas & fumes from getting out + flame arrestor
3. Should use a truck type cam - 96 & newer "Explorer HO" (tremendous torque, great cam for stock type motor)
4.ALL gasgets exposed to water should be Stainless steel or copper.

Research the threads in "Marinizing" in this section.

[FraserB]

Thanks for the information. A guess before answering the "how to" I need to answer the "should I". Will this be a good (fast) engine for the boat or will it just be a pain in the bh? Is it a good solution or a crazy undertaking that might cost more than a suitable new marine engine? Thanks, F

[Jango]

Cost will depend on how the undertaking will be done. If you purchase all the necessary Marine "Stuff" new and do your oun work, you're probably looking at $3000 - $4000 (transmission, Exhaust, raw water pump,motor marization stuff, etc). Cost of a new Marine V8 will run between $10,000 & $14000. Buying used could reduce costs by 1/2.

Chris Crafts used 180 - 220 Hp chevy V8,s which provided speeds around 40mph. A stock 5.0 Ford should do at least that speed. I have a 5.0 Ford stroked to 327cu in, Producing 450HP in my 20' Mahogany Runabout (modern cold formed construction) which does in excess of 80 MPH.

My question would be: Should a classic boat be instead restored to original?

[FraserB]

Ok, thanks. So it can be done. (albeit should it be done). The boat came with an old marinized engine that no longer works. Of your estimate of 3-4k for parts, how much of this engine could be used to adapt my Ford engine or are the parts I need really specific to the Mustang V8?

[charmc]

FraserB,

Welcome aboard. Jango is giving you good answers. The "should I" question, IMHO, breaks down into: Do I restore this classic to original specs and materials? This would yield the maximum value, but also be the maximum cost; if the value is high enough you might not use it very much, making it a museum piece. Locating, buying, and restoring an original engine can be something to empty the pockets of even a multimillionaire.

Part of the question is: Do I want a museum piece or do I want to use this classic boat regularly? If you want to use it more than occasionally, then a modern powertrain is probably the way to go. There are many wood classics with modern engines, including some of the world's best known boats.

If you decide to go with a modern drivetrain, Jango has good advice. I agree with his numbers on the various options. One final word from personal experience: I owned and restored a classic wood hull Pacemaker, a 30' sportfisherman. It had been repowered before I bought it, with a 1972 Palmer 220 HP V8, which was a marinized 302 (5.0 L) Ford block. That boat was about 8,000 lbs, and had no trouble exceeding 35 mph. Your Chris Craft should be much lighter and does not have a deep skeg like the Pacemaker's, so it will have a significantly higher speed potential.

Bottom line: a 5 liter Ford V8 is an excellent choice for marinizing. Without any special high performance parts or tuning, it will give you 220 reliable HP.

Good luck!

[Jango]

Most parts except the transmission are specific to Ford Sm Blk, i.e.289,302 (5.0)351. Almost All transmissions are universal - only the Bell housing change.

What Marinized engine was in your Boat ? If sm Blk Ford, chances are some parts can be reused

Forgot to mention. The Mustang 5.0 is basically the same 5.0 in a sedan. Perhaps a cam change

[charmc]

Ok, thanks. So it can be done. (albeit should it be done). The boat came with an old marinized engine that no longer works. Of your estimate of 3-4k for parts, how much of this engine could be used to adapt my Ford engine or are the parts I need really specific to the Mustang V8?

I think most of the parts would be unique to your old engine; I doubt any would transfer. Possibly the reduction gear can be reused, with an adapter plate.

Since you have an engine, it might be a good idea to look for a nameplate or any numbers engraved into the block to identify it. Rebuilding might not be any more costly than buying a used modern engine. If you can get it running, the added value of an original engine might make it worthwhile.