Mr. Luddite wrote:

On 11/5/2014 7:16 PM, James wrote:
Tim wrote:

James, I'm liking your approach to this and it sounds more
encouraging that you're up for the task and not a novice.

Again the OMC and the Mercruiser are the same engines that you'd
find in a comparable 3/4 ton Chevy pickup with the exception of a
different cam shaft, steel stead of cast iron crankshaft. The
freeze plugs are a non corrosive metal due to usually a raw water
application as well as the water pump. The diffrence between an
auto and a marine pump is the boat pump has special sealed
bearings and usually powder coated inside to prevent water damage
to the bearings and also prevent rust corrosion. The alternators
and starters have spark resistant shielding as well. If a guy is
handy with tools you shouldn't have any problem with
maintainance. If you decide to persue. this project. It'd be
worth getting a mercruiser shop manual. The book is extremely
thourough and great to have around. You can get a complete shop
manual for 20 -30 bucks on eBay. Keep us informed. Btw there's a
lot of great archives in rec boats that a person can look up as
well.

This particular boat has a closed cooling system (fresh water). Our
sailboat was raw water kind of pita to winterize but I just pumped
Rv anti-freeze through it. I had a '67 3/4 ton Chevy 4X4 with a 327
in it that I rebuilt ran good. Then I got an '81 Chevy 1 ton with a
454 now I have a Superduty 7.3L which gets a whole lot better
mileage.Jim



Too bad Ford could not have kept using the 7.3L diesel. It's
replacement (the 6.0L) was terrible in terms of reliability. I had a
2005 F-350 with the 6.0L and the high pressure pump failed twice
leaving me stranded while traveling, once in Georgia and then a few
months later in Virginia. Then, the turbo failed. All of this
happened within the first 11,000 miles. I took it back to the dealer
and told them I didn't want it. Don't know much about the latest
Ford 6.7L diesel.

I like Ford trucks but had bad experiences with that engine.

The new 6.7L seems to be a good engine. Built by Ford in Brazil I
believe. Haven't heard any big complaints yet.