hey thanks, John. i didn't realize that about the injection systems not being
Coast Guard compatable. thanks for the info.

seeing that the 5.0 HO actually is a 302 on steroids (roler cam and 4 bolt
main, and the intake I know can be changed back to carburation. I my check into
converting the 5.0 for marine use...With your advice, I will check it out. I
didn't think about the cam, you have a point there. I know that the rebuild on
the OE would probably be best, but i was wondering aboutt he 5.0HO because I
had it available. I'm glad I asked. I was wondering though, about what you
were saying about the torque of the diesel. I'm deffinately not disputing your
word, I'm having a bit of difficulty comprehending how there could be a torque
problem with a water /prop system.
I can understand a problem with dry land/pavement being a concern because
there is no slip, which I can't see with a boat, but you're probably right. I'd
hate to go to the expense of using the same outdrive and wrecking it out, all
because I didn't listen to somebody say ..."I told you so"....

Thanks!
Tim

Tim, let's take these questions one at a time.
I don't know if the 5.0 will mate up with your 302, but their's a lot
more involved with trying to put a car engine in a boat than just
seeing if it'll fit. First off, you are going to need at least a
differant cam shaft. You can probably do quite well with one intended
for a tow truck or an RV if a marine one is not available. Next,
forget about the automotive fuel injection, it's not allowed (not
Coast Guard approved). If something happens, and it has anything to do
with it, your screwed, your insurance company will walk. Same holds
true for the automotive starter, alternator and fuel pump. Then you
need to find out if the heads on the engine are the right ones for
your application (low end torque) (if your raw water cooled, and their
aluminum, in salt water, forget about them). Then you need to find
exhaust manifolds that fit it, if your old ones don't. You also need
to see if the outdrive will handle the power from the 5.0.

Now if you go diesel, your outdrive will probably not handle the extra
torque for very long. You'll probably have to go to a heavy duty unit.

In the long run, it's probably a lot cheaper to rebuild the old 302.
Or upgrade to a 351 (the 351's has 302 heads on many of them, so just
swap them, that helps with the exhaust manifolds) it should mate up
where the 302 was and it's not that much more powerfull, the outdrive
will probably work with it.

John