can i put a chevy motor in an 1985 ski nautique.?

Question

the ford motor is locked up and im not much of a ford fan

will the chevy motor bolt up to the velvet drive.

what exactly is different on a marine motor.i want to make sure i do it right the first time.

Answer 1

Just make sure the transmission will bolt up properly and keep the proper engine alignment. I have done a few repowers like this.

Answer 2

Be extremely careful! An automotive Chevy motor and a marine version of the same engine are completely different in the inside as far as internal parts.

Mercury Drive Co. can explain all the differences.

Answer 3

you have to change the steel freeze plugs to brass and change camshaft and valve springs to marine as a marine engine runs a differant RPM range than a car then make sure the carburator is the correct cfm.
With todays gasoline if you have to make sure your right on with the parts.
Even marine application engines if not right will burn valves and seats and melt piston rings and pistons
Your bellhousing bolt pattern is differant so you will need to find correct bellhousing and probably end up putting a differant tranny in it such as a velvet drive c series tranny
Why not just put a good Jasper rebuilt ford in it . If you have chevy motor maybe they will take that as core

Answer 4

You can put ANY engine you want in it... just make sure it's a marine application engine. The cooling is obviously different etc.

IMHO Chrysler make the best marine engine around... I have 2 big blocks with 1300+ hours on each and neither has had any major engine work done in 34 years (1972 vintage)...

Answer 5

yep that should drop in but you will need to marinise the engine though