Can i change a boat motor with a car motor?

Question

it already has a 302 ford marine motor on it just wondering if i can change it out with a 302 ford car engine. just use the cooling system off the boat engine and put it on the car engine

Answer 1

I don't know why not.

Answer 2

NO

Answer 3

If it bolts up, it will work. The big differences are:

#1 The casting plugs ( freeze plugs) in a marine engine are brass. This is because the engine has raw (lake or salt water) going through it, so no corrosion control.

#2 the cam shaft is designed for a different power curve. A car engine has to produce power at a different rpm range. You very seldom run a car engine at a sustained 3500 to 5000 rpm range. The cam in a car engine will work, but will produce power in a different hp range.

#3 Prior to the late 90's, the pistons in a marine engine were forged, not cast. This is not really an issue, but overall strenght of the pistons isn't the same. This won't be a detterent unless you run it hard.

Answer 4

I am amazed at how many non boaters answered your question.  No, you can't use a car engine in a boat.  You can use an auto short block.  But you need to use brass or copper gaskets,  the freeze out plugs need to be brass.  You will need a Marine starter, carb, alternator and distributor.  Marine parts are sealed, such as starter is non sparking, alternator is non sparking, carb is sealed closed so it will not leak fuel out when flooded. The fuel pump is built without a weep hole, so it will not leak fuel when bad like a car fuel pump. If you have auto parts in a boat you are gambling with your life.  You could blow up the boat.  Before you do this talk to somebody who knows what they are talking about.  It could save you a lot of money and possibly your life and that of your family and friends.  Good luck.

Answer 5

dont think so

Answer 6

are you serious?

Answer 7

The simple answer is no.

They are totally different animals.

If you decide to put it is salt water.

Expect it to be trashed.

Answer 8

Don't see why you couldn't do it.   Swap out and re-use the parts from the marine motor and it should be OK provided the engine rotates in the same direction as the marine motor.   I had a 18 ft. Raysoncraft flatbottom race boat....... and used a Dodge 440 magnum out of a 1969 Chrysler Imperial with no problems.

Answer 9

I dont think so, there would be different components in the car motor than the boat motor, because the car has to turn tires, and the boat propellers.

And the dude above me in the red hat or w/e, there are more than just the outboard tiny motors in boats that you are thinking of.

Answer 10

Yes. I've seen it done with a straight 6 engine.

Answer 11

yes you can. You will need to swap out the special marine components (alternator, starter, cooling system, intake, exhaust)etc but if you do that you will be fine.

Answer 12

I dont see why not,you might need to make adjustments for water temperature,throttle linkages etc:,even bus  and truck engines have been used for larger vessels,you may have to alter the gearbox, but otherwise, go for it.

Answer 13

no for some reason boat motors run in the opposite direction

Answer 14

In my experience the boat motors are almost but not the same as a car motor.  The boat parts people will tell you this probably to sell you the more expensive "marine" parts for a boat.  Supposily the boat parts are "marineized" for useage in the wetter atmosphere.  Also as stated boat engines run cooler. (165 compared to 200)

If you are going to try this be careful.  A friend had an Olds engine in an I/O that the crank turned opposite rotation than you would find in a car.  Had two gears meshing instead of a "chain and gears" for the cam timing and the starter was reversed. (turned opposite)

Answer 15

Yes, some inboards are interchangeable with car motors.