So, I have finally found a 153 Chevy. Now I have both Mercruiser engines as well. I'm looking to build a street engine using the parts I have. So, which head do I have the 3.0 valves put in? What cam grind do I want, or is the 153 cam good as is. I plan on using a 2 barrel adapter on the intake. Will different pistons add enough power to be worth while? Anything else? Yes, I know there is a 28 page thread about these engines, but I'm looking a build using what I have.
I think there’s an older thread on these engines, might be some info in it for what you’re looking for. Sorry, nothing from me.
Here’s the first one that came up searching “mercruiser” https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/2-5l-and-3-0l-mercruiser-4cyls.1337881/
I'm looking for opinions on a build using what I have. I'm not adverse to putting different pistons, cam or valve components in. I do want to use the 3.0 block and crank. I also want to use one of the 2.5 / 153 heads with the 3.0 valves in it. Lastly, at least for now, I plan to use the OEM 153 manifolds. I am looking for input on camshaft options, pistons and valve train upgrades.
You may find something In this thread: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/chevy-ii-153-four-cylinder.745583/
I had one in a 27 "T" bucket with a powerglide, it was pretty slow and slugish, it went about 85 top end but it took a long time to get up to speed.
My grandpa bought a new anniversary gold or brown 62 Chevy II 100 (only the top trim level was called a Nova) with the four cylinder and a stick shift. He would leave it at our house every summer while visiting my uncle in Detroit, 500 plus miles away at the opposite corner of the state. My dad would “exercise” it to keep the battery charged. I was only 11 at the time, but I remember the car being agricultural like and it was the only car I ever rode in that had to drop to second gear on the state highway to maintain speed on the minor grade coming out of the railroad underp***. I always thought I would like to have a car like that, strangely enough. I later had a couple of four cylinder Pintos, but they were veritable hot rods compared to the old Chevy. I imagine the survivors have all been converted to v8 power by now, 64 years later.
I built my 153 with a lump ported 153 head, 1.94/1.60 valves, roller rockers, Isky 251262 cam, 9.5:1 compression, dual carb intake made by cutting down a 250 L6 intake, 2 Stromberg 81s, Pertronix ignition, Lightweight 153 tooth flywheel, with a T5 behind it running to a 3.78 banjo rear with 6.00-17 tires. It revs to 6000 RPM quickly and cruises 75 mph all day getting 30 mpg. It hits 60 pretty quick in my 2000# 27 RPU. Took a while to get all the parts together, but fun enough I am going to build another one. Using stock parts, you are going to want a cam meant for a car as opposed to a boat which is meant to run at a steady rpm vs accelerate. Good luck.
Any good cam grinder can regrind a lighter lift and more duration on a stock cam. Isky still listed them too. Consider a Clifford Reaserch intake with an adapter to a 2 barrel. There are progressive 2 barrels also. Expensive new but findable.
What head would you use. 2.5 or 153? Any sense in hydraulic lifters and roller rockers? Shave the head or domed pistons? I can always change manifolds, ignition etc after the build.
I edited this to what I could build: -A 3.0 Mercruiser with a lump ported head, Mercruiser 3.0 valves, roller rockers, Hydraulic lifters, reground cam, 9.5:1 compression, Electronic ignition, with a 4L60e to a 3.78 rear with 7.00 15 tires on Rally Wheels. -The 153 has a clutch on it, but dads 36 Chevy rat truck cab lacks the pedal for it. Also, at times, my health says "No clutch for you!".
You didn't tell us what you are putting it in. I put a mostly stock 153 in a '60 Ford Falcon with a fully synchronized Chevy 3 speed. It ran very well, in fact, better than the 144 Ford six that I took out. Lots of fun to drive. Only modification I did was minor porting on the head. Always wanted to put a 2-stage two barrel on it like the Vegas and Pintos had, but never got around to it. .bjb
Using what you have on a budget. that rules out the roller cam stuff. im contemplating building one I have. Probably have the cam reground. Specs? Ain’t got that far yet Probably mill the head and possibly do the lump port deal. I lucked into a pair of Carter side drafts so those will probably be used on a modified/custom intake. The same mods used for 194-292 Chevys will work on the 153. the larger valves really only help in the higher rpm’s. So figure out where you need the power at. 4l60 on a 153? Maybe if that’s what I had. But if I was trans shopping for a 4cyl auto I’d look at a 200r first. I plan on using a 5 speed. Bad knees be darned.
Roller lifters are for roller cams. Flat tappet cams are made from different material than roller cams. A**** other subtle differences. Thats the biggest reason for the cost difference and why the distributor uses a gear drive specifically for roller cams.
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