Mercruiser question

Is there anything non-car compatible about a 305 Mercruiser V8? It has a Holley carb. Obviously needs headers. Will the flywheel need changed? Water pump? Isn't it just a late model Chevy?

Found a runner cheap- should I throw the number away?

Thanks, Dan

 

I'd expect that the cam would be for marine use, a power range that might not be compatible with street use. Does the distributor have vacuum advance? Is it one of two motors installed in the boat (possible reverse rotation motor)?
None of that would rule it out for use in a car...just stuff to consider.

 

I would think the cam would have a dynomite mid range. The flywheel may be a bit heavy, easy and cheap to fix. If the rotation is correct, run it. If the starter has a plate with easy to read numbers, that will tell the rotation of the motor.

 

Like they said, check to see if it's standard rotation. The distributor will be mechanical advance only plus you'll need to check the model number and look up the specs. I've used several that only had 7 degrees of distributor (14 engine) advance and needed to be recalibrated. The flywheel has a GM part number on it so you should be able to look it up. The biggest caution I can think of is that most of these will have been raw water cooled and usually have a lot of junk in the water jackets. If it saw salt water use, check it over even closer.

 

Also they have a great cast aluminum oil pan and a windage tray.

 

As was said, water jackets and salt water are the big concerns.

 

I put a 350 Mercruiser in a 68 chevy pickup I had. It had good power, but the fuel mileage was horrible! I changed to a 268 Comp Cam, and it improved a bunch. Still had good power, felt about the same from a seat of the pants feel, but fuel consumption improved.