1971 F-26 Repower Diesel or Gas?

[wolfnnj]

I already have a left hand prop and the pump on the paragon just gets rotated 180 degrees to make it a lh rotation. And if that doesn't work I have an extra paragon V set up for left hand already. The 350
Is a bit taller but the engine mounts are higher up and the oil pan is shallower than the 318 it should be just fine. Besides bob has done this before on other re-powers and had no issue. I may have to remove some of the sound proofing from the engine compartment. (Foam under the hatch)

All in all I love working on my F26 and I enjoy making her better & better with each passing season. Mainly because its quality time spent with my dad we have done everything on the F26 together it's priceless. Incidentally
that's how my boat got its name everyone calls my dad "Uncle Charlie"

[The Dog House]

I'm also very interested in this installation. I'm not planning on replacing my engine, but it's nice to know what my options are. Carlywolf replaced the 318 in his 1977 F26 with a 350 and had to raise the engine hatch cover. The 1977 F26 has a straight drive with the engine at an angle of at least 15 degrees, so the height difference is really accentuated. The engine with the V drive is only at an angle of 5 degrees, so the 350 might fit without any problem. Please keep us updated on the installation. Thanks.

P.S. Pictures would be awesome!

[The Dog House]

I see you have 350 LB in your signature now. Is the project complete? Do you have any pictures?

[wolfnnj]

I am now officially started on the project I today just built the engine stand the 5.7 is going to sit on. I am starting the engine build tomorow. I will have plenty of pics posted on photobucket of my progress I will post a link early next week so you can keep up.

[The Dog House]

Thanks for tolerating my curiosity. I'm very interested in seeing how a GM 5.7 (350) fits in a 1971/1972 F26.

According to the TMI catalog the PV32R is rated for 240 hp @ 4000 rpm. What's the hp rating of the 5.7? If it's more than 240 hp (which it probably is), don't push the PV32R too hard. You might want to stay with the OEM 15 x 11 prop and just be careful that you don't overrev the engine. If you want a pdf of the catalog, just send me a PM with your email.

[wolfnnj]

Well the 350 Crusader is on the stand and ready to be assembled


All of the parts are being marine primed and Painted




Hopefully we will have another fun year this time with less headaches

[wolfnnj]

I went out to Ocean Propeller Company in Toms River NJ today and picked up a 15X11 Prop.
Tomorrow I will start with intake manifold assembly, water pump installation, and harmonic balancer installation.

I will post pics .

I am three weeks away from pulling out the old 318 and having a new priest and old priest assist me in its disposal.

[prowlersfish]

What prop where you running before ? 14X10 ? a 15X11 is a big jump , even thought your 350 may have more power , it makes it at a higher rpm . What HP is it ?

[The Dog House]

The OEM setup for this boat was a Chrysler 318 (225 hp) with a Paragon PV31R and a 15 x 11 prop. I'm running a Chrysler 318 with a Paragon PV32R and 15 x 11 prop and cruise at 21 mph (18 knots) at 3,000 rpm. The Chevy 350 (260 hp) should be able to run a PV31R and 15 x 11 prop since it should be at around 240 hp at 4,000 rpm. This is about 15 hp more than the original setup.

[prowlersfish]

I was thinking that they were proped with a 14X10 , Can you get to 4000 with the 15X10 ? The 350 /260hp chevy is rated to turn around 4400-4600 rpm . And should be proped that way . As far as the 14X10 I maybe thinking of another set up.

[The Dog House]

The 1971/1972 F26 has a 15 degree shaft angle, which is made possible by the V drive. The 1975 - 1983 F26 had a steeper shaft angle because it did not use a V drive. I'm not sure what the shaft angle was though. It's very possible that the 1975 - 1983 F26 used a 14 x 10 (again I'm not sure). According to Doug's book draft, the 1975 - 1983 F26 cruised at 16.5 knots at 3,000 rpm. 18 knots (1971/1972) vs. 16.5 knots (1975 - 1983) would be consistent with a 15 x 11 prop vs. a 14 x 10 prop (again I'm just guessing). Although I'm not sure about the specifications of the newer F26, my original paperwork indicates a 15 degree shaft angle with a 15 x 11 prop for my 1971 F26.

[prowlersfish]

Dog House Did.t you change form a 1 to 1 to a 1.5 to1 trans ? That would be the reason you can turn the 15x11 .

wolfnnj What gear ratio are you running ? If its 1 to 1 I believe you won't be able to true up to full rpm with a 15 x11 , and if you can't you straining the engine at all rpms .

[The Dog House]

My boat currently has a PV32R (1.5:1) and a 15 x 11 prop. My boat left the factory with a PV31R (1:1) and a 15 x 11 prop. I have the original PV31R in my garage, but the boat has always had the PV32R in it since I bought the boat. I believe (but can not confirm) that the prop on the boat is the original prop. I've never run the boat with a PV31R and a 15 x 11 prop, but the Chrysler 318 (225 hp) must be able to handle that combination since that's the drivetrain Trojan used when they built the boat. If the Chrysler 318 (225 hp) can handle it, a Chevy 350 (260 hp) should be able to handle it.

[wolfnnj]

I actually purchased a nibral 15x10 prop
I got it for a song less than $200 with adjustments for the whole season included. I read my original manual it says 15x11 is the original on the 1971&72 Trojan F-26 pv31 (1:1) & 318 (225)
I'm sure my 350 (260-70) and pv31 (1:1 ) w a 15X10 should be fine if not I have adjustments for free!
Or I can put back the 14X11 I have.

[prowlersfish]

A 14x11 and a 15x10 will give you close to the same rpm range . I do believe a 15X11 would be to much . I saw the the Trojan info that they came with 15X11 . the 318 and 350 props would be close to the same as the 350 makes the hp at 600 rpm higher . Real world testing will tell what will work . Looking forward to the results .