I have an 86 Stinger 222 with a ford 351w in it. I just repainted the boat and have not done much with the motor in it yet. That is the task in the spring. A buddy of mine id giving me a great deal on a balanced and blueprinted 351w that was set up for a car. My plan is to stay as cheap as I can with this but to not go short where it will cause bigger issues later. My plan is to use my distributor, carb, manifolds, starter etc.. from the engine in the boat now. I was going to change out the freeze plugs on the new motor to brass and put her in there. Does anyone see any potential problems with this setup? Im a gearhead by nature but dont have a ton of experience with building engines etc. Plenty of wrenching on them though. Any help or insight is very much appreciated. I have owned this boat thru 3 seasons and havent put it in the water yet... If i miss another because of the motor, My wife may take a sledge to it.....

When I Purchased it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3343339...7622788616304/

After Paint and much more...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33433397@N02/5118039244/

you need to check what the cam specs are , many performance car style cams will not work in a boat due to the wet exhaust.
also need to check compression , boats typically run less compression.

Nice boat mate,
I know nothing about the 351w for a marine setup but the above comment is spot on.
Example: Car cam (drag) for a BBC could have an LSA of 110deg and run fine, but with wet exhaust, 110deg is too close so you'd need 112-114 to avoid reversion (where the exhaust overlap sucks water back into the cylinders).
What components (exhaust, intake, carb etc) are you planning to run?
Oh, my simple advice: Don't bother with the through prop exhaust, ditch the y pipe if you have one and rune straight through the transom unless your local laws require it?
Can't wait to see more pics, it's good to see another Stinger 222 up and coming!

I used to have an 1986 stinger, it was a fun boat and loved the large sun pad with the 3 man row set up.

nice boat. I have an 87 222. Make sure you check the hull / deck joint at the back where the small swim platforms are. there can be defects allowing water to come in. My boat sank because of it.

Boat looks great.......good for you

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate all of the information. It will just be the standard cast manifolds for now. They go straight from the risers through the transom. The rest of the setup will be pretty standard as well. I have sunk all of my budget into building the hull and am working on some more "budget" for the motor components.

MILander, I have the same issue on mine. I have it sealed very, very well...

I will try to get some specs on the cam and post as soon as possible.

i second this.... take a look through the port holes from inside with a flashlight, while in the water of course....

Thanks for all the comments here. I have resealed the entire hull/deck joint and any other holes as well. I hope to be well covered there. As far as the motor, my buddy couldn't get me the specs on the motor i was supposed to be getting so i ended up finding another running, complete 351 and picking that up. In a couple more weeks hopefully i will be out cruising the lake.

Does anyone know of where i may be able to get a wiring diagram for the motor? I'm putting a 79ish 351 mercruiser in but the original wiring harness from the boat is in bad shape. I would like to rewire most of the boat at some point, but starting with the motor, and im having trouble finding any type of wiring diagram for it.