302 Ford on a Formula 23
 

Do you guys know anything good or bad about the 302 Ford engine? I'm looking at a Formula center console with this motor. Says it only has 100 hours on it; i'm assuming that's after a rebuild...

what year, what drive setup(I/O, IB, jackshaft, V drive, etc), who marinized it(Merc, OMC, Indmar, Crusader, might just be easier to tell me what color the engine is) and what is the model of the engine(888, 235, ...) Pics would help

Spare, I'm not sure. I guess I need to call the guy to find out. The pics of the boat don't show the engine. This is as close as I can get (sorry about the size, couldn't help it):

http://images.traderonline.com//img/...92189418_3.jpg

http://images.traderonline.com//img/...mb_550x410.jpg

Oh yeah, it's a 1984 230 CC 250 hp; says it cruises at 25 and maxes at 32... Also says has a 170 gallon gas tank. That sounds awfully huge to me... Probably too much boat for me, but it's not far from me, so I thought I'd consider it...

That looks like a mercruiser 888, its a 302, with 351 heads and camshaft(fires like a 351 also), they were a decent engine set up in their day, rated at 188 hp. They would fit in a narrow engien compartment. But as in any older I/O setup, be prepared for anything, there is no telling what has been doen or what is needing to be done. Make sure you have a quilified tech check it out. As far as that boat goes with an I/O, most people I know that have run those as an I/O and as an OB conversion, liked the I/O better(as far as ride goes). Albemarl uses the same hull and sets it up with a jackshaft I/O to get even more weight forward. See if you can get any other info. Take some pics of the drive, up close

Thanks Spare. If I catch up with the guy, I'll be sure to snap some pics of the engine and outdrive.

250 hp should be a chevy 5.7 4 bbl, instead of a ford 302, As far as I know, they didn't offer a 302 in 84. If it is an 84 drive package, then it should be an Alpha drive( better than the previous MC series)

scrape teh name off the side along with the stickers and that would be a nice rig. The cuddy Formula I used to fish had a 90 gal tank

25 cruise is too slow for that hull. The faster that hull goes the better the ride.
It was designed to go fast . . . not 25mph. That hull wakes up at 40mph and it's awesome above 50mph into chop.

if you can hang on,

we used to cruise the one we ran at 24 knts, if it got rough, if we had to run any slower than 20 knts, we would call it a day and turn back to the house

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...ami_nassau.jpg

That's the way your suppose to drive that formula :)

There's a 233 CC out here for $500 with a 350 and trailer :) It needs lots of work, but it's never had bottom paint (at least from the looks of the ad)

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/boa/623675683.html

tell ferm, he's been wanting a Formula

I want a cuddy. And Cali is a bit of a drive for me.

Ferm, have I got the boat for you. 1984 Formula F-2 sunsport. Biggest 20' boat you have ever been in. 350 v-8 chevrolet engine in good shape. Huge cuddy cabin. teak swim platform, and teak bow pulpit. walkaround cuddy. snap in carpet. No bottom paint. sits on a 1095 Shorelander double axle trailer. Freshwater boat. Interested? If so, I'll try to get some pix. It really is a great boat that I have owned for 10 years. I am pretty sure I am just the second owner. Runs 50 mph plus.

Like BGA, I got my mind set on a 233 CUDDY, and I already have the power sittin in the garage. Plus I'm lookin closer to home, gas is to much to go cross country for a boat right now. I'm sure one will show up soon enough, and hopefully I'll be caught up when it comes along. Now I got to go do some ball joints in PINKY:cen:.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/603102630.html

Free Formula . . . He says that he'll deliver for gas money :)

That Formula was one bad rig . I wonder why they no longer build boat like that and their 24'? Great picture there Bigshrimpin ! looks to be a early 70's shot.......

They are still being built, just not by FORMULA or THUNDERBIRD. BLUEWATER, CONTENDER, ALBEMARLE and a few others still make the same basic FORMULA 233 to this day in some variation.

Here's one for you, but the auction is ending very soon:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=250236309859

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=017

I REALLY liked this one.