i was just reading the latest issue of four wheeler magazine withe the top ten top truck challenge competitors in it. and noticed several of the trucks have marine engines in them. are these engines different from a regular truck engine or what??? i just want to know just to know.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
16x38.5x15 super swamper TSL
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock

TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE

 

I read somewhere that marine blocks had a higher nickel content. Since most marines engines spend a good part of there operating lives at "wide open", the harder block helped prolong engine life. But I think there is actually more to it than that...just all I remember right now. Wonder where you'd go to find a marine block?
REX

 

Probably to a Marina

 

Have not herd about different castings ,but amost all marine blocks are 4 bolt main,use different type intake and head gaskets due to salt water operations.They also are setup with cams for low end torqgue to mid range rpm,nothing over 6,000 rpms.
plus all carbs and electrical components are different.
Just My $.02

Rich

 

thanks for the replies guys. i was just wonderin what they were for and yall answered.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
16x38.5x15 super swamper TSL
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock

TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE

 

>Have not herd about different castings ,but amost all marine
>blocks are 4 bolt main,use different type intake and head
>gaskets due to salt water operations.They also are setup
>with cams for low end torqgue to mid range rpm,nothing over
>6,000 rpms.
>plus all carbs and electrical components are different.
>Just My $.02
>
>Rich
>
4-Bolt mains may be true for Ch**** V-8 marine engines but not so for Ford marine blocks. It is true the cams are ground for low RPM, maximum torque usage...almost all marine engines are designed to reach peak HP between 4400-4800 RPM with their cruise range somewhere close to 3200-3600 RPM. The carb and electrical components are explosion-proof rated since most marine engines are totaly enclosed and have the risk of igniting gasoline fumes unless the blower is used first to purge the engine compartment. My Bayliner owners manual says to purge for at least a minute and a half before turning engine over.

Unless the marine engine was realitivly new I personaly would not want to use one. After reading the marine websites for a couple of years I've seen it stated a number of times that most marine engines rust out from the inside out (or get plugged from rust) before they wear out. Deen

 

Marine engines will also have heads that have sodium filled valves installed to keep the valves from buring out. These valves are expensive, but last.

Marine blocks are claimed to be 4 bolt mains, but even the Ch**y's are not always.

Cam grind and timing, heads and some gaskets are the only differences, no matter what the marine shop tells you. I think they may use lower compressions pistons too. They do have good low end tourque.

You can overhaul a v-8 engine for around $1000, but a marine shop will charge $4,000 for the same engine because it is "Marine".