I originally posted this in the engine section (new guy still figuring out the site) but I think it should probably go here.

I've been wrenching on outboards the last couple of years (I'm horribly addicted to fishing) but I've kind of gotten tired of the outrageous prices for outboard parts so I've been looking for a new hobby for those days when the weather is too crappy to fish.

I sold a couple of GM yard ornaments 2 weeks ago and used the proceeds to pick up a '95 F150 for a boat puller and with what cash I had left I was going to pick up a 302 block and build it up to swap into the F150.

After some good advice from folks on the board I decided to start looking for a 351 instead. I found a loaded '89 F250 Xcab 4x4 5 speed manual with a blown 5.8 for $500 that I decided would be a good project - I still have the F150 to pull the boat until I get this one rebuilt and once the 3/4 ton is done it should be a better overall ride for what I plan to use it for. Main use will be just to pull the boat and general truck stuff - not worried about going fast or spending lots of time in the mud

I did some searching on this forum and found Northern Auto Parts - looks like they have what I need at reasonable prices as far as rebuild kits. The machine shop I've been using for my outboard work is pretty good, so I'll use those guys for cleaning, checks, and any machine work I need on the block,heads, and rotating assembly. Not planning on any major mods, maybe a mild cam that will work with the speed density set up and headers/dual exhaust. If I get real bored and run into some extra cash I might change it over to MAF instead of SD, but it's not something I have a burning desire or need to do. From what I've read on here the advantages as far as fuel economy aren't all that much more and I'm not looking for ease of mods that MAF offers. But you never know

First order of business will be to get the mill out and see just how bad it's toasted. Judging by the amount of antifreeze in the oil pan there's either a major gasket failure or a busted casting - I'm really hoping it's not the block, but we'll see when I get it down that far. It will be a bit before I start tearing it down, I'm in CA this week for work and I'm out of town next week and most of the week after, so 2 weeks from now I'll be barraging you guys with either questions on the rebuild or where to find a new block depending on what I find I'll post up some pix of it when I get back home and start working on 'er.