Well i was buying a jet boat..the one on my profile..but long story short dont buy from family.So anyways i moved on to a new project.1976 21ft Waikiki day cruiser i/o.Interior is decent has no motor.So the first of a couple questions....Has anybody heard of this model? And it had a 351 but the last owner yanked it out.Outdrive is all complete.I dont wanna put a 302 in then regret it and wished i put a 351 in ..how much power difference is there?I know a lot depends on how much i wanna spend.lol.One more....I would like to make the exhaust a thru transom,is that a bad idea?

ok so i dont know how to post pics........

Nobody??

Nobody??

Sorry....Never opened the thread..

I got you covered, but you will hate all the answers I am going to suggest.

I am going to go out on a limb and assume an OMC outdrive, because a 351 powered Mercruiser is quite rare...

If an OMC, the gear ratio in the drive will determine what engine you have to run, if 1.50:1, you need the torque of the 351, if 1.65:1, a 302 will be awesome, but quite down on power for a ride that big...(it will always be working it's arse off..).

Now, most of that will go towards a Merc, but the Merc is more user friendly as far a replacement parts and adapting to different engine packages...

I will throw this out there, for the money you would throw at this deal if an OMC, it would be a perfect candidate for a jet conversion...

Through transom exhaust sounds bitchen, there is a very small amount of HP to be gained (in the 2-5% area)..

I have never heard of a Waikiki, going to be a splash of something.....Good looking hull really...

As far as the difference of a 351 vs. a 302, that's 50 cubic inches of difference, think about that for a minute, that's huge.

Lemmeknow what drive system you have, I think I can help you out either way......

GT

wow k thanks for all the info.So the outdrive is for sure a volvo AQ280 the previous owner had a 351 in it and pulled it to put in a mustang.All the out drive is complete from bell housing all the way out.I have several parts for a 351 that came with it including....Intake manifold and a holley carb (really needs to be gone thru) both exhaust manifolds and risers,the y pipe is still installed on the boat and looks good,got a distributer ,water pump,the bellows to cover drive shaft,alternator.Seems like i need just the engine (and starter,what makes a "marine"starter diff?)

Talk to Nordie about bringin the old finish back. He's the expert there! Still finishing up Pickle, but MAN is it shinin!

Now would be the time for the jet conversion, I would think. Reading between the lines in GT's post, sounds like not that huge a deal with that drive. Provided you can come up with a pump and intake, etc........tons available around on here.....

Ray

thanks for all the info........so do u think i could go to a salvage yard and pick up an egine just to get something started and how much would i be lookin at u think?

k so maybe these pics will help a little...The bell housing for a 351 the i dont what its called that bolts to the bellhousing and the inside that goes to the engine.....

Na im not partial to running anything.Was gonna go with the 351 due to all the aprts i got already but kinda would like something bigger.Got a friend that has 396 he thinks he still has it lol...wouldnt even mind a 460 or something i can some common used parts off here for not cheap but more on the inexpensive side......heres a pic of the outdrive..aq280 outside looks rough but inside been gone through.

Thanks for all the input.......Gotta love this site