Thread: '64 Ford 221 ci V8 marine engine reverse rotation information

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I have the above engine and am looking for information to rebuild it and put back in a boat.

Just like overhauling any small block Ford, other then the reverse rotation.... Was the engine originally sold as a MerCruiser or something else?

The only issue I can see is if you need to replace the crankshaft. The knurl at the rear seal is rotation dependant. You cannot use a standard rotation crank and just drop it in place. You'll need to have the knurl changed to reflect the reversed rotation. Ignore this and you'll never get the oil to stay in the crankcase. I learned this from first hand experience.

If you can re-use the original crank, that'll save you a huge headache!

Motor is in a Luger kit boat. Never has run right. Has been in covered storage for about 20 years. Hope to be able to reuse most existing parts. Have considered replacing with newer 289 but then the outdrive rotation would have to be changed. Will check compression and post here. Hope to get suggestions after doing that.

Have also thought about changing to standard rotation motor and turning it around so it would drive from the front of the crankshaft. Thoughts on this??

Originally Posted by bobwinkel

Motor is in a Luger kit boat. Never has run right. Has been in covered storage for about 20 years. Hope to be able to reuse most existing parts. Have considered replacing with newer 289 but then the outdrive rotation would have to be changed. Will check compression and post here. Hope to get suggestions after doing that.

221/260 and early 289 Ford motors used the 5 bolt bell housing pattern. Later 289's through the 351W used the 6 bolt pattern. Here's a source for an adapter that should allow you to adapt the out drive to any 'W' engine (motor mounts are different as well, but that's minor fab work Ford 5 bolt 289 engine to small Then you could use a marine camshaft, distributor, knurl the crank to wick the oil back, etc, etc

the the w engine would be the way to go not hard to get reverse rotation marine stuff cams /seals.timing gear sets . one thing you can not do on a rope seal crank is re knurl the crank would have to be unsize crank seal surface then welded grind to size then knurl it .i do not do it. or know of any one that could .there a shop the makes cranks that could maybe do it but it would be very $$$. on the w engine or any non rope engine it the seal made for reverse rotation

Is there a marine engine group here or do you know of one elsewhere? This topic is probably not for this thread.

Originally Posted by bobwinkel

Is there a marine engine group here or do you know of one elsewhere? This topic is probably not for this thread.

An engine is just that - and doesn't care which way it goes round and round. We have two super engine guys that do it for a living - Pat seen above as well as Jerry Clayton, either of which are better then almost anyone else you could find elsewhere. There are several others that can usually work their way through most other engine situations.