head swaps, doable? 2.3L

[joescool2008]

I have a 2.3 sohc 2 barrel carb motor in my boat. My only concern is the exhaust ports being spaced differently. I'd love to put this thing on a fuel injected 8 plug head and be done with it lol. I'm no good at these carbeurators.

 

[scotts90ranger]

the exhaust has been the same on these things forever, the intake side has changed several times though...

If you want to go fuel injected the easiest way on the carb engine would be the '86-88 setup, the dual plug head would make running a distributor out of the question with the required intake manifold, and if you wanted to run the DIS you would need to swap some stuff around at the front seal and crank pulley, it can be done and I could guide you through most of it...

this wouldn't happen to be a Kodiak engine would it? That's where I work, but they make GM engines now...

 

[John Smith]

If it's an OMC 87-89? if so

The heads are somewhat hard to find in good shape...if you want to toss it...let me know...(actually they are similar to a Turbo coupe head i understand..and d-port also...)...I actually have a have a carb (Rochester) and dizzy (mallory from one of those boats)

Is it a Rochester 2 barrell?...good carb actually...I understand the usual problem with getting those to run may be ignition more than carb...just a possiblility?

If you DO swap let someone have a crack at that head/manifold/carb/dizzy combo....they are desired parts for carbed 2.3...The block used in that omc motor i believe has the turbo drain hole for use Turbo-applications as well..at least the ones i've seen have had it...

On Edit:

I have a 2.3 sohc 2 barrel carb motor in my boat. My only concern is the exhaust ports being spaced differently. I'd love to put this thing on a fuel injected 8 plug head and be done with it lol. I'm no good at these carbeurators.

I just realized you wanted to essentially make this motor EFI ?..i agree with Scott..much easier to do so with the earlier system thru 88. You already have the head just need the intake setup and sensors/TFi diz and module...probably pretty inexpensive actually..no need to remove head...or even remove a valve cover...

have fun..

 

[joescool2008]

It is a rochester 2 barrel carb. What is a dizzy? Im having the carb rebuilt now and if that doesnt do me well enough i may do a 8plug engine swap later.

 

[John Smith]

about the dizzy

the distributor. I have a hunch it's the mallory marine point diz unless it has been changed...unless ur familiar with tuning up a points diz, I wouild let someone do it. I have one.. a good primer on points adjustment may fix your problem if you have a problem with ign. a popular mod would be a pertronix add on i have read..I would leave the points there myself and just get up to speed adjusting them....probably suffer from only occasional use..a touch up with a points file or emery and a gap check should fix u up,,, also keep an extra condensor around..it's necessary...

good luck...

FYI I have that manifold and carb for use on a 2.3L powered B2 when i get it finished...130+ hp on pump gas...not bad...

 

[joescool2008]

Ok so i got the carb back and it ran better. However when i would throttle up it seemed like it was stumbling, kind of a jerking feeling. It has new plugs and wires in the right firing order and im getting good spark. I ran it for about ten minutes and then it popped a couple times and died. I can't get it to start now so im wondering if there is some kind of ignition relay that died on me? It turns over and sparks and it's getting fuel it just never starts. It was just idling at 1k for me fine?

 

[John Smith]

Hi there...

I would think you would want to make sure what kind of ignition you have. an OMC just came wiht a mallory points diz and a coil i think. It may have been changed however...It originally came with a coil only...you may have a bad coil. or points need adjusting..Hence.." an old school ign tune up"...as they used to refer to it as....try to find what you have for ign and proceed acordingly..

best wishes..

FYI my mallory marine dizz only has a centrifigal advance so it is pretty uncomplicated to work on..again...try to get up top speed wiht what you have...

I have found some good info on this combo at different marine engine forums...It's called a Cobra" 2.3L OMC" outdrive...

On editing..

Ok so i got the.............It turns over and sparks and it's getting fuel it just never starts. It was just idling at 1k for me fine?

If ur really getting fuel and spark,,,,it will run in some form..that's the beauty of a carb/diz combo....I'd check each one...if you have spark, for instance you can slowly dribble a little gas from a mason jar into the carb intake and it will continue to run....In fact, if you've got the assistant to help you could probably travel back to the docks that way if your fuel pump failed...carbs and points are very old school yet very reliable if you have it tuned up...and are familiar with them...

 

[joescool2008]

gear on distributor was half eaten, gotta locate and buy another

 

[joescool2008]

alright, is it possible to buy PERTRONIX 9ML-141 at like a autozone or something?

 

[John Smith]

what you have is

alright, is it possible to buy PERTRONIX 9ML-141 at like a autozone or something?

probably a converted mallory marine distributor wiht the pertronix kit..

http://pertronix.carshopinc.com/product_info.php/products_id/110/9ML-141
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PNX-9ML-141/

sounds like if your diz gear is badly worn, you may have to get that gear from mallory if in fact you have a marine mallory (OMC Marine 2.3L YS 621CV ) diz there should be a tag on it. ( i have one on my bench in the shop. very good distrib and gear) they normally don't fail w/o good reason

Gear failure can be a problem on 2.3 motors..depending on a lot of things..you might want to do some reading about oil pump shaft drive issues, (the distrib drives the oil pump) and whether or not you have a failing oil pump system...

what kind of oil do you use?..do you change it often?...Dist drive gear wear is a problem that is probably the only achilles heel of that motor..

I hope you haven't left stuff in the oil pan/pump screen that will take out anything you install new...something to think about...

sounds like you have enuf on ur plate..now that you have some direction...

 

[John Smith]

check e-bay..

gear on distributor was half eaten, gotta locate and buy another

if you want an original Mallory marine diz...prolly about 75 used if you can fine one...if ur sharp you can use an early ford duraspark variant as well .but you will need to get up to speed on how it all works..

best wishes

 

[joescool2008]

I do have the mallory marine dizzy, im considering using the pertronix kit, but is it a distributor and all or would i still need to locate a gear? The teeth on the gear was eaten on one side of the dizzy. It looks like i can order a gear at carquest when they open tmr.

 

[John Smith]

so you do NOT now have the pertronix kit?

the kit is only to replace the points...look at the link at summit racing i sent in the last post...

I'm pretty sure you will have to get a replacement gear for your mallory diz...
again you may find a little more info from a marine message board on suggestions for your OMC boat motor..I think they go thru this kind of thing regularly at least the past messages i have found would indicate that. Short of doing the search for you i really can't add much more to the discussion..it sounds like you will need to do a little research on the subject and actually chat with those who have motors like this installed currently...

best wishes...I hope you haven't got residue in the pan that will hinder a successful longterm fix for you...