Marinette Boat Forum

I found a pair of 350q engines for sale locally for a steal of a deal. They have v drives which I would not use but I'm wondering if one could be mated to my velvet drive trans? The 350q is set up so the trans attaches to the front of the engine for those not familiar. I am looking at swapping one of these engines for the 318 I currently have in my 28 express single. Any input or experience would be appreciated.

Don't think I have ever seen a Q with a V drive. The standard Qs with Paragon gears share all the same mounting and input splines as a velvet drive. The stringer mounts may be another thing, but your is already set up for the standard velvet drive "ape hanger" mounts.

One thing to be aware of on the Qs is parts. They have some very unique to them parts that are becoming difficult to get. The F engines would be a better choice because they can share parts with Crusader (which is what they became, more or less), and some with Merc & OMC. The intakes on the Q engines (which are like none other) have a water sump under the carb that is notorious for not getting flushed when winterized. Every one I have had apart had a cracked intake. Most had been welded. I do have a F engine if needed.

Thanks for the reply Eric. I don't really "need" an engine, mine runs great, but this guy is asking 300 for the pair, I would need to remove them but I've done that before, should be no sweat. My thought was to scoop them up, keep one engine and accessories and part or sell the other, then when my 318 finally if ever bites the dust I'd have an engine laying there for it.
On the unique parts to the q, can you convert the intake to say an aftermarket or stock mercruiser Intake? I'm assuming the block and heads are the same as any sbc?

The intake cannot be swapped over to a standard intake very easy, if at all. The cooling ports, distributor mount and carb flange are all their own. Distributors alone are probably worth the $300. Block, heads, exhaust (for CC or Marine Power) and all internals would be universal. I believe the flywheels on the Qs are unique. I know they are smaller than a standard sbc flywheel. Oil pans, timing cover, balancer, flywheel housing, intake and distributors are Q only. The distributors will only work with the Q intake and are an oddity. If the engines are runners, I would get them, but convert the keeper to flywheel aft.

Oh God! I thought all of those confusing monstrosities were melted down for scrap by now?

For those of you who never seen one of these beasts, the drive is off the nose of the engine with the distributor mounted on a housing on the flywheel end (that spins in the breeze!) Try figuring out which way is the 'normal' rotation on these and which is reverse! It's hard enough with "normal" engines!

Jeff

PS: For you knowledgeable SB Chevy guys, note where the parts are located. The goofy plan was to lower the motor a few inches by having the oil pump forward. Arrrrgh!

my advice is to find the appropriate Chris Craft and restore it now that you have found the right power for her.

Thanks again for the reply. Not to question you, but to help me understand, if block and heads are standard sbc then why can't I use a different intake paired with a distributor to match the new intake? I'm going to look at these in the next few days so I'm just trying to gather all the info I can find. Thanks again!

If you go look at them, you will understand. I believe the pictures that Jeff posted are early Q engines. The later ones fixed some of the weirdness, but added some new weirdness. If you compare a Q and F side by side, you will see that there are lots of little things that would need to be modified to use a standard intake.

One would think there are a bunch of Chris Craft owners out there who would love to get their hands on this 'unique' motors. Selling them would allow you to invest in more conventional power.

Jeff

Jeff, that is exactly what I'll probably do, sell them whole or part out and keep a block and set of heads and build one up from there. Hopefully I can sell complete, and make some cash. My boat and trailer were paid for by doing this kind of odd stuff on the side, mostly parting out snowmobiles and buying and selling boats and sleds.