Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines iron duke

When did the iron duke switch from the v-8 bellhousing bolt pattern to the 60 degree v-6 pattern? Was the date different in different applications?
I'm looking for one with the v-8 pattern and as little as possible in the way of electronics, so what sort of donor vehicle should I keep an eye out for?
Might the 153 be a better choice? I know they were all v-8 pattern and being older, they should be simpler, but how do they compare for reliability, durability, fuel efficiency, etc? I'm not too concerned about power. Either engine in stock form should be powerful enough.

If you're around a marina, you might get a deal on a Mercruiser 4-banger. I have a 181 ci Mercruiser in my Model A. It is a Mercruiser-revised Chevy II block, bored and stroked to 181 inches. They have Chevy V-/I-6 belhousing flanges. There is also a 153 ci versoin of the Mercruiser engines...they're identical to the Chevy II 4-bangers, but have different intakes and exhausts. You have to junk the intake and exhausts from boats...no good for street. Jeep, AMC and postal Jeeps, all used the Iron duke engines and some Chevy II versions at one time.....with the V8/I-6 belhousing flanges. Some postal Jeeps even had some Torque-flight transmissions in 'em! Early S-10s, the ones identified as 2.5 Liter, used them before switching to the smaller flanges. Don't remember when they switched, though. Personally, I like the '62-'70 153's best, because they had more meat in the block. I doubt if you could bore the thin-walled 151 ci engines more than about .020!

I have seen the 153ci in a 1960's fork lift, not sure if that is a very common set up though....

Dan

Yes, Dan......I forgot. I talked to a guy at a car show who had an s-10 with a 181 cubic inch version of the 153, that came from a forklift. He said it came from an industrial line of that series of 4-bangers. With a 4-barrel, headers and some internal goodies, he said "it was a snappy performer"! Before that, I thought only Mercruiser had 181s.

Just an update. The 181 is still listed on the GM industrial engine website (http://www.gm.com/automotive/gmpowertrain/engines/specialized/industrial/2007_3000_industrial_all_comb_1_versOrig.pdf) as the Vortec 3000.
It's called marine and industrial only, but it still has the small-block (not SAE)bolt pattern. So if I get rich, I'll be able to buy a new engine.

Just an update. The 181 is still listed on the GM industrial engine website (http://www.gm.com/automotive/gmpowertrain/engines/specialized/industrial/2007_3000_industrial_all_comb_1_versOrig.pdf) as the Vortec 3000.
It's called marine and industrial only, but it still has the small-block (not SAE)bolt pattern. So if I get rich, I'll be able to buy a new engine.