I think I'm gonna keep my boat and repower. I would really like to find a newer engine/v-drive combo taken from a wrecked ski boat as it would be lighter and easier to work on that the current set up. My block is bad, and I suspect water is getting into the v-drive oil as well. If I can find a 327 Q cheap enough, I would consider just replacing the engine and taking my chances with the trans, the trans has been rebuilt. Anyone have any ideas or know of any running 327 Qs? I really do not want to go the long block swapping everything out route. The boat has just been sitting in the shop, and that brand new trailer pictured above has not moved in almost 2 years! Blame it on divorce.

Hi Mercrewser,

Good hearing from you, hope things are looking up for you.

I have seen some good rebuilt block situations, and some full motors too, that can be had for very reasonable money. Just curious about that V-drive install you have, is it a LH or RH rotation. Yes, I figure the prop is rotating RH, but my question is, "can you use an automotive rotation small block or do you need to use the marine version".

As long as you stay with the small GM, you have lots of possibilities, and some very good ones too!

Regard,

Paul

The 327 QA is a standard left hand SBC, right hand propeller.

Another question:

Can you fit the trans/v-drive assembly to the PTO (flywheel side) of any SBC? Is there a bell housing available to do this? Theres gotta be...... They used paragons in other applications including MOPAR power. Anyone know what I would need for the conversion? That way I could keep the trans/v-drive, and use standard merCruiser power. Again, I'm still a little leary about using my trans though. A 327 Q switchout would be the easiest.

My hunch is the main issue would be finding the right flywheel to match up with the splines on the transmission. Yes, the bellhousing would have to match, but you have one of those allready, and you also have the flywheel to match the Paragon. The fact that you're boat uses the standard automotive rotation opens up a whole world of opportunities.

Personally, I don't think that flywheel would know the difference between a 327Q, 327F, a Crusader or Mercruiser rest of the motor. I don't know if the new blocks have the identical mounting points for the motor mounts or not, but that seems to be a pretty basic attachment. My 327F is a flywheel aft design, RH rotation, and it's using a 327 automotive block. All the marine stuff bolted up to it just fine.

Here are a couple of images to illustrate the spline on the transmission.





Regards,

Paul

Unfortunately the Q is not quite the same for a few reasons so he does not have all the parts you spoke of.
1. He does not have a flywheel that will match the paragon his takes power from what you would call the front of the engine from a damper hub that bolts to a damper drive plate that mounts to the crankshaft.
2. He does not have a bell housing to bolt to a std 350 engine again his power comes from the "front" of the motor. his "bell housing" is actually a timing chain cover that the paragon bolts to.
but my take on the entire thing is he can use a std block there is no difference between the Q block and a std block the differences are elsewhere. So if he has good intake along with a good cam, crank etc he can do that. My other idea would be a short block 350 or whatever turned into a Q or find a bell housing from a std Chris motor and use that either an F or G series motor would work for a bell housing even in your picture the paragon goes to a damper hub which he would also need but I think thats about all he could reuse carb etc.. to get it running again. unfortunately the distributor wont work in a std series motor. The Q has a shorter shaft.
Lets take a look at firing order
Q LH rot 1-8-7-2-4-3-6-5 ok now lets translate that into a std block
8-1-2-7-5-6-3-4 ok now go one step further std firing order RH rot
1-2-7-5-6-3-4-8 hmmmmm are they really that different???? nope!
A left hand Q is spinning the same way as a RH std motor just turned around but looking at either end of the motor its turning the same direction we can go even further

Q RH rot 1-5-6-3-4-2-7-8 ok LH std block translation
8-4-3-6-5-7-2-1 ok next step LH std block firing order
8-4-3-6-5-7-2-1 same order again just shifted so you motor heads got all this

theres a test tomorrow be there early!!

As always, thanks for the oversight on the Q series.

Regards,

Paul

What did he say? Merc I'm with you. A direct swap out with including tranny would be alot easier. At least the math part, just add up the $$$$$ and see if you can swing it. Test over, polish fiberglass, and go boating. Chicks dig it!

Regards, Chrs

There are no splines in the flywheel, just holes to bolt the dampener(coupler) to. I have a brand new dampener, just trying to figure if I should put it in the right place (flywheel) this time. Actually, I'm starting to lean longblock and keepin it a Q.