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Mercury cruiser heads?

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 7:48 am
by econo racer
I found a great deal on a set of 350 heads like new. $150. Is there any thing different about them to look for before putting them on my truck?

Re: Mercury cruiser heads?

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:17 am
by jed
There can be a difference. What casting number??

Re: Mercury cruiser heads?

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:58 am
by cv67
heavily corroded in jackets, have you taken them apart?

Re: Mercury cruiser heads?

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:27 am
by econo racer
pt#14095217 says crate motor 64 cc 285-300 hp motor.

Re: Mercury cruiser heads?

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:24 am
by tchapps88
I think i looked into that same casting in the past and found they were the same as the 083 casting iron 350 tpi heads

Re: Mercury cruiser heads?

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:56 am
by mag2555
There's no such thing as like new with anything that has been run in a Boat!
If they have been used I would not buy the unless the seller can prove that they pressure check ok!

Re: Mercury cruiser heads?

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 3:33 pm
by ProPower engines
econo racer wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:27 am pt#14095217 says crate motor 64 cc 285-300 hp motor.
That casting number was also used in the heavier PU trucks like 2500 or 3500 series.
The early trucks had a TBI 350 engine and they had the better head on them.
Both Mercrusier and Volvo-Penta used that same head casting for marine engines although they used a carb and BBC TBI unit in the marine application but most were used with a cooling system that had a heat exchanger and would be fine.
If they were raw water cooled beware on crusty castings and plugged internal water passages in the heads them self.l

Re: Mercury cruiser heads?

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:30 pm
by rebelrouser
I only work on jet boats used in the local rivers, and like several have said make sure they are not so rusty as to have leaks in the water jackets. The jet boat guys suck up sand and mud which gets hung up in the water jackets both block and heads, so blow them with air and make sure they are not stopped up.