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Hi guys, haven't been around for a while, but thought I might shed a little light on this engine for you.  The 6.2 is 377 cubes and is Mercruisers attempt to get a little more torque out of a small block to move heavier boats.  Since the 7.4 (454) isn't being made any more they needed a way to get that torque and yet have a lighter, smaller package.

I don't know a whole lot about them as I worked in the office end of the marina business, as opposed to turning wrenches, but I do know the Techs had respect for them and felt they were pretty good engines.  They share a lot of other 5.7 components, but the fuel system, intake, etc is different to get better flow.

I am running a 5.7 marine engine in my 23 and it is virtually identical to what you would get in a Chevy car or truck, except for a few minor differences.  The cam profile runs out of steam at 5,000 rpms, and the head gaskets and freeze plugs are corrosion resistant for salt water use.

To get back to your original question, would one of these 6.2's be good for a hot rod?...........I guess it could be made to work, but it is not the 383 stroker it appears to be.  A better value would be to simply add a stroker kit to a 5.7.  Cost would be another factor and because the 6.2's haven't been out there for lots of years they still would bring good money, if you could find one, far more than you would have in building a 383 from scratch.

I know this wasn't a ton of info, but hope it helps a little.

Don

Are you sure it wasn't rust colored?  How did it smell?  Sometimes people describe burnt or rusty fluid as orangish.

Don

Don, if you talk to 100 people you will get 100 different opinions of how living in Florida is.  Here is MY opinion.

We've lived in Pa, NC, Cal, and now Florida.  No place is perfect, and Florida certainly falls into that catagory.  The good things:

1)  The weather.  I could NEVER go back to the stuff you guys up North get. Today is a iffy day here and it is 75 and sunny.  It is going to warm up tomorrow into the mid-80's, AND THIS IS FEBRUARY!!  

2) Activities:    I love the water too and just retired from the marine industry. You have year round fishing, boating, sailing, swimming, etc with miles and miles of water all around you.

3) Housing:  The bottom has dropped out of the housing market so there are tons of great deals out there right now.  Prices will rise again some day, so you can make some money if you buy now.

4) People:  Generally the people here are very friendly.  Some areas better than others.  Nice part is that EVERYONE is from somewhere else, so it isn't like you will be an outsider.  We are ALL outsiders.  

There are more good things, but those are the top ones.  Here are some not so good things:

1) The weather.  As nice as it is in the winter months, it does get hot and humid here in the Summer months.  But you learn to limit your activities, or if you are a sunworshiper like me, you get a tan.

2)  Job market.  Right now it sucks, and in certain fields it is never good.  I made twice to 3 times the money a year up North that I made in Florida. There is no real manufacturing here, most jobs are in the service type industries.  I know there are lots of people here who make tons of money, but for every one of them there are 10 more making lousy wages.  

3) Overpopulation and crowding:  Guys like me have discovered Florida so it is really getting crowded.  The winter months especially, when the Snow Birds come here for the sun then head home in the Spring.

4)  Hurricanes:  Most people here don't really think about them much.  When I lived in Cal we had earthquakes, midwest has tornados, up North snowstorms, etc.  Every place has Mother Nature to deal with.  

5)  Crime:  I know it is bad all over crimewise, and Florida is no exception.  I used to take long walks with my GF late at night, and I wouldn't dream of doing that now.  My area has changed.

So, bottom line.  You might be one of the people who move here and love it or you might hate it.  A lot depends on what you want out of life and even more important, what your wife or GF wants out of life.  If she hates it here you will hate it too.  My ex-wife fought tooth and nail not to come here, and now she wouldn't leave for anything.  You have to give it a chance.

But if you have a good job lined up half of your problems are solved right there............and you love to sail, so the odds are you would like it here.

Me, I will never leave here either.  

Don

Here, does it look anything like this engine?

Don


www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0vJbEVnPjw&NR=1

From the description of the engine and the boat (trihull)  I'm kinda guessing either 300 or 350 Buick.  I've seen a few similar boats with these in them.  What outdrive is on the boat?  I would bet OMC Stringer Drive.   Also, what year is the boat?  There should be a series of numbers stamped into the right side of the transom up near the top, when you are standing outside the boat.  The last two digits are the year.  That will help pinpoint what series Buick it is.  I'm thinking mid to late '70's.

Don

.............

Yep, they don't make them like that any more, now they're all plastic.  

I have a very old Milwaukee 1/2 inch angle drill that electricians and plumbers used to drill between joists, and a big ole 9 inch Milwaukee body shop grinder.  Heavy as heck, but when you want to remove some metal quick it sure does the job.  You don't need to go to the gym after using either one for a little while.  

Don

Well, they WERE kinda holding onto each other pretty tight now that you mention it.    


Don

Thank you Dave.  And just for you, here is another Xmas card from Florida. (Ok, a little late, but the thought is still there)      


Don

Did some work on my Kid's '29, .......... but the weather was so nice (low 80's) that I headed to the beach to take some pictures of my T.   Here's one I thought might cheer up all you guys who are snowed in.      


Don

If you buy a Lokar 350 shifter it will have a neutral switch built in that only works in Park and Neutral (If you adjust it right).  

Amen.  We have two Lokars, and can't get either one to work only in park and neutral.....both start in gear!  I've spoken to Lokar, adjusted the heck out of them,and they work for a little while and then quit.  I even bought a new $18 neutral start switch directly from Lokar, still no good.

On the upside, I like them although a heavier than normal knob will drop you down a gear sometimes on RR crossings and bumps, especially with the taller version.

Don

In the marine trade we used Git Rot.  It soaks in, encapsulates the wood cells and makes rotted, dry rotted wood strong again. Made by Boat Life, available in all marine stores.

Don

That paint job looks really good.  I've got a '39 Dodge pickup I want to do in semi gloss, whose paint did you use?


Don

They were made by Cal Custom, and marketed for VWs and dune buggies.

Geeeeeeez, my memory ISN'T TOTALLY GONE !!!     Now, what was my name???  :oops:

Don

Yeah, I do sort of remember those, think they were '60's era.  Cal Custom comes to mind.  

The more I think about it, I sort of feel these were kind of made for the VW market.  

Don