260 (i think) manifold and riser replacement - can i replace steel with alloy?

[bill91817]

hi guys
new to this forum but have been here a while looking!. I recently purchased a boat which has what I think is a 260 Merc in it.
It is raw water cooled, carby model. The serial number does not come up in any of the search engines i have used as a merc block (serial = VH126268) Engine is showing 440 hours and starts and runs fine. I am looking to go over it and change impellors, manifolds/risers and filters (the oil filter is in a really hard to get to spot under the port side manifold!)
The manifold and risers on it currently are (merc manifold equiv) = 87114 and (merc riser equiv #) = 44354.
The question i have is - am i able to replace these cast iron manifolds and risers with aluminium ones instead? -

Also - if anyone knows of a good site that supplies parts that ships to Australia - that would be greatly appreciated
thanks
Bill

 

[achris]

Hello Bill and :welcome: to iboats.

First off, getting heavy parts (manifolds and risers are good examples) into Australia is expensive, and usually works out more expensive than buying them here. If you have a friend in the US, then getting smaller parts (implklers, gasket sets, spark plugs etc) is more economical. The other issue is the 'agreement' Mercury OEM suppliers are required to sign before becoming dealers. That agreement is that they will not sell parts directly into a country with an active Merc dealer network, that means USA based suppliers can't sell into Australia. Another option I use is to go direct to the original supplier, like Gates for belts (buy at Repco etc), Oildyne for trim pump parts, GM for engine long block parts. Try and keep Merc out of the deal as much as possible.

Searching Australian serial numbers doesn't work either. Most of the sites are programmed for US/Canada sold serial numbers :facepalm:.... Can you post your serial number and I'll do an Australian look-up (I have the books).... The number you put up is not a valid Merc serial number (could it be 0F126268?, in which case it's a 1994 350 Magnum with an Alpha drive)

Now, onto using ali manifolds. I'm supposing you're in Perth, and use the boat on our local lake (the Indian Ocean)... That's salty, and using any ali parts in salt is generally a bad idea... Best stick to iron parts on an iron engine.... Sorry...

Chris..........
(in Perth)

 

[NHGuy]

If you boat is salt water don't get aluminum, get cast iron.
Aluminum is good because it's light.
Whatever you get, put a straight edge across the mating surfaces and if they are anything less than perfectly flat, correct it.
Or, if you want to be absolutely certain of no issues with that, you can get a retrofit setup that uses a dry joint.

 

[Scott Danforth]

your in Australia. get a set of Hi-Tek manifolds.

http://www.hitekmarine.com.au/

 

[achris]

... (the oil filter is in a really hard to get to spot under the port side manifold!)...

Had that on my previous V6. Removed the filter and installed an adaptor with a couple of 3/4" brass nipples on, then ran a couple of 3/4" oil rated hoses to a remove filter I mounted on the bulkhead in front of the engine. Oil & filter changes were a breeze after that A kit something like THIS.

Chris......

 

[bill91817]

thanks guys that's great - to cast iron it is and yes our lake is especially salty . Chris thanks for the info and link to the remote filter - that looks like a great idea my biggest concern is being able to physically get to it! - to date I have only seen the filter by using my phone to video under the motor (restricted access). I will have another look at the serial no - it definitely looks like a v but will try and take a better picture to confirm. The carby cover has a sticker on it saying "Quicksilver repower" so it may not be an original mercruiser block?

 

[achris]

... my biggest concern is being able to physically get to it! - ..

You'd only have to do it once.

Chris.....

 

[bill91817]

I rechecked the engine no - is definitely stamped VH126268 - this is (as you are looking front on to the engine) on the left hand side on a face just behind the recirculating pump - assume it is not a merc block

 

[achris]

That's a GM casting number. HERE is where to find Merc serial numbers.

 

[bill91817]

great thanks mate will have a look tonight, I have manifolds off so should be pretty easy to find. I have bought a remote oil filter kit (thanks for the heads up!) and have gone with hi-tek manifolds ex Qld. Replaced the raw water impellor (kit), circulating pump and fitting a sea strainer to the raw water intake.... been busy few days!

 

[redneck joe]

Do the oil finter thing. Do it. Do it. Do it...

 

[bill91817]

That's a GM casting number. HERE is where to find Merc serial numbers.

hi mate - had a look above the starter and there is no plate there, nor is there evidence that there ever was, the carby cover has a Quicksilver Repower sticker on it - so assume it is a non merc utilised GM block.

 

[achris]

Unfortunately I have no lookup for the repower engines.

 

[bill91817]

Unfortunately I have no lookup for the repower engines.

no probs - it all seems to be coming along nicely - a lot easier to get some of the sparkplugs out with the manifolds off! - one in particular looks alittle old (up behinds alternator) - suggest that one may have been skipped or put in the too hard basket!

 

[achris]

Get a standard 3/8" drive 5/8" spark plug socket and grind the shoulders off it. Makes it easier to get spark plugs in and out. Never had a problem getting them out with the manifolds on.

Chris......

 

[bill91817]

Get a standard 3/8" drive 5/8" spark plug socket and grind the shoulders off it. Makes it easier to get spark plugs in and out. Never had a problem getting them out with the manifolds on.

Chris......

thanks mate - fitting hi-tek manifolds as well so hopefully that gives me a bit more room!