New 5.7

[Snowturtle]

I am trying to replace the Mercruiser 260 (GM 5.7) in my 1983 Starfire and am wondering if it still needs to be a pre-1985 motor or if I can put in a newer one since they are easier to find. Would I need to buy many new components? Will a slightly newer one bolt up to my Alpha 1 outdrive? Or best to just wait longer for a reman and get the right vintage? Kinda new to boat mechanics...
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

nothing about boat mechanics.

its about SBC design generations

you can bolt in any SBC you want. however your motor is 1-piece RMS, so anything 1986 and newer will require a new flywheel.

all SBC's and BBC's from 1956 to today have the same flywheel housing bolt pattern.

your accessories and accessory drive should bolt on to any later SBC

starting in 1996, there are no longer any mechanical fuel pump bosses on production blocks.

 

[Snowturtle]

So I could spend a couple hundred on a new flywheel and be good to go if I got an 86-87 instead of an 83? How about the coupler? I need a new one anyway so I would just need to make sure I got the right one for that motor and outdrive. Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

So I could spend a couple hundred on a new flywheel and be good to go if I got an 86-87 instead of an 83? How about the coupler? I need a new one anyway so I would just need to make sure I got the right one for that motor and outdrive. Thanks

flywheel is $79. its a GM truck flywheel for a manual transmission.

I would get a 1996 or newer (vortec heads and roller cam) vs dealing with the 86-87 stuff

you need the retrofit coupler for the new flywheel

 

[Snowturtle]

flywheel is $79. its a GM truck flywheel for a manual transmission.

I would get a 1996 or newer (vortec heads and roller cam) vs dealing with the 86-87 stuff

you need the retrofit coupler for the new flywheel

Wow, I like it! Thanks!