Re: 1989 mercruiser 3.0 l - Alpha 1 outdrive
As far as swapping the engine, any 'base' 3.0 (OMC, Merc) will work. I got mine, a 'new' 2002, for $1250 from International Diesel in Brooklyn, NY. I work right across the river from NYC so there was no shipping, I just backed my pickup up to their garage door and they dumped in in the truck with a forklift. <br /><br />The 'base' motors are basically long blocks. Complete minus accessories like water pump, manifold, distributor. <br /><br />If you want something a little more complete, I thing Roger at Michiganmotorz.com regularly sells the 3.0 with a distributor installed on Ebay for about $1350 or so. <br /><br />Good luck! If you end up doing a swap and need advice feel free to email me, huminski@optonline(dot)net. Replace the (dot) with a "." of course. I just over this winter replaced a blown OMC 3.0 (1988) in my boat with the 2002 I mentioned above. <br /><br />When going to a new block, everything from the old motor will bolt on, EXCEPT the flywheel and coupler. You will need the later-model one-peice rear-main seal types of these. I got my coupler on Ebay for $40 and the flywheel from Roger for $175 I think...
<br /><br />If everything else is in good working order and if you can do the work yourself, you can get a new engine in there for about $1800 by the time you're done. Was a good deal to me, I paid $1200 for my 19ft boat, motor and trailer, so for about $3200 (I bought all new manifold and elbow) I have a nice boat, with a warrantied, brand new engine. Can't beat that!
