2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

[tjlowery]

I have a 2001 Sea Ray with a cracked block and want to know what engine options I have? Other than a long block from rapido, or michiganmotorz, what other options are out there. I have done a little bit of reading on replacing marine motors with auto motors. What options would I have? Would I just need to find the same year motor (2001 4.3L) and swap the heads, and marine specific items over? What about upgrading the engine, any suggestions?

We will be using the boat to pull wakeboarders and a full boat so more power would be a good thing.

Thanks

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

Your best option really is to buy a reman marine longblock. As for car/truck engines, unless you find one with under bout 30k miles (not likely, considering how long its been since they used the 4.3 in trucks) it would need a full rebuild to handle the stress of marine duty.

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

I don't have the link but you should try Roadmasterengines.com they are from texas and have the lowest prices on engines i've found. probably dozens of those engines ready to ship to your front door. i've bought three from them, two long blocks and one short block. check them out for a short block. very impressive service. super fast shipping. ask for Holley.

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

oh i just read the part about more power, i didn't see it in your post at first. heck yes more power when you have it out. Cam, heads, intake, carb, ignition, you name it. 4.3 will easily make 275 hp. i promise you it will. call comp cams in memphis tn. tell them what you want to do. then get your wallet ready. or just throw the 4.3 out and drop in a 350. just my opinion. Ive done it myself so i know it works.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

Here's 226HP right out of the GM crate.

http://www.gm.com/experience/technology/gmpowertrain/engines/specialized/marine/2009_4300_Marine.pdf

 

[tjlowery]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Tommy, I'll definitely look at the roadmasters place, and see what they have to offer. As for the 350 you mentioned, I am assuming that was a marine 350?

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

Instead of doing alot of mods,(which may not work) I agree with going to a 5.0 or 5.7. How big is the boat?

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

I'm not a marine expert, however there are some on here like don the moderator and bondo, and many others. These are my opinions.. If there is room and you want more power put in a 350 chevy. It's the cheapest engine on the planet to buy parts for I think. Makes insane power for your money. Most bang bang for the buck. Deminsionally identical externally to a 305 and only about 8 inches longer than your 4.3 same bolt pattern. You will have to have the correct flywheel, coupler, and starter though. And engineounts, brackets, piping etc. It can get complicated depending on your skills. But very possible! As far as marine goes.. An engine in long block or short block configuration is almost identical to automotive. This I know. The camshaft could be a different grind. I bet don can tell you. My boat is running a gmpp crate engine. "truck" replacement. Minus the junkyard shortblock I used to replace the cracked block I had a month ago! But what I'm saying is I used the cam and lifters from my crate engine. Works great and I bet I'm making 250 plus hp with my cam and edelbrock induction.

 

[captmello]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

If you go to a 350 you'll be looking at an outdrive ratio issue as well. Just swap for another 4.3 with a marine/truck cam, brass plugs, etc., and get yourself a four barrel carb.

 

[dingdongs]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

next winter remember to winterize .draining water will save all this expense.

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: 2001 Sea Ray Cracked block -- What engine options do I have?

Agreed, I didn't think about the ratio. We did however do this to a marada boat with a merc 4.3, swapped in a 350, however we had access to all parts from a donor boat. All we did was use the 350 parts and moved the mounts up on the stringers. We got lucky I guess on the ratio. I don't know but it ran fine and tremendous power increase. Without dinar parts it would have cost us a fortune. That crate engine mentioned above with a healthy cam and 600cfm carb will be the best choice I think.