Re: Just got boat, need motor
I have a friend that worked in the GM foundry that cast all the engines for Mercruiser. He said Mercury spec'd out the cast iron, and it was a different metal makeup that what GM used on the 350 engines. They'd come in a couple of days per year--and supervise all the engine castings. Mercury takes them back to their facilities to do the machining and assembly. These are not Chevy motors, in reality.
Marine engines are stressed substantially more than car engines, and they use special high torque/low RPM camshafts. Some people on this forum will tell you that the motor mounts, etc. for Mercruiser are the same as for a Chevy truck. I'd tell you to pull your engine before you buy any truck engine--to make comparisons. There again, some truck engines are hopped up so much that they can hold up to the stresses imposed in marine use.
I personally would look on EbayMotors.com for a marine engine--or on other internet websites. Your boat is rather aging, and the older outdrive units are best not pushed with too much horsepower. You really don't need to overspend on such an old boat.
Another issue is whether there are any soft spots or deteriorating structure under your fiberglass--a very common problem on fiberglass boats. Make sure the hull is 100% before you go repowering it.
I have a friend that worked in the GM foundry that cast all the engines for Mercruiser. He said Mercury spec'd out the cast iron, and it was a different metal makeup that what GM used on the 350 engines. They'd come in a couple of days per year--and supervise all the engine castings. Mercury takes them back to their facilities to do the machining and assembly. These are not Chevy motors, in reality.
Marine engines are stressed substantially more than car engines, and they use special high torque/low RPM camshafts. Some people on this forum will tell you that the motor mounts, etc. for Mercruiser are the same as for a Chevy truck. I'd tell you to pull your engine before you buy any truck engine--to make comparisons. There again, some truck engines are hopped up so much that they can hold up to the stresses imposed in marine use.
I personally would look on EbayMotors.com for a marine engine--or on other internet websites. Your boat is rather aging, and the older outdrive units are best not pushed with too much horsepower. You really don't need to overspend on such an old boat.
Another issue is whether there are any soft spots or deteriorating structure under your fiberglass--a very common problem on fiberglass boats. Make sure the hull is 100% before you go repowering it.
