Mercruiser 3.0 motor and coupler interchange

[emilime75]

I'm looking at a 1997 Marada with a bad 3.0. I've got a 1990 Bayliner(ugly and rough) with a good 3.0LX. Can I swap the '90 into the '97? From what I've read so far, the answer is yes, just hoping for some more confirmation.

Also, if I end up buying/doing the above, I plan on replacing the coupler while the motor is out. EzPartsWeb search shows 12632A3 as the part number for the 1990-95. 12632A6 for 1996-97. Shopping for this part shows interchangeability all over the place. Some sites say up to 95, some 97 and some 98. There was also a couple of references stating 12632A7 supercedes both of the others. A6 is half the price of A7, any reason I can't go with A6 on the '90 motor? Any benefit to A7?

Anything else I should replace while the motor is out? Will likely do the oil pan gasket and mount rubber.

Thank you.

 

[Scott Danforth]

while you can, I would seriously look for a 1992 or newer 3.0.

the split point on block design is 1990 and older or 1991 and newer.
and the drive components 91 and older or 92 and newer.

you would have to tear down the motors to a long block and build back up and swap some stuff from the 97 to the 90, then hope that everything fits.....

or simply trade the whole 1990 bilgeliner for a good running newer long block.

 

[Bondo]

you would have to tear down the motors to a long block and build back up and swap some stuff from the 97 to the 90, then hope that everything fits.....

Ayuh,..... I could be wrong, but I believe that swappin' the complete bobtail motors is a plug, 'n play situation,.....

 

[emilime75]

Sorry, I'm a little confused. One says nay, the other says yay...