mercruiser 350's..260hp version vs 250hp version?

[weider1717]

I have a mercruiser 260hp which is ha 84 model.

Friend of mine has a 2001 23.5ft astro desk boat which has a mercruiser that says it's rated at 250hp...

is there really a diff? has the way they rate hp as in gross/net changed and the 250hp version is the same as my 260hp one or what.

was just curious why they made 2 very close rated 350s...seems silly.

do they still make the 260 version like I have?

 

[John_S]

Re: mercruiser 350's..260hp version vs 250hp version?

I have a mercruiser 260hp which is ha 84 model.

Friend of mine has a 2001 23.5ft astro desk boat which has a mercruiser that says it's rated at 250hp...

is there really a diff? has the way they rate hp as in gross/net changed and the 250hp version is the same as my 260hp one or what.

was just curious why they made 2 very close rated 350s...seems silly.

do they still make the 260 version like I have?

Up to sometime in the late 80's they were rated at the crankshaft, like yours. After that, they were rated at the prop, like your friends.

Your friends has the vortec head design, which will produce more hp than a similar configured engine with the "standard" heads, like yours. Measured at the prop they are about the same. They are close in HP, because yours is probably a 4brl carb, while your friends is only 2brl. If your friend put on an intake and 4brl, it would be about 280hp.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: mercruiser 350's..260hp version vs 250hp version?

is there really a diff?


do they still make the 260 version like I have?

Yes, they are as different as any two Small Block Chevies can be. Different heads and intake manifold, different rear main seal, flywheel, and starter.

No they stopped making the "exact" motor you have in 1987.

The new engine is superior in every way, except for maybe the ability to crack heads if the engine gets hot. The Vortec heads breathe better and the motors just make more power than the "old ones" like yours.

 

[weider1717]

Re: mercruiser 350's..260hp version vs 250hp version?

I figured it was something like that....

So, it's the same engine thats in my 96 z71 which is a 350 vortec.

If mine is 260hp rated at the crank how much or approx how much is it at the prop where the newer 250hp engine is measured at?


just to get an idea how far behind a 250hp version I am.

 

[John_S]

Re: mercruiser 350's..260hp version vs 250hp version?

If mine is 260hp rated at the crank how much or approx how much is it at the prop where the newer 250hp engine is measured at?

just to get an idea how far behind a 250hp version I am.

In the early 90's, the 4brl 5.7LX (similiar but not exact same as yours) was rated 250hp at prop, according to Merc's service manual.