Mercruiser 4.3LX advice needed

[Tubingluvr]

My latest project....1996 Baja 180 Islander...engine and outdrive where already gone when I got it.
I have figured out the outdrive was an Alpha I Gen II....plan on an aftermarket outdrive but need to know what gear ratio.
But my bigger dilemma is the engine....I need a complete turn key engine but a complete remanufactured drop in engine is about twice by budget.
I was thinking about buying a junk 4.3 and switching everything over to the reman engine....or do you think I should just look for a good used drop in engine....also if the boat is a 1996 is there a window of certain years I should stick with??
Did the wiring change over the years?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3LX advice needed

My latest project....1996 Baja 180 Islander...engine and outdrive where already gone when I got it.
I have figured out the outdrive was an Alpha I Gen II....plan on an aftermarket outdrive but need to know what gear ratio.
But my bigger dilemma is the engine....I need a complete turn key engine but a complete remanufactured drop in engine is about twice by budget.
I was thinking about buying a junk 4.3 and switching everything over to the reman engine....or do you think I should just look for a good used drop in engine....also if the boat is a 1996 is there a window of certain years I should stick with??
Did the wiring change over the years?

Ayuh,.... Sounds like ya got yerself somebodyelse's Donor boat, that ya need a Donor boat to get it runnin',..??

Have ya found a transom assembly yet,..??

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3LX advice needed

Ayuh,.... Sounds like ya got yerself somebodyelse's Donor boat, that ya need a Donor boat to get it runnin',..??

Have ya found a transom assembly yet,..??

The transom assy is there as well as the trim cylinders and trim pump and all the wiring that runs along the transom is there but everything else is gone

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3LX advice needed

Hey, b4 you spend the $, check that hull for damage and soft spots. Especially transom and stringers. Is the floor solid? Are the seat frames good?
Make sure you don't fill up a bad boat with good driveline stuff.
ps. Hope I am off base!

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3LX advice needed

Hey, b4 you spend the $, check that hull for damage and soft spots. Especially transom and stringers. Is the floor solid? Are the seat frames good?
Make sure you don't fill up a bad boat with good driveline stuff.
ps. Hope I am off base!

hull and deck are solid .....only bad spot on the entire boat is the plywood for the sun pad where the hinges screw into it