Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

[Steve91T]

I'm getting ready to purchase this boat. 400 hours or so, well maintained. I don't know anything about the marine EFI other than it's 260 with an Alpha one. I know the Alpha One's are good to 300 hp.

Where can I get more info on this engine, more importantly the fuel injection? What kind of problems can I expect? How reliable? And what exactly is the difference between the 260 hp 350 and the 300 hp 350?

Thank you,
Steve

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1995-MARIAH-Shabah-Z202-97448241

 

[Brucetafer]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

my buddy bought a ski centurion with a 350 merc with alpha one and his had around 700 hours and ran good, there was always problems with his boat, EFI pump, electrical, all kinds of problems, but hey what boat DOESN'T have probems...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

And what exactly is the difference between the 260 hp 350 and the 300 hp 350?

Ayuh,... My guess is the 260hp is throttle body EFI, 'n the 300hp is MPI...

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

What does MPI stand for?

Can you compare between the reliability of carb and EFI?

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

Multi Port Injection?

I don't know, I'm guessing....

 

[Brucetafer]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

massive poon integrator....

jk, multi port is right..

you can tell really easily, it should be a 2 bbl TBI style, if it is a MPI, youll see 8 injectors and fuel rails... so either look for a carb looking injection or mpi...

 

[Brucetafer]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

in terms of reliability, anything can fail... injectors rarely go bad... i would see if its electronic ignition first, if it has a electronic distributor and spark plug wires, you shouldn't have to worry about that... if theres independent coils on each plug, then i would worry, i know in the car industry those are a nightmare... if its built like the pre vortec gm motors it should be a TBI style, which if i remember right should be 89-94 or 95 is when they did vortec... anyhow, the TBI was very reliable... my experience is the less amount of electronics on anything the better when it comes to fuel...

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

That's funny....I know its the EFI, just wanted to know the difference.

Great, thank you. Did you see the pic of the engine in the link I posted? I don't think its electric ignition.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Brucetafer]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

thats a sweet boat, and for the price, i wouldnt really worry... theres no way to tell anything from the pics above, other than it looks pretty...

put it this way, anything you own, reliable or not, its going to cost money and break... its inevitable... my old first gen 12 valve cummins is supposed to be the standard of diesel reliability... but its cost me some cash with little things here and there.. the 350 is about as reliable of a motor as ive seen..

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

Oh yeah I know. There's a reason the Chevy 350 is famous. I just wasn't familiar with the marine EFI.

About your Cummins, well, you should have gotten a 7.3 Powerstroke

Thanks for everyone's help. I can't wait to get it home!

Steve

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

It's TBI, it's the SAME exact system GM used on their truck engines of those years. That 260 will probably have a roller camshaft but definately NOT Vortec heads. Cause Vortec didn't come out until 1996. I had TBI on my 1997 "5.7EFI Gen +" (280hp, roller cam WITH Vortec heads) and had ZERO trouble with it for the 10 years and 805 hours I owned it. There can be issues with the fuel pressure regulator, which can require the ENGINE to have to be removed to change it. Bad design, I know, but it's a fact of life.
MPI is indeed multi port injection. That's what the 300hp will have.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

"And what exactly is the difference between the 260 hp 350 and the 300 hp 350? "

'Ayuh,... My guess is the 260hp is throttle body EFI, 'n the 300hp is MPI...'

Plus the 300 has a different camshaft.

 

[Brucetafer]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

@steve, had a 2001 7.3, 296K miles, 6 speed manual, was the best truck ive ever owned, but it was stolen and burned... funny thing is, it still started... lol... my buddies cummins has over 600K miles, original everything except battery and injection pump.... i wish cummins made a boat motor lol.... when this truck falls apart im going to use the motor in a camaro or chevelle...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

i wish cummins made a boat motor lol...

You are joking right? They do make boat engines, of course.

 

[Brucetafer]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

well, you learn something everyday... must be a big boat for that much motor... i know ive never seen any cummins in a boat before... well at least 24 feet and under...

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

I've got a 6-speed also.....just rolled over 201,000 miles. I had an oil analyses done and they said this engine is wearing beautifully. I love my truck.

I've actually seen marine Cummins, but I'm pretty sure they are pushing a pretty large boat. Sucks these engines weigh so much. It's almost hard to find a turbo diesel under 1000 lbs. Even the 4bt is pushing 800 lbs.

I'm thinking a 12 valve would be perfect in something that had a big block in it. Do a few mods and you'll have 800 ft/lbs of tq going to the drive. That would be a fun boat!

 

[Brucetafer]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

would be a fun boat, but the outdrive would HATE life...

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need info on a 1995 5.7 Merc EFI...

It would, but you see those speed boats running around with huge blown big blocks, what kind of outdrives do they run?