Re power my sea ray. Engine manufacture opinion?

[CAPTKEV85]

Hello everyone it's been a while since I have been on. Back in sept I removed my very tired 350 small block. Burnt valves head gasket etc... I have been looking for a reman/crate motor because mine is beyond repair. I've been looking at michiganmotorz.com they seem to have good packages. I also look at us engines but heard bad reviews. I also plan on putting a fresh water cooling system (full). Any advice will help. The boat is an 85 sea ray so I plan on bumping horsepower. She's a pig.

 

[kbsunlovers]

Re: Re power my sea ray. Engine manufacture opinion?

Hey Kev -
Firstly, serial numbers for the engine and drive would help a lot, and minimize assumptions.

That hull with an Alpha 1 & correct prop performs well with a healthy & properly tuned 350 - don't count out a direct swap or local rebuild. There are also a number of threads already dealing with the large-scale rebuilders you may want to look over. Make sure your ancillary systems (fuel/carb, ignition, exhaust) are all up to snuff as well, or you'll just be carrying old problems over to your fresh long block.

That being said, and there are many assumptions in this statement... I'd be looking at a 2-piece RMS 383. Performs even more nicely with that hull, and would be an easy swap as long as you've done your homework.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Re power my sea ray. Engine manufacture opinion?

Kev, Check out the below link from a Mercruiser You tube video as well as their remanned (merc calls them "Plus-Series") catalog. I just put in 2 of their remanned 350 mag MPI's in my boat last year and was very happy with them. Basically they take old blocks that still meet factory spec and replace the internals with all new. Also new wiring harness, starter, fuel delivery, alternator, everything on the outside that you can see is bran new. One of the biggest benefits is getting a like new motor without having to get all the pollution control. (catalytic converters) You would also save a lot on the fresh water cooled system if you got it from Merc when you bought the motor. They also sell remanned drives that are 100% new they just hand assemble them as they need them.

Mercury Remanufacturing - MerCruiser - YouTube

http://www.mercurymarine.com/media/mercury/brochures/8M0060456_PlusSeries_PocketGuide_72LR.pdf

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