Is this the end of my V20?

[macojoe]

You can get a good used 15t0 Merc for like $2000 or less!!

Fix the hole about $200 for material and your time, A usexd bracket $500 or less.
Check ebay, crigslist, local boat yards for a take off.

I had mine all set to go in a week end after I located all the parts

Go to the gallery and look at my gallery shows pic's there of my redo, ask all the questions you want, I am not the only one that has done it!!

[parishht]

Here is a link to the gallery home page:

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/v20_step

[phatdaddy]

look at it as not the end of your v-20, but the re-birth of your v-20!!

[djfam]

Some of these brackets look great. Macojoe - I am impressed with what you did.

My only thought is that it would cost me 2-3 grand to do this, and a rebuild on my motor now would cost that, maybe even less. Is it worth it? Are there any performance benefits to going the bracket/outboard route?

The boat itself is in great shape for an '83 and i hate to get rid of it, but spending a) lots of time to redo it and b) lots of money to do it - are not what I was hoping for as we enter boating and fishing season.

[Genie Aye]

Is this the 3.7 litre merc? They had real issues with the exhaust manifold rotting out--I have seen this several times with these motors. Start at the basics before going crazy. Pull the exhaust manifold and riser and inspect them--I will bet they are the source of your problem. Hopefully you did not hydraulic a rod. These are expensive engines to rebuild if it comes to that. A 150hp outboard will out run and out gun that 170ho I/O.

Good luck with the issue and your decision.

[djfam]

Genie Aye....thanks.

I had read that the exhaust manifolds were suspect on these motors and planned on pulling mine this weekend. What should I look for in your opinion? I'm sure it is hard to see inside. Do they need pressure tested and if so, how is that done?

[Road King Cole]

Hi djfam,

I'm probably not much help, but I hope you are able to save your engine without too much cost\time. I am not in the upper "bracketed outboard" club\groupie thing going on here. My previous owner had put in a rebuilt merc 470 a year or two before I bought it from him. Albeit I never had a bracketed outboard, but I am happy with the 470 set up. They sound good, sip gas and troll well. Being that I am not on a smooth lake, it goes plenty fast enough for me.

Good luck!

rkc