Is this the end of my V20?

[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

[djfam]

So I finally got to check my compression and it is pretty good. 140, 110, 125, 130. I'm a little concerned about the 110, but it is still right around the right margin. I am still diagnosing the issue, but I am not so sure now that I have a cracked block. There may still be a head gasket issue, but I am leaning now towards the exhaust manifold and elbow as culprits. If the water back flowed through the manifold into the engine, through a crack or busted gasket, I think this may have caused my issue. I will check this weekend if time/weather permits.

One problem I will have if it is the manifold is that it is not made anymore and not really able to be purchased anywhere. Mercruiser number is 71527A17. No-one makes them so I guess I will have to buy used on Ebay if anyone ever posts one. Can I take these to a machine shop for repairing?