Repower I/O Qs.

[Hammerhead]

My 165 inline 6 finally croaked. I dunno if it's just a head gasket or worse but since it's over 30 years old I figure it's time to repower. Question is..just replace the 6..go with a V-8 ??? or is there a inline 4 available? Any tho'ts?
Power wise the setup now is OK...I'd like better economy...would a inline 4 be any better?

I also figure a whole engine/outdrive package will what I'll end up doin;....anything other than dumpimng 40 Gs in a NEW boat.

[frayed_knot]

It all kinda depends. I don't know if a V-8 will just bolt into your current configuration. It might if the stringers are the same width. The V-8 motor mounts bolt into the top of the stringers. I wouldn't recommend going with a 4 cyl engine, you wouldn't like it too much I don't think. V-8's are the best way to go IMO. Now about 8 guys on here will tell you to put a bracket on it and slap an OB on there. Now, a new 200 hp OB will run somewhere in the $14,000 + range, new Mercruiser engine is about $5,000 and a brand new outdrive from Sterndrive Engineering is about $1200, you are way ahead with just repowering.

[spareparts]

the v8 repower is the cheapest for hp way to go, check with ebasicpower, call for their repower specials, it changes faster than their website. If you really want to do something different, Yanmar has some diesel packages that will bolt up to a Mercruisr. Mercruiser has soem new ones out that would work as well, but they are all going to be expensive.

[THEFERMANATOR]

A 4.3L V-6 would be a nice repower if you go I/O. You can get them fuel injected at around 200HP.

Maybe this one: http://northamerica.mercurymarine.co...es/mpi4-3l.php

[macojoe]

350m will fit in there but you going to have to do some work to get it in there!!

There gear ratio will be different the the leg you have now which will mean a rebuild.

As for some here saying to add a bracket, I am one of them!! Best thing you can do!! I had the same set up as you befotre I converted.

as for it being $14K for a outboard, thats one figure that has been done here for a 07 200 ETec
That doesn't mean thats the only way to go and that all motors cost that much!!

There are left over 2 strokes out there and I am sure you can find one for about $7 or $8 k

Will cost more to convert and bracket, but will out last, with much lower maintance then any I/O out there.
Will extend the season if you are in a cold area also!! With todays motors even the gas in a OB isn't all that bad!

I/O if thats what you like go for it, but converting is only as expenive as you want it to be!

Good Luck with what ever you do!!

[Skools Out]

there has been some I/O's with 502 BBC motors as well. so just up to you but a big block will fit as well.

[regidog]

Can't be a 350. be careful though with the 2000 era EFI. Look on craigslist I see one at least once a month for $1000 or under.

[spareparts]

generally on the repower market, the 4.3s are the most expensive engine per hp available, last time I checked, the 5.0L MPI's @ 260 hp were the best bang for the buck. Personnaly, i would be looking at the 6.2 EFI repower package from Mercruiser @ 330 HP, but thats just me

[THEFERMANATOR]

This link should give you a general idea of the cost of repower(but the packages can be gotten MUCH cheaper).
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/mercr...ive_engine.asp

[Hammerhead]

Just dropped it off at the wrench. He's gonna see how bad it is. I can get it to run but, it's awful noisy. Clanking, grinding....not good. I drained the oil ( water in it) and added kerosene and oil, ran it for a minute and drained that out trying to flush whatever water was still in it. I think the main berings are toast. The wrench is suggesting I replace with the same motor if he can find one cuz the outdrive won't work with any other motor....otherwise a 5.7 whole package if I wanna repower completley.