3.0 Mercurier ????'s

[JonnyRXT]

Ok guys I know that I might get laughed at but my buddy has a 3.0L I/O in his boat and wants to know if there is anything we can do to pump out a few more ponies????

[wrechin2]

They have already taken the old "IRON DUKE" 2.5L and made it a big bore to get 3.0L. I am sure if he want to spend some major money, he can get more. At what point would it not be more beneficial to find a boat that a tree fell on with 5.7 and take the outdrive (will have different ratio in upper), gimbal housing, ect. and put into his. Would be WAY ahead of the game in my opinion for alot less money.

[aeneas]

:iagree: Or even a 4.3...

[Capt.Insane-o]

You can change the cam and balance it and that is about it. They run pretty smooth after a balancing. But they are what they are for the most part.

Some boats made for the 4 cylinders don't have adequate stringers to mount a V whatever in, so some glass work can be involved, or he could go to the 3.7 In line 4, while kind of an odd piece, can be made to run very well if you can find on that has a good distributor.

[wrechin2]

Yes, the 3.7 is a VERY odd piece and 4.3L would also be a good choice as they can be made to have VERY respectable power. I took for granted it would be a larger boat. Most boats have the option for various engines and would be suffient as they are built exactly the same at the time of process. JMO....

[JonnyRXT]

yeah i looked at the boat and not sure u could put a V anything in there but maybe i am wrong, Its a 95 bayliner 1950 capri classic....

[wrechin2]

Remember a V-6 would only be about 6-10" longer. If he was serious, he may look around or call Bayliner and find out what all engine packages were available for that hull. If it came with a V-6 or V-8, he should have no problem putting them in it. You would have to glass in the mounts to the hull. Maybe change the gimbal housing as some of the exhaust "Y" pipes were different but will have the same boat pattern on the transom. Would be a little work. But would take that for any amout of increase. Not a simple "add 30hp by installing........." But that is just a thought as I see comple boats with damage for a good price.

I am keeping a eye out for one now for a guy who let his 5.8L freeze and bust and I am going to convert it over to 5.7L as in 89 they had both options on a Cobra and the parts are HARD to find. About 6 years ago, the coupler went out and only option was factory. They told me OMC had to have 1,000 orders to produce them again and I was #176!!! Found one here. Now they are available aftermarket.

The 3.7L is a option but is a STRANGE engine. Some of the parts are very expensive. I know the cam seals are a issue on them and you have to install repair sleeves on the cam.

[mackeral5]

those 3.7's are an odd bird to say the least. but as long as they have the updated cooling system (I believe 4" heat exchanger) they seem to run well. good bit of torque for a 4 cyl. and the cam seals in the water pump are definitely an issue, almost always end up having to speedi sleeve the seal surface on the cam.

I saw a company with a website that did an upgrade package on the 3ltr, roller rockers, head porting etc. no clue how good they are...

http://rebuilt.com/181marine.jpg

[flabum1017]

Bayliner? Sell the whole boat and get one that's worth somethong and has good power

[wrechin2]

Bayliner? Sell the whole boat and get one that's worth somethong and has good power

Thought it, didn't want to say it...

The 3.7 is suppose to have a 429/460 head on it. They have MONSTER:eek: valves.......

[Capt.Insane-o]

Eons ago I built a 3.7 with an aluminum SCJ head and all kinds of other doo dads, the friggin thing ran like a raped ape, and as far as I know still lives to this day. It was a heap of trouble to do. Very common motor up around here. It is a half breed bastard child, that is for sure.

[powerabout]

Its was the last project Carl K worked on
I never liked it coz of the ford head and the giant ports.
They were very popluar in twin rigs in Australia and they would last a very long time.

Re the 3.0, guys used them in dirt track cars so there is plenty of stuff around
I raced one on a 16' Donzi in a production offshore class in OZ 25 years ago
We just used screw in rocker studs, roller tip rockers( you couldnt see the tips from the oil cap so it always passed inspection), forged full floating pistons, bigger sump, oil cooler, never let us down.
Used an alpha one SS to get the prop shaft higher, did 70mph
I'd have another rig like that tomorrow