OMC blocks

[Wild Bill]

Where is the serial number on open deck loopers? I want to figure out what year they are. A friend went to the big lake in the sky last Saturday and has a ported block in a box and I think a complete parts motor. His girlfriend wants them out of there before the family feud starts. Of course they don't know what they are. I told his girlfriend that with work those engines con be ridiculous.
Are the 16 inch mid section still available?

[Instigator]

On a Welch plug in back of block, towards top of exhaust chest.

If it has bridged exhaust ports it’s ‘86/87.

If it’s single, oval exhaust ports, non finger ports it’s ‘88 -‘92.

If it has fingers it’s ‘93+.

Last I heard, Sam Jenkins was still making 16” mids.

[Wild Bill]

Thanks, which one would be best to make a monster pump gas engine? Don't think I want the bridge port, I had one of the merc 2.4's. Still have it if anyone wants a parts motor. What do you think of the DBR sleeves? I might call next week when I am off work. I think I still Have your number.

[Instigator]

A lot Depends on budget.

The bridgeports take the most work but are huge bang for the buck.
My first hot rod OB was one.

They we’re only 2.7 liters but the sleeves are thick enough to bore to 3.0 specs.
Mine lasted through several owners and s bunch of hrs.

The finger ports are easiest and cheapest due most of the work being done already.

You need to be good w/a die grinder or willing to pay someone who is and have the patience to make it through tuning w/o burning it down.

You can’t just bolt one together and go.
Most that go down that path, don’t stay on it long.

Thanks, which one would be best to make a monster pump gas engine? Don't think I want the bridge port, I had one of the merc 2.4's. Still have it if anyone wants a parts motor. What do you think of the DBR sleeves? I might call next week when I am off work. I think I still Have your number.

[Wild Bill]

What I am looking for is a 400 HP pump gas motor that isn't unusable. I can't get Mother Mercury to build the outboard I want. A 15-inch 4ooR v8, but they built a 700 plus pound v 10. I guess it would look cool with a 15-inch mid. I guess my boat would hold it up' they used to rig them with twin 2.5's

[Instigator]

Good luck w/that.

Id guess my last one was close to that but can’t begin to explain how to replicate it.
Took a ton time and a bunch of blown up motors.

What I am looking for is a 400 HP pump gas motor that isn't unusable

[Wild Bill]

​Here is some pics. Its worse than I thought. The block was honed and ready to go, now it's rusted up and cant find the rods. I am going back next week to hunt some more It is a bummer rooting through a boating buddy of 30 years garage.

[racer]

Looks to be a 96 to 98 block. Porting looks to be on the mild side, maybe 300 or so HP with a good set of heads.

[Wild Bill]

Good eye, that was what Jeff was shooting for. I wish I had a good port map for way more HP.
There has been a bass boat with a 3-liter sitting outside a marina at Hamilton Lake for a long time so I stopped and inquired within. Turnes out the guy brought it in for service and the marina told him there was too much wrong to fix and he never picked it up. They offered to give me his number to see if he wants to sell it, I told them I would let it sit some more.
Do those 16 inch mids fit a OMC clamping bracket or a merc.