Went to the local dealer for a can of spray paint and.....

[Instigator]

bought this damn thing It's wounded but too pretty and too cheap to pass up. Always liked the style of this era/model.

'2004 3.3 liter 225 HO w/a Lightning L/U. One owner w/250 hrs.
Covered with dirt but will clean up really nice. Even has 95% of the paint on the l/u. Had been shopping for a 20" motor to build a new project but this thing may go back together stock.

Humhhhhh....., what to do, what to do...................

[phantomuk]

Oh come on you cant throw that out here and leave us hanging!!!! Is there going to be an epic build thread?

[wanagofass]

Hhhmmm?

I've got an idea!

[Lockjaw]

Nice find!!!! I wish I could find a cheap 150HO BRP Ficht.

[jjmalkow]

can't wait to see what you come up with next!

[frederick55]

Wish I could get one of those in a can of spray paint!

[BeefKid]

how much you want for it? keep the lower!

[rev.ronnie]

Go back for a gallon of paint, you'll come home with a Rolls Royce turbine engine.

[Instigator]

Really torn at what to do w/this one......

Had made my mind up to build something old school for an open bow to play with on our river and then stumbled on this. The idea of whisper quiet and killer mileage sounds damn good too.
On the other hand, a 3.3 liter, bottom fed, 20" late model, near virgin mid and lower......., not sure I can keep my hands out of it.
I remember reading when these things first came out that guys were cutting the tops (pockets) off the pistons and bolting on 3.0/2.7 heads and carbs and having at it. I might open it up and have a look.
To do it right we are taught to switch to the longer 3.0 rods too which I did on my last one but then you're buying 6 pistons too.
Currently (to change at a minutes notice) I'm thinking , cut down 3.3 pistons, 2.7 heads, big bores, an air box, VRO and see what happens????
Would either be the sleeper from hell or my next sacrifice to the Gods of speed for in my garden.
Hummhhhh......

Been looking for a 21' Checkmate Starliner to build an 8 for but this may due for now ; )

[phantomuk]

Cant wait! Always like the sound of the fichts. I prefered the power delivery to the etecs

[motorheadbishop]

Sweet Gary!e

[Tony Brucato]

But, did you remember to bring home the spray paint?

[baja200merk]

Have you had the head off? I have seen quite a few of the early ones where the pin fell out of the piston (have one now). They almost always need a sleeve when it happens but thats no big deal. Marles can fix the piston, hes done about 30 for me problem solved. I have seen commercial engines with 2500hrs and perfect compression. With all those hours the piston skirts have about had it and I have seen them come off and get punched through the front half and the motor still had perfect compression

Run it STOCK!!!! You will love the grunt/mileage. The short rod 3.3 DI is a strong motor especially on the bottom/mid range. I ran a 225DI and 225 e-tec back to back and couldnt tell the difference in mileage or grunt.

Next month or so we are rigging a 250DI on taylor mid with 1.75 fleetmaster on my buddy's new to him 20xd bullet. He is non-skiding the deck and painting the boat, gonna be a bad arse flats boat. His 950 hour 250DI pushed his action craft flats boat 76.7 with a 28p suzuki through hub, no low water pickup, case buried and motor on the limiter. We are hoping for 90s out of the bullet

[Instigator]

But, did you remember to bring home the spray paint?

Yep, and it cost me a thousand dollars ; ) Did come w/the virgin 6" jack plate too though.
Fun buying hi perf junk from recreational dealers that could care less about it.

Here it is after a bath.

Kevin, have heard nothing but good about these things. My die grinders are covered w/dust though so we'll see ; ) Plus I miss playing w/my carbies.
Also thinking I heard 7K w/stock 3.3 internals (w/scalped pistons).

[baja200merk]

If it didnt come with an oil tank you got ripped

Just think you could have $1500 in a motor you wont have to take the cover off of for yrs. Thats if you can fight the urge to double your money