Whats the reason for using the "older" Mercs as apposed to a new Merc?

[Krazymaan]

You can easily sell your 300x and buy any other motor you want and have left over change.

[flattracker60]

You can easily sell your 300x and buy any other motor you want and have left over change.

I'm looking to getting another boat, and am doing my motor homework. The 300xs is staying on my Liberator.

[Krazymaan]

I was thinking you were repowering for a lighter motor. Gotchya

[Varmint]

AND, as far as a 260 and re-ringing....I bought a brand new one in 1995 and ran it on a fishing boat until 2015 without touching it!!!!
Grant you it wasn't ran at 7500rpm constantly like most racing applications but Lord know how many hours were on it when I did a complete overhaul inc. replated cyls!!!!
This time around unless I start showing a bad leakdown it will get rings at 200 hours even though most recommend 100!

7500 would be takin' it easy,9-9500 they run,and more,,for your application,another option would have been to steel bore all 6,and never touch it forever.

[WillySteve]

7500 would be takin' it easy,9-9500 they run,and more,,for your application,another option would have been to steel bore all 6,and never touch it forever.

I certainly thought about that but as good'a luck as I've had with my style of driving, plus the fact that I don't have to worry about cold seizures as much, I opted on replating!!!
I ran an '84 2.4 EFI HiPo for almost 12 years untouched too

[powerabout]

http://www.caldwellracingtechnology.com/

[Laser88]

What's a motor that requires less maintenance then the 260/280? I don't NEED to go 128mph.....

Getting into this sport is all about the fine tuning, so if you don't like turning a wrench you might be better off keeping the 300xs and put it on a 22' bass boat. A steel sleeve ProMax is about the best alternative as it seems to run forever...

I was fortunate to find a bunch of great friends here Da Wylie Boyz, so for me finding a great group of friends and mentors helped. I think part of the fun is that you realize what challenges everyone else had to go through (i.e. easiest chick in HS was never the most desired)

I've run a 260 for 120+ hours and have great leak-down so far (knock on wood). Most of my buddies run Allisons, STV, Laser, or Hydrostreams. A v-hull will keep you at the edge of your seat. Good luck and remember to cover all the safety (basics) first. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here, who know much more than I...

[Varmint]

I certainly thought about that but as good'a luck as I've had with my style of driving, plus the fact that I don't have to worry about cold seizures as much, I opted on replating!!!
I ran an '84 2.4 EFI HiPo for almost 12 years untouched too

you have had good luck,good luck with this rebuild.

[flattracker60]

Getting into this sport is all about the fine tuning, so if you don't like turning a wrench you might be better off keeping the 300xs and put it on a 22' bass boat. A steel sleeve ProMax is about the best alternative as it seems to run forever...

I was fortunate to find a bunch of great friends here Da Wylie Boyz, so for me finding a great group of friends and mentors helped. I think part of the fun is that you realize what challenges everyone else had to go through (i.e. easiest chick in HS was never the most desired)

I've run a 260 for 120+ hours and have great leak-down so far (knock on wood). Most of my buddies run Allisons, STV, Laser, or Hydrostreams. A v-hull will keep you at the edge of your seat. Good luck and remember to cover all the safety (basics) first. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here, who know much more than I...

Good post, thanks.

I don't mind tuning, but am new to wrenching on outboards. I have raced motorcycles (CR500s, CRF450s, etc) and Karts, so I'm not scared, just never seen it done.

Is there any videos that will show me a 2.5L being taken apart.....power head from mid, mid from lower, etc?

I too am making some friends pretty quick, and am learning that at 47 yo, the days of racing motorcycles is almost done (although I can get myself to sell me CR500 ice bike).

I bought the Liberator and like it a lot! If I can find a smaller boat for that evening weekday rips when the river isn't so rough, that's what I'm after now. Would like to try and keep the Lib.

Also, the distance is always a factor....I'm used to buying stuff after I drove an hour or less, checked it out and paid the man and took er home. All the boating stuff seems to be in TN or FLA.....trust is huge with that kind of distance whether making the drive or buying with pics and a phone conversation.

Maybe I should make another thread looking for all the Wisconsin speed freaks....maybe there is more then I know.

[Capt.Insane-o]

Be very very careful buying parts from the east coast and florida. Much of the saltwater crap is next to worthless.

[flattracker60]

Be very very careful buying parts from the east coast and florida. Much of the saltwater crap is next to worthless.

Good tip...thanks.

[powerabout]

Oh
You dont have any metric wrenches so good reason to stick with old engines