Tired of being passed

[Quik Fix]

I have never figured total burn. I like to keep my cruise at more than 2 mpg. Currently if I'm at 3000 and running 19 - 20 MPH I will burn 8.5 gph. With the stroker in this boat, I ran 3 MPH faster and burned 1 gph more. I think that engine with the aluminum heads, extra compression, higher octane and especially the FI will be really good. Dropped the engine off today.

[reefbreak]

Do what Earl wanted me to do; put a supercharger on the motor. He said I would run with big boys when he was done.

[gary s]

I know when we repower (which should be in 4 or 5 years) I am looking for the same or very similar engine. Very happy with it.

Take care of the one you have Karen,your engine is out of production now. You guys running that in fresh water aren't you? If so it should last for a long time and when it's time- rebuild it. I bought this GT40 Ford engine from Dave Reed a couple of years ago and am just about done rebuilding it. The plan is to put it in my 20 with a fresh water cooling kit probably next summer. Sure is alot of parts on these newer engines to clean and paint.

[DaveR]

Gary. That thing looks brand new! You interested in selling it back ? I have a Ski Nautique it would look great in.

[Fisherlady2]

Take care of the one you have Karen,your engine is out of production now. You guys running that in fresh water aren't you? If so it should last for a long time

Yes it's fresh water now. Hoping to find a similar replacement, will keep this as a running take out for a spare possibly. Want fresh power before retiring so we minimize headaches later on. Around here it is hard to find inboard mechanics and I'd like to do the swap over winter so as not to lose most of our short season to a failure.

[gary s]

The more complicated these engines get it's going to be harder to find a mechanic. If your good you certainly want to be working all year. To work all year your going to have to go where the work is which makes it tough for the rest of us to find someone. There is a guy on Planetnautique right now with problems with a late model engine. He has been to two mechanics who cannot find his trouble. He lives in Montana and has probably has now gone through all the inboard mechanics in the state.

[Rock Bottom]

I bought this GT40 Ford engine from Dave Reed a couple of years ago and am just about done rebuilding it. The plan is to put it in my 20 with a fresh water cooling kit probably next summer. Sure is alot of parts on these newer engines to clean and paint.

Gary, that engine is looking real good. Love the paint. I'm RWC right now, but my next one won't be for sure. Might be time to start planning for a replacement just to be prepared I guess. Jerry and I were just talking about power for my 20 last week - little did I know he'd be upping the plant on his 26.

[Quik Fix]

The one I'll be replacing this winter has the GT-40P heads. Would sell it if there is interest. F/W with SS manifolds. New rear/top mount Arco starter and alternator.

[Rock Bottom]

The one I'll be replacing this winter has the GT-40P heads. Would sell it if there is interest. F/W with SS manifolds. New rear/top mount Arco starter and alternator.

We can have that chat when you’re ready. Provided you don’t think you’ll need it for another project.

[DaveR]

Here’s my thoughts Jerry. The 6BTA which should be 300+ hp would probably afford you the most speed once everything is sorted out. It’s going to be noisy. The next best option is probably a built 454 or big block ,maybe a 502 or something. Going to have to do some retrofitting to make it all work right. I’m pretty happy with my 383 setup. If you can get you engine guy to build out something designed to run around 3800-4000 rpms continuous that seems to be the sweet spot for them. Now that I keep mine on a lift and don’t deal with crap growing on the bottom,trim tabs,prop shaft and such I’m fairly impressed with mine. I generally will run about 3800 rpms at about 30 mph and according to Smart Craft is burning about 14 gallons an hour. Keep in mind I don’t have a bunch of gear on the boat. Couple anchors and normally keep the tanks close to full. My boat will top out around 36 mph at 4800rpms and according to my smart craft is burning around 20 gallons an hour. My engine is a stock Mercruiser Reman 383 Mag Stroker. Advertised at 350hp and and I believe 420 something pounds of torque. The small block Chevy is going to be the easiest to get in there without doing a bunch of retrofitting.

[Quik Fix]

Dave, when we sat down at the computer and looked at everything, the 383 is best choice. Weight and fuel burn of the 454 was a killer and the 6bta-m was just more retro fitting than I wanted to do. Along with the weight and noise, I didn't think that was a good choice. The 383 with the mods I plan should dyno at about 450 HP with mucho torque. I'll have a top/rear starter and maybe I can use my SS manifolds. Since I have many parts, this was the best choice money wise as well as simplicity.

[DaveR]

Agreed Jerry. I want a ride on that boat when she’s done. I’m starting construction on my new workshop this week and will overhaul my Mackinaw over the winter finally. I plan the same engine that’s in the Hardtop.

[Quik Fix]

Dave, I'd be happy running at 30 MPH all day. When I had the 383 in my 26 I cruised at 2950 RPM. That was 21-23 MPH. If I ran it up to 3800, I think I may have been close to your 30 MPH. With the modifications to that engine, I'm fellin' good.

[tuner]

Hi Jerry, sorry I missed this. I was chasing browns in the Eastern Sierra last week.

Chevy 383 or Ford 408 would make plenty of power. The cylinder head and camshaft makes the difference. There are many choices for the 383, including the the large port "Vortec" head from Edelbrock or the big GM "fast burn" head. I would run AFR 185 or AFR 205 heads on the 408. Do not run GM iron Vortec heads or any of the GT40 heads, they are too small.

Be careful with the cam choice, keep valve overlap to a minimum and intake duration below 215* @0.050" lift and LSA at 112*-114*.

For carb or TBI, run the Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold.

Either engine will produce over 400hp with a smooth idle and push the 26 to close to 40mph.

[Fisherlady2]

tuner

for our 26 we are looking to repower in 4 or 5 years. I understand our current 5.7 330 hp MPI engine has been discontinued, but it has been a good match for our needs. I would be ok going up to 350hp or a bit more if needed to stay with a PCM chevy option and keep the economy in same range. What crate engine is out there now to make that match?

[tuner]

tuner

for our 26 we are looking to repower in 4 or 5 years. I understand our current 5.7 330 hp MPI engine has been discontinued, but it has been a good match for our needs. I would be ok going up to 350hp or a bit more if needed to stay with a PCM chevy option and keep the economy in same range. What crate engine is out there now to make that match?

Hi Karen,

The ECU that runs your engine will not adapt to any change in power, resulting in a lean or rich condition if the engine swap produces more or less hp respectively. Fortunately, Mercruiser sold the 383 MAG engine ( 350hp/390ft/lb) which uses the same intake and exhaust manifolds as your 5.7 330hp. I would purchase a new 383 MAG long block and reflash the ECU with the 383 MAG tune file. Bob at OBD Diagnostics can flash the file for you. This option will save thousands over purchasing a complete engine, and based on the projects that you and Radioman complete, this is well within your skill set

[Quik Fix]

Tuner, you da man, glad you are here.

[tuner]

Thank you for hosting such a great place and sharing your knowledge, I'm glad you are here too.