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engine swap

K

Kawboy

New member
I have a 1985 diplomat....It has a mercruiser 170 engine that is no good...I would like to know what it would cost to get a new engine and what kind would fit.

possibly making it a v8 rather than a 4cy.
 
When i replaced my motor, me and the mechanic talked a little about those sites.
What i came away with was there junk parts, made cheap and the warrenty at best is a joke. You still have to pay for the take out and put in they just send another piece of junk.
 
I called a marina today...and the guy said it would be around 5000 dollars to just replace the engine with the same. Does this seem right because that is an awful high price just for a swap. I think anyway.
 
Kawboy said:
I called a marina today...and the guy said it would be around 5000 dollars to just replace the engine with the same. Does this seem right because that is an awful high price just for a swap. I think anyway.
Click to expand...

Seems high to me for a four banger.
 
thats because that 170 POS is a merc only marine(cough cough) engine that when you needed parts for bend over and grab your ankles !!!! merc casted the alum block, used 460 ford rods/pistons and 1 head...they made everything else and like it alot !!
 
Not easy or cheap

You're in a bit of a difficult spot.

There are a couple of challenges with switching to a V6 or V8 in your boat.

1. You will need a complete sterndrive package (motor, drive and controls) the only cheap way to get this is from a wrecked boat that hopefully you know the history of and that the parts are good.
2. Im pretty sure the stringers in the bilge are not right for the V6-8 set up, so they would need to be cut out and replaced. This is not hard work, but you need to have drawings or measurments to put the new stringers of the correct size in the correct location. Otherwise you would need to reverse engineer the size and location of the new stringers once you have the V8 sterndrive package in hand.

Most on this site would recommend against rebuilding the 4cyl- 170 as it is underpowered for that boat. But unless you are very handy and want a project, the swap to a V8 is very expensive. It would be cheaper to buy another boat. It's likely you could get a whole complete running boat in nice condition for what you are going to spend putting any V6-8 motor in that one. That may also be true for just putting a rebuilt 4cyl in it but I don't really know that for sure.
 
karzrus said:
You're in a bit of a difficult spot.

There are a couple of challenges with switching to a V6 or V8 in your boat.

1. You will need a complete sterndrive package (motor, drive and controls) the only cheap way to get this is from a wrecked boat that hopefully you know the history of and that the parts are good.
2. Im pretty sure the stringers in the bilge are not right for the V6-8 set up, so they would need to be cut out and replaced. This is not hard work, but you need to have drawings or measurments to put the new stringers of the correct size in the correct location. Otherwise you would need to reverse engineer the size and location of the new stringers once you have the V8 sterndrive package in hand.

Most on this site would recommend against rebuilding the 4cyl- 170 as it is underpowered for that boat. But unless you are very handy and want a project, the swap to a V8 is very expensive. It would be cheaper to buy another boat. It's likely you could get a whole complete running boat in nice condition for what you are going to spend putting any V6-8 motor in that one. That may also be true for just putting a rebuilt 4cyl in it but I don't really know that for sure.
Click to expand...

http://www.usenginesinc.com/Marine-Engine/Chevy-GM-Marine-Engine.html

I see they have a replacement for my 6 cyl inline for $1695 - fits perfect in my '74 mx17
 
PayCheck said:
:cheers:

Kawboy - look at the inline 6 to solve your problem - it may be an easy swap for less $$
Click to expand...

Yup, that's a great option, if the I-6 length will fit in engine bay. It's likely been done in other boats so any adapters required to hook it up have been created.

He will need manifolds and carb as well. Hopefully the exghaust manifold is available for a good price somewhere?
 
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