Where should I buy 3.0 mercruiser engine?

[rockdoc]

Finally ready to get a new or good used 3.0 mercruiser engine for my 1965 bowrider, and get the boat in the water. It now has an Alpha I gen II drive on it. I'm on Cape Cod, and the closest dealer I know is Doug Russell, but they haven't returned a couple of phone calls, so I don't know what's up there. And at this point, I don't want to buy anything from a dealer that doesn't return phone calls....

Anyone have any advice ? ( and no I don't want to hear "put a bracket and an outboard on it" !)

Steve

[Blackfin26]

Steve, I've had Ship Shops do work on my Merc 5.0 and have been happy and impressed with their work and service. It'd be great to see a 19 I/O out there!

[rockdoc]

I'm not looking to have it installed; I'm going to do that myself. I know Shipshops does great work, thanks.

Steve

[Islandtrader]

If you are going to do the work yourself...check out ebay, there are some real good deals from reputable re builders and take outs from authorized dealers.

[Wildman]

Wow! NO f'ing way! I thought you were turning that thing into a planter in your yard!

There is a 4.3 w/Outdrive for sale on CL right now upper cape, seamed like a good price. I like the 3.0L but the 4.3 seams like a little more punch for the $$ and the parts are much easier to find! The 3.0Ls can have head gasket issues also.

[rockdoc]

Thanks Patrick I might check that 4.3 out. The one I see on craigslist is in Wareham; is that what you were talking about?

Hey based on what I've been catching in the canal you should be seeing lots of big stripers out in the bay right now. Of course it's tuna time too.... Josh is out east today, hope he scores.

And yes I have two classic planters out in the yard. Time to get at least one going. Might actually get the new motor I have sitting there into the 23 soon too.

Steve

[Wildman]

yep this one
http://capecod.craigslist.org/boa/3068879352.html
The only thing I would check before committing is the width of the engine box because the V6 will be wider (but shorter) than the 3.0L. The 4.3L will be the same dimensions, motor bed mounts, exhaust manifold width etc as a 305/350 chevy. If I remember right, that boat came to you with a V8. If thats the case it would be a bolt in swap, barring a different out drive and rotten motor beds that need to be rebuilt. Also the 4.3 is about 300lb lighter than the 3.0.

[rockdoc]

Patrick I was surprised to see that the V6 4.3L weighs that much less than the straight 4 3.0L. And I have to rebuild or make another engine box anyway, so that's not an issue. I do need to check the width of the cut out in the deck though. This boat actually had an old 4 cyl merc in it when I got it; probably the original motor and drive.

The 4.3 would make this little boat move pretty well at 205 hp. I wonder how normal speed cruising fuel economy would be with the 4.3 vs. the 3.0 straight 4. I do like the relative simplicity of the straight 4, with one manifold vs two, but I'm going to give this guy a call and maybe go take a look at the 4.3 package.

Steve

[philfish]

Rockdoc,

I have a 1967 bowrider that came with an IO. I may have an original engine cover for you?

[rockdoc]

I'd love to see a pic of it! I don't think the one that came with my boat (a '65) is the original.

Steve