'72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

[RRack]

Hello. I'm new to this forum due to recently acquiring my dad's '72 Sea Ray SRV 193. That actually sounds worse that it actually is. This thing is in near new condition, just a little retro. We kept it covered indoors for most of it's life when not on the water. Anyway, it's time to take my son out. It's got a straight 6 rated at 165hp with a 2bbl carb. I was curious of options to increase that horse power. Someone told me that there's a 4bbl that will fit? I just can't find one. Any other easy options to hop up this motor? I had seen they make a K&N flame resistor for boats but they're $100. Worth it?

Anyway, any comments or tips would be great.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

GLM Marine Products show a 4 barrel intake/exhaust manifold for the L6 Mercruiser engine.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

Enjoy the boat as it is.It is old enough that if you put more HP into it,you'll have poblems,and parts ARE getting hard to get.

DHP

 

[freddyray21]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

I have a 1972 Searay with a 120hp Mercruiser. It will pull two skiers on two skis each out of the water. It will pull me up on a slalom. It's not the fastest boat on the lake, but it does what I ask it to. Your boat with the extra hp should do just as well. If it's not then you might look at a tune up, carb rebuilt or whatever it needs to get this type of performance.

 

[SteveNix]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

i as well have the straight six. one of the first things you could do would be get a tune up, and i hear converting to a pertronix ignition system does wonders. its on my list to do...but first i have to find the time to sit down and order it.

 

[Almeja]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

What's your objective in hopping it up?
Pulling watertoys? Wakeboarding? Higher top speed?

Skiers and tubers have probably been towed a million miles behind this engine. IMHO: Make sure it's properly tuned and enjoy.

If you want better pulling ability/holeshot for watersports, downprop a step or consider adding some trim tabs. More bang for the buck than engine modifications.

 

[RRack]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

thanks for all the info. It's actually in great running condition. It has plenty of pulling power just not the quickest nor the prettiest. I think it has a 17 pitch prop. I've got several other props that I need to check out. I guess I really was just curious if there were any easy tricks that can be done to this motor. Our plan is to use it this season and see how things go. If financially possible we may look for a mid/late 90's bowrider with a v-8 in the next year or two.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

personally I think my Searay is the prettiest boat on the lake if not the fastest. I also have a 72 and it has classic lines and shines up nice.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

I don't know what a 72 sea ray looks like. How about a pic? I'm a sucker for those late 60s, early 70s boats. Every time I see one all slicked up I think "there's a guy who loves his boat and is making NO boat payments" How much better could it get?

freddyray..do you boat on the rivers or mostly a lake down STL way?

 

[DukesFin]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

I've got the L6 and a MARINE Holley 4bbl. I love it. I am an "ocean-goer", so I like whatever extra "umph" I can get if the seas get rough on me.

I've never ridden in one with a 2bbl, but yes, you can put a 4bbl on it.

BEWARE: When I rebuilt my motor, I got a new manifold and exhaust elbow...

SAVE UP, SAVE UP, SAVE UP!!! (Worth it to me though)

 

[freddyray21]

Re: '72 Sea Ray Straight 6 Mercruiser Mods??

We go to Mark Twain or to the Meramec River. There is a spot about 15 minutes from us where there is a couple of huge quarries off the river that are big enough and deep enough to water ski and tube in.