03 4.3 carb and manifolds

[Blorton]

Hey guys,

I've been crawling around on the board here and getting a lot of great info.

I've just picked up an 03 Bayliner 185 with the 4.3 and it has about 400 hours on it. I got it from a dealer and it's in outstanding shape. The previous owner(s) clearly took great care of it. I took it out for a few hours yesterday and it runs like a dream.

I had some performance/maintenance questions I hope you guys can nudge me in the right direction on.

1) It has the 2bbl carb. I know the 1409 is recommended, and is also on backorder. Seems like the only option other than waiting is to chance an ebay rebuilder. Is there another practical 4bbl option for these? Anyone running that holley efi conversion?

2) I'm a little confused about the references to Vortec engines and whether mine falls in that family. I am wondering as far as the carb goes, should I be looking at the intake manifold as well? heads? My intake manifold has 12552422 stamped on it and the engine serial number is M381342.

3) There is a small rust trail just under the lower exhaust rubber coupling on the starboard side.(I think that part is the y-pipe?) Should I be concerned about that and/or look into upgrading/replacing those manifolds?

I do plan on doing the compression, fuel and cooling pressure tests as recommended.

Any advice, pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Your '03 will be a Vortec motor. While you may eventually want a 4 barrel, to do that right would also need a manifold designed to flow the 4 barrel. I'd run it until Edelbrock gets back in stock and look for a manifold to hold the new carb up properly.

Was the boat a salt water or freshwater boat? That really determines mani lifespan. A freshwater boat the manifolds will last pretty much forever. Salt water has a lifespan depending on brand and how clean it is kept with flushing after forays into the brine.

 

[Scott06]

Hey guys,

I've been crawling around on the board here and getting a lot of great info.

I've just picked up an 03 Bayliner 185 with the 4.3 and it has about 400 hours on it. I got it from a dealer and it's in outstanding shape. The previous owner(s) clearly took great care of it. I took it out for a few hours yesterday and it runs like a dream.

I had some performance/maintenance questions I hope you guys can nudge me in the right direction on.

1) It has the 2bbl carb. I know the 1409 is recommended, and is also on backorder. Seems like the only option other than waiting is to chance an ebay rebuilder. Is there another practical 4bbl option for these? Anyone running that holley efi conversion?

2) I'm a little confused about the references to Vortec engines and whether mine falls in that family. I am wondering as far as the carb goes, should I be looking at the intake manifold as well? heads? My intake manifold has 12552422 stamped on it and the engine serial number is M381342.

3) There is a small rust trail just under the lower exhaust rubber coupling on the starboard side.(I think that part is the y-pipe?) Should I be concerned about that and/or look into upgrading/replacing those manifolds?

I do plan on doing the compression, fuel and cooling pressure tests as recommended.

Any advice, pointers would be greatly appreciated.

If it is the original engine it will be a vortec easiest way to tell is if the intake to head bolts are vertical and their are eight of them two in each corner of intake. The older non vortec models had 12 angled bolts holding intake to heads

To put an edlebrock 1409 on you will need a 4 bbl intake, throttle bracket and mods to fuel line from pump. The 2 bbl version is 190 hp , 4 bbl should be closer to 220. Would think a boat that size would do very well assuming proper prop pitch with the existing 190 hp.

Not sure it would be worth the $1000 + to upgrade but that’s your call depending on if you like tinkering and spending

The rust streak on rubber connector likely just tighten the clamp there is water in the exhaust and likely is leaking a tad, probably not a big deal

 

[nola mike]

Anyone running that holley efi conversion?

I haven't seen anybody that's tried that. I'd be very curious to see how it works. Looks pretty slick, and prices keep coming down. Honestly, just the ability to tune it makes it worth the extra coin IMO. If you're going with a brand new 1409 anyway it really isn't that much more.

 

[Scott Danforth]

there have been a few FI conversions on here over the years, never to be heard from again so we do not know if they worked.

As Scott pointed out, the 4-barrel conversion may be up to $1k for new parts.

I myself would be getting the motor maintenance handled, and enjoy the boat now while always looking for the conversion parts to stock-pile for winter. sometimes you can get good used parts for less than half the cost of new.

 

[Blorton]

Thanks guys!

I am in north georgia and believe this boat has been on lakes only. The prop looks original and other than a small nick and some paint wear, looks very good. I will have to order a history report on the HIN.

 

[Scott06]

Thanks guys!

I am in north georgia and believe this boat has been on lakes only. The prop looks original and other than a small nick and some paint wear, looks very good. I will have to order a history report on the HIN.

Was there a specific issue you wanted to correct or like the rest of us just like tinkering and burning gas?
Likely from your comments you have a black max type basic aluminum 3 blade prop. Might get more bang for your buck looking into a SS prop.

 

[Scott Danforth]

....or like the rest of us just like tinkering and burning gas?

im going with this....

 

[Blorton]

Bingo. I like tinkering, but also really like this boat and want to make sure everything is “proper” on it. I would like more pep overall, especially hearing the 4bbl makes a nice difference.

 

[Blorton]

Oh, I forgot to mention I am planning to four season this boat and the efi interest is thinking towards cold starts and the potential for more range/economy at cruising speeds. Also having a rev limiter would be a nice peace of mind.

The interest in more pep is for when watersports season gets here and I’m planning on a prop swap for those trips.

I got the boat up to a GPS 52mph yesterday, which was great - and also figured out the tach is a bit off. I really like the gauge styling so hopefully that can be sorted out.

 

[Scott Danforth]

they also make blower assemblies for the 4.3 liter.

 

[achris]

Adding a 4bbl carb isn't going to give you much more in the top end, maybe 3 - 4 knots... You currently have the old style exhaust manifolds (known as 'wet-joint'). Personally, I think you'd be better off spending the money on a set of dry-joint manifolds. Especially since they are approaching 20 years old, and even in fresh water, those passages corrode, and then it's usually 'bye-bye engine'....

Not sure what I'm talking about? Click HERE.

Chris.......

 

[Blorton]

Thank you for that! I did run across a thread talking about the moore conversion parts and was confused. Your thread cleared that right up.

 

[Blorton]

Any recommendations on where to order those parts from?

 

[achris]

I believe HGE do a range of dry-joint gear. Personally, I'd use the Merc genuine ones. I have 16 years on mine and they are still in great shape (only Indian Ocean (salt water) use too)....

Chris...

 

[Blorton]

they also make blower assemblies for the 4.3 liter.

Do those come with an insurance policy for a new long block when things go pop?

 

[Scott06]

Oh, I forgot to mention I am planning to four season this boat and the efi interest is thinking towards cold starts and the potential for more range/economy at cruising speeds. Also having a rev limiter would be a nice peace of mind.

The interest in more pep is for when watersports season gets here and I’m planning on a prop swap for those trips.

I got the boat up to a GPS 52mph yesterday, which was great - and also figured out the tach is a bit off. I really like the gauge styling so hopefully that can be sorted out.

if your choke is properly adjusted and set before starting you will have no issue with cold starts Unless the fuel bowl dries out if boat is unused for several weeks.

the thunderbolt 5 ignition on your boat has a rev limiter built in just above 5 k. You may not be able to hit it with current prop. For watersports a lower pitch 4 blade prop will be a nice addition. Typically you get better holeshot at the expense of 3-4 mph top speed but on my set up running a Revolution 4 i cam fully trim out do i get highest top speed as well..

tachs tend to be inaccurate you can try flipping the selector switch on the back of it between cylinders sometimes that frees up any corrosion in the contacts and can make it work reasonably well again

 

[Lou C]

I think Barr marine here in the USA also sells the Merc dry joint system in fact they were selling their version of the conversion kit (but this uses the wet joint style just like the Merc kit does) to get rid of the one piece manifolds uses on the 96-99 models without changing the Y pipe. I have used Barr on my OMC and the quality was good except for the paint. I just brushed on a coat of Rustolium over the thin paint they used.

 

[Lou C]

Hey guys,

I've been crawling around on the board here and getting a lot of great info.

I've just picked up an 03 Bayliner 185 with the 4.3 and it has about 400 hours on it. I got it from a dealer and it's in outstanding shape. The previous owner(s) clearly took great care of it. I took it out for a few hours yesterday and it runs like a dream.

I had some performance/maintenance questions I hope you guys can nudge me in the right direction on.

1) It has the 2bbl carb. I know the 1409 is recommended, and is also on backorder. Seems like the only option other than waiting is to chance an ebay rebuilder. Is there another practical 4bbl option for these? Anyone running that holley efi conversion?

The only other practical option is a Holley Marine 4bbl, they sell one that is specifically jetted for the 4.3 V6 but its on back order too. They do have some 4bbl Marine carbs in stock but they have generic tuning, you'd have to work with it to get it set up right. I would not do EFI in a boat. Cost too high, for minimal improvement in running smoothness (mostly cold starts) if you're like some of us (old) that know carbs and had cars with carbs and drove them in winters you don't need EFI in a boat. I'd be worried about parts for the Holley or any other aftermarket EFI drying up.
My favorite for these engines is the old Rochester Quadrajet but good cores are very hard to find now they have not been made in 30 years but all the parts you might need are still out there.
While the 4bbl does not add a lot of speed, it does feel much more responsive in the higher rpm ranges, at least with the Quadrajet when those huge secondaries open you can feel and hear it (the fabled Quadrajet Howl). I had cars with Quadrajets back in the 70s so I like them and understand them. The Holley was always the more performance oriented carb but never seemed as reliable as the Quadrajet was. The modern Edelbrock is just a slightly modernized Carter 4bbl that came on many Mopar products (Chrysler Dodge Plymouth). Chrysler Hemis used to come with TWO 4bbl Carters!

2) I'm a little confused about the references to Vortec engines and whether mine falls in that family. I am wondering as far as the carb goes, should I be looking at the intake manifold as well? heads? My intake manifold has 12552422 stamped on it and the engine serial number is M381342.

Vortec started in 1996 and your intake will have 8 bolts instead of 12 like the pre-vortec.

3) There is a small rust trail just under the lower exhaust rubber coupling on the starboard side.(I think that part is the y-pipe?) Should I be concerned about that and/or look into upgrading/replacing those manifolds?

that may be just a loose hose clamp for the rubber exhaust tubes, just try tightening all of them.
Now if you find rust trails from the joint between the manifold & elbow, (if you have wet joint exhaust) then I'd check them out right away, because they might be leaking inside too.

I do plan on doing the compression, fuel and cooling pressure tests as recommended.

Any advice, pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Keep in mind if you are upgrading from a 2bbl to a 4bbl you should look at parts prices, if you use new parts, the intake is like 300 and the carbs can be from 500 up to 700 for some of the Holleys. You also then have to experiment with it to get the jetting right. So it is close to a grand to make that conversion. For your first season with a new to you boat I might just fix anything that needs repair first, before changing things. If you need new exhaust that will cost you close to the same. That is really more important because leaky marine exhaust causes engine damage.

 

[poconojoe]

Hey guys,

I've been crawling around on the board here and getting a lot of great info.

I've just picked up an 03 Bayliner 185 with the 4.3 and it has about 400 hours on it. I got it from a dealer and it's in outstanding shape. The previous owner(s) clearly took great care of it. I took it out for a few hours yesterday and it runs like a dream.

I had some performance/maintenance questions I hope you guys can nudge me in the right direction on.

1) It has the 2bbl carb. I know the 1409 is recommended, and is also on backorder. Seems like the only option other than waiting is to chance an ebay rebuilder. Is there another practical 4bbl option for these? Anyone running that holley efi conversion?

2) I'm a little confused about the references to Vortec engines and whether mine falls in that family. I am wondering as far as the carb goes, should I be looking at the intake manifold as well? heads? My intake manifold has 12552422 stamped on it and the engine serial number is M381342.

3) There is a small rust trail just under the lower exhaust rubber coupling on the starboard side.(I think that part is the y-pipe?) Should I be concerned about that and/or look into upgrading/replacing those manifolds?

I do plan on doing the compression, fuel and cooling pressure tests as recommended.

Any advice, pointers would be greatly appreciated.

I have the same boat with the same engine.

Does your's have the sport seating (bench seat) with the big sunpad covering the engine compartment or does it have a dog house with the two side seats?
We love the sunpad and the bench seat (we call it the couch).

I bought mine in 2013. It was also very well maintained.

Bayliners get bashed for being low end boats, but this one has been good to me. Just regular expected repairs basically.
I guess it's a matter of proper care that makes the boat.

For this old couple, that 4.3L with the 2 barrel is plenty of engine.

Enjoy!