Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

rayjay

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Jan 21, 2005
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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

I'm pretty sure it's basically a 230 6cyl with the front 2 cyls lopped off. Same bellhousing bolt pattern as the V8's. They saw extensive use in midgets [ lots cheaper than offy's ]. Clifford 6=8 used to supply different intakes, both downdraft for Holley 2bbls and sidedraft types for a pair of Weber DCOE's.<br /><br />In boats the 120hp was the basic 153 CI Chevy II motor. The 140hp was a 181 that Merc made or had GM make for them. Lots better ports in the head.<br /><br />The early Vegas used an alloy block with no liners, special plated pistons, and an iron head. Special honing process to leave a silicon surface for the rings to bear on. Worked for Can Am cars, didn't work for production line cars.<br /><br />The later Vegas, Astres, Sunfires, Fieros et al used a motor not too different from the Merc 140 hp marine motor. The Pontiac Super Duty 4 cyl was based on this design but with EVERY part substantially beefed up.
 

rayjay

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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

I will mention one custom racing block that is of interest. Gaerte [ sp ] Racing Engines offered a custom block in both iron and alum [ if memory serves ] that was very similar to the old Chevy II 4cyl but used a V8 Chevy cyl head. Saw lots of use in midgets and probably racing boats, LSR, etc. Advances in OHC motors and 4 valve per cyl have probably rendered it semi-obsolete.
 

whywhyzed

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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

yikes, makes boating look pretty affordable as a hobby.. no chiropractic bills either...
 

Dunaruna

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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

Triton, in regard to the 'world engine', think....CAMIRA. :eek:
 

Silvertip

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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

The 2.3 liter Vega engine bore no resemblance to the Iron Duke. It was a single overhead design and a twin cam version was available in 2.0 liter form in the Cosworth Vega. Cast iron head on the 2.3, aluminum sleeveless block. I bought a new 1972 Kammback wagon. Put 100,000 miles on it and replaced the tired four banger with 283 V8 and automatic. Ran it another 10,000, and sold it for exactly half of its original purchase price. Cheapest transportation I ever owned.
 

Boomyal

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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> I'm searching but can't find any aussie vehicle with that size 4 banger (they must be big pots!). Still searching........
That's cause the Aussies aren't that stupid. In spite of the heresay that they might have been responsible for inflicting them on their doting cousins. :p
 

rrmcbride

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Jul 27, 2004
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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br />
Originally posted by hystat:<br /> Not really "newer", but I think the one to avoid (unless you well know it's history) would be the Mercruiser 470, which was a Mercruiser aluminum block with a Ford iron head. The main issue was with the outboard style charging system instead of an alternator.
Charging system aside, that sounds like one goofy combination. Aluminum block and iron cylinder head? No wonder I have such disdain for Mercury. ;)
Some of us happen to love our 470's My 1982 is running strong as ever and yes I did have to replace the stator with the new one 5 years ago, still working great now... Just remember to change the antifreeze every year to protect the cam seals....Bob
 

pete44

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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

3.0 litre-inline4-181cubic inch-130HP-Chevy made for Mercruiser is a "workhorse" on my 87 searay..if it can propel a 1880 pound boat 42 mph with 5 adults in it on a smooth lake I am impressed not alone pulling adults around on tubes..2 adults at that (not skinny) and get them airborn hopping wakes...it serves my purpose .....Pete44
 
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May 24, 2003
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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

I just picked up my new Glastron with a Volvo 3 liter 4 cyl. 135hp at prop. Really simple engine, uses Holley 2 brl. carb. delco dist. & 75amp. alt. Looking at engine bore-stroke, they happen to be same as GM 350- hmm. This engine is also OH valve- not the Volvo OH cam. It has a nice gauge pkge, warning buzzer for over heat and low oil pressure. I 'll be trying it out this week to start break-in.<br />Poppasmurf
 
Joined
May 24, 2003
Messages
51
Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

I just picked up my new Glastron with a Volvo 3 liter 4 cyl. 135hp at prop. Really simple engine, uses Holley 2 brl. carb. delco dist. & 75amp. alt. Looking at engine bore-stroke, they happen to be same as GM 350- hmm. This engine is also OH valve- not the Volvo OH cam. It has a nice gauge pkge, warning buzzer for over heat and low oil pressure. I 'll be trying it out this week to start break-in.<br />Poppasmurf :D
 

SILTHUNDER77

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Jul 24, 2005
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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

I have a chevrolet 2.5L iron block 153 cid, 120hp 4 cylinder, chevy II nova motor that came original in my 1968 Larson, 16ft boat. The thing is it starts on the first turn everytime.. I have had a few minor issues, that I am currently resolving, but the boat came with tubes and a brand new pair of ski's. I was told by the previous owner that it will pull two people over two hundred pounds up on ski's from a dead start, but I have not tried it yet...
 

Triton II

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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

Triton, in regard to the 'world engine', think....CAMIRA.
Holy sheeting hippos Duna... I'd forgotten about them - simply because I haven't seen a roadworthy one for years! :eek:
 

socalgsx

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Aug 10, 2005
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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

I am looking at doing the iron duke swap into my boat. I have a couple of questions about it though. Does anyone know if I am able to use my existing head or do I have to reroute all of the stuff to hook up to the other head. Main reason mine has intake and exhaust on the same side and the Duke has on seperate sides.<br />The other part of the question is am I able to use a 77-83 2.5 bottom end and my head. I have been told that yes it will work but Im just confirming before I run into issues on the install.<br /><br />Any help on this would help.
 

RandyJ

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Jun 13, 2002
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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

I was told that the head off of a 140 will fit the 120. The bore and stroke are different so you can not swap internal parts. Anyone is welcome to correct me if I'm wrong. The 120's I've seen are different from the 140's I have. I also have a 470 and will be looking at it when daylight comes to see if the block is aluminum. I was told that it was a Ford production for Mercruiser and is actually a v-8 (351 or 390 or some such tripe) that was split in half and actually the parts from the v-8 ford engine will swap to the 470 mercruiser. One BIG difference is that the 470 utilizes a 1.98 outdrive whereas the 260 chevy and 140 among others, utilize the 1.50 outdrive.
 

socalgsx

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Aug 10, 2005
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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

But my question still at hand can I put my 120 head on the iron duke block or on the 77-83 bottom end.
 

Don S

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Re: Are there any good 4 cylinder I/O engines?

I would suggest you start your own thread, I just opened this one by accident because it's old and found your question.<br />Start a new one and you will get YOUR question answered.
 
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