looking for a new engine

gtx68

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Joined
Aug 29, 2008
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1
I have a 1972 Hiliner 222. the inline 165HP six cylinder is old. Is it possible to get a brand new crate motor that would have the same block dimensions but maybe 250 HP
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
17,651
Re: looking for a new engine

Welcome to iboats.
Lets get this up to the inboard and I/O forum for some answers.
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: looking for a new engine

I have a 1972 Hiliner 222. the inline 165HP six cylinder is old. Is it possible to get a brand new crate motor that would have the same block dimensions but maybe 250 HP



Probably not. If you want more power.....enough to give you that kind of HP you'll probably have to put a V-8 in it.

The inline 6's just can't easily be built to do that with the marine manifolds available for it.

You're probably better off (if you cannot part with that boat) to just take your 165 to a machine shop and have them rebuild it to original specs.


Regards,


Rick
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: looking for a new engine

Merc did run those engines with a 4bbl carb on and managed to get 200hp.... But they only ran for one year (1969).... Wonder why?

I believe someone on this forum (Ziggy, I think) was going to try that too....

Chris......
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: looking for a new engine

That was a 292 wasn't it?


I researched all that stuff when I had my 66 Mark Twain with the 150 Merc in it (230cu-in 6)

I came to the conclusion that other than swapping out the 150 for a 165 it just wasn't worth trying to squeeze more HP out of a 250 cu-in 6.

They're GREAT engines.....lots of torque, run forever etc...They just aren't worth trying to speed tune...
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: looking for a new engine

That was a 292 wasn't it?

Quite right, it was a 292...

I just remember going through a lot of stuff with someone on here a while back... I think it was Ziggy, But I also think there was someone else doing up a 165 at the same time... From memory here had 2 engines and one boat... We helped him with everything from the engine to the drive, ratios the whole bit...

Chris.........
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: looking for a new engine

I believe someone on this forum (Ziggy, I think) was going to try that too....
it's starsnstripers. haven't seen him for awhile. like after he got his 250 running good. i think he's been out catching stripers alot.... i don't know the status of his project other than he has got his 250 installed and running real good. best i know, he does have a 292 on hand though....

i was convinced a long time ago that the 250 was the way to go..... this is where i'll stay.... i personally, am leary of why mercruiser only used it for one year.... to me that was a red flag and i'd want to know why that occured prior to any attempt at doing a 292....

gtx, i think places like jasper or a few other marine engine rebuilders have 250's on hand. though they come and go as i suppose there getting to be fewer and fewer of them. if i was gonna do it, and had the time. i think i'd find a reputable engine rebuilder locally and have it rebuilt to spec. includeing having a build spec. sheet provided to me so i knew what had taken place. i'm leary of engine rebuilders.... some just put in some new parts and say it's good to go. i would want to see (know even) that it meets specs. if i couldn't find someone to do that, i think i'd attempt a rebuild myself....
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: looking for a new engine

When I was looking for a replacement, 230/250/292 I went to a local truck parts/wrecking yard and found 15 inline sixes from the 60's all the way up to when they quit making them. I also found out that that there's a LOT of parts commonality between all those engine including the fact that the heads are even interchangeable between the 230/250/292 engines......there's some heads you DO NOT want to use though because of cracking problems etc....

The big differences were the mounting points and vib dampers. It didn't appear there's much advantage going from a 250 to a 292. They are all excellent engines. (my 230 was 39 years old & never had the head off when I sold it!)

ANY machine shop can "long block" one for you. I'd stick with a 250 if I had one....
 

mthieme

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
3,270
Re: looking for a new engine

For what it's worth, my '69 came through with an inline 6.
When I get, she was just repowered with a V-6 4.3.
Helluva motor - basically a die hard small block Chevy minus two cylinders. It pushes my barge to 34 mph and sips only 3 gph average running (3000-3500 rpm).
 
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