Merc Cruiser 4.3 V6 Replacement question

[hslobo]

I have an opportunity to buy a 2007 Tahoe Tracker Ski/Fish boat in pristine condition but with a blown engine (cracked block and manifolds). I'm looking for advice and info on purchasing a new or rebuilt engine, looking for best purchase price (obviously) and for a reputable source to purchase. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[QBhoy]

I’m in the U.K. here. But all the guys I know here even...have bought either crate blocks from the states and used their ancillaries or bought a full reman engine from there too. There are a few that do them. Quicksilver do a full reman 4.3 rated at an incredible 225 hp with a 4 barrel carb. Is it a carb you have ?

 

[Scott Danforth]

the quicksilver reman is $8k

and you need the labor to swap it

a new long block, new intake manifold, new exhaust manifolds and a new water pump is about $3300 and you provide the labor to assemble and swap

a running junkyard 4.3, a new intake manifold, new exhaust manifolds and a new water pump is about $1300. you have to tear the motor down a bit, put in marine head gaskets, brass core plugs, etc. and provide the labor to assemble and swap.

what are your wrench turning abilities.

 

[Lou C]

You have a lot of options, as noted above. I think that Mercruiser reman is too expensive for the value of the boat. I would get a new long block 4.3 and then transfer all the accessories over, you will also need new exhaust manifolds and elbows. Do inspect the boat carefully though. I looked at a Tahoe boat at the Nassau County boat show about 10 years ago and it felt very cheap to me. The deck in particular was quite flexy. At the time I had just compeleted a deck and interior restoration on my old Four Winns, which by comparison felt much more solid.

Take the price you can buy it at and then add on, the real cost of a new engine. Still a good deal? If its not cheaper than a similar boat with a well maintained original engine, why do it? Unless you will pay a bit more to have a 12 year old boat with new power which is a good deal also and you can maintain it yourself not have to worry what the previous owner did or did not do.

 

[porscheguy]

You can get a reman 4.3 from center state engines for $2k and swap everything from the broken engine to the good one. You’ll have to add manifolds to the budget as well.