Power Change

[SDSeville]

I have a 1986 Sea Ray 19' BR with a 3.7 merc and alpha one drive. I plan to keep the boat for a long while after replacing the transom, stringers, deck, and upholstery a couple years ago.

I have not had any problems with my engine, but have not seen anyone with anything positive to say about that particular motor. When it is ready for a rebuild, I may want to just swap it for a different engine. What would be a good engine to switch to? I would be looking for something that would require minimal work for it to match my current setup.

We use the boat mostly for tubing and wakeboarding with the occasional fishing trip to the kelp beds. I am not really looking for more HP, just an engine with few problems down the road.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Power Change

I have a 1986 Sea Ray 19' BR with a 3.7 merc and alpha one drive. I plan to keep the boat for a long while after replacing the transom, stringers, deck, and upholstery a couple years ago.

I have not had any problems with my engine, but have not seen anyone with anything positive to say about that particular motor. When it is ready for a rebuild, I may want to just swap it for a different engine. What would be a good engine to switch to? I would be looking for something that would require minimal work for it to match my current setup.

We use the boat mostly for tubing and wakeboarding with the occasional fishing trip to the kelp beds. I am not really looking for more HP, just an engine with few problems down the road.

Ayuh,.... If ya go with the 3.0l, the front motor mount, Might line up, or not,...
Ditto the exhaust down-pipe....
The Outdrive will need different gears though...
'n you'll be Down on horsepower....

If ya go with the 4.3l, you'll need to fab up new front motor mounts, 'n switch to a Y-pipe, but the outdrive will work, as is...
'n you'll be Up on horsepower...

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Power Change

Thanks Bond-o. The 4.3 certainly looks like the way to go. New front motor mounts should not be much trouble after the work I have already done. ...and more power would be nice too.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Power Change

I also have a 470 Mercruiser. It was great until a thrust bearing dropped into the oil pan after 10 years use. I don't believe your transom mount will fit any other motor, including the 3.0.

Your best bang for the buck would be to buy a donor boat in order to get the whole complete engine/mount/outdrive unit and all the wiring.

Or, you can easily find brand new engines/transom mounts and outdrives online. It's unknown if you'll have to do some glass work on your transom to get the holes to match.

Sea Rays make a great boat. Make sure your stringers and transom is in perfect condition before you invest in any power upgrades.

 

[achris]

Re: Power Change

I also have a 470 Mercruiser. It was great until a thrust bearing dropped into the oil pan after 10 years use. I don't believe your transom mount will fit any other motor, including the 3.0....

As far as an engine from the same era, the inner transom plate is the same across the range. The only thing that is different is the exhaust pipe, and maybe the shift plate mounting. But that's so easy to overcome.

OP has a 1986, so any engine (complete with flywheel cover) from 1983 to 1990 should fit perfectly. The 470 runs a 1.84:1 drive, and the 4.3 litre engines ran the same. So even the drive ratio is a match. All you would need is the exhaust pipe and the complete engine and you're good to go. The issue you might have is the width of the engine. They are quite a bit wider than an in-line. You may have to widen the engine box, and maybe even the floor (I did when I went from a 165 in-line 6, to the first of my V6s).....

Good luck, I think you'll be very happy with the result. The V6 engine is very common, and a great engine to work on, and so easy for you guys (in the U.S) to get parts for....

Chris.........

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Power Change

Your best bang for the buck would be to buy a donor boat in order to get the whole complete engine/mount/outdrive unit and all the wiring.

Or, you can easily find brand new engines/transom mounts and outdrives online. It's unknown if you'll have to do some glass work on your transom to get the holes to match.

Sea Rays make a great boat. Make sure your stringers and transom is in perfect condition before you invest in any power upgrades.

Stringers and transom are brand new -- thanks to the guys in the resto forum.

My 3.7 still runs great, but I will keep my eyes open for a 4.3 so I am ready when the time comes.