I know this has nothing to do with F150's but do any of you guys know alot about boats? I have a 91 17' Sea Ray and it has a MerCruiser 4cyl in it. I would like to put a FORD V8 in there, anyone know if it is possible without too much work?

Josh

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1999 F150 XLT, V6, S/C, nothing important done yet.

 

I would say no can do on that one. I have a 19' Searay with a V6. I think it could handle a V8. It may have even been an option but, a V8 in a 17' boat? Do you have any idea what your Freeboard would be on a mod like that? I'm sure the boat would fly but, the first time you powerdown from 50 or 60 mph and that backwash comes up on you it may swamp you from the stern. Your boat also has a Maximum load capacity, computed with the 4 cylinder. The additional weight will of a V8 will reduce your load capacity. You may have a Combination Capacity Plate on your boat which will state maximum horse power.

If you do this make sure you and your passengers wear flotation devices at all times!

'shiver me timbers'
Cap'n Raoul

[This message has been edited by Raoul (edited 04-25-2000).]

 

I never thought about the slowing down from 50 thing. I know the V8 is alittle overboard, but the V6 should be more than acouple hundred pounds more. We never really put 6 people in our boat (6 is the limit + some gear weight) so I dont know. I might have to find some weight figures of both the engines. OR maybee I will just get another 4 and bore it out and stuff like that.

Josh

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1999 F150 XLT, V6, S/C, nothing important done yet.

 

Hey if you want Ford blue look for a eighty's MERC 170 or 190 4 in line. It used the head off a 460 and in a light 19' with clean bottom do 50mph. If you want Blue in a tight package get a little DONZI with a 351... FUN!!!!!

 

Yeah, it originally has a GM 4cyl It has either 135 0r 140 HP, the boat goes abot 30mph. I would love to have a Ford engine in there. Do you know where I could get one?

Josh

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1999 F150 XLT, V6, S/C, nothing important done yet.

 

Check out your local Merc service depts.They can give you the best poss. leads. Your going to have to watch out as these engines had a problem with a manifold gasket leak. If not fixed under recall then overheating damage pops up. v-6 stole its thunder but then again GM's got the marine market cornered. Ford won't cheap out on block prices. By the way, the only diff. between the 170 and 190 is 2 vs. 4 barrel carb. Good luck.

 

I think it would be easier to buy another boat. If you insist on an engine swap, get a 4.3 V-6. It is about as much as I would feel comfortable with on a boat that size.

My best friend is a regional sales rep for Donzi Marine, I will ask him about possible swaps to see what is safe and resonable.

 

A V-8 in a boat like yours would simply be a waste of time, money, and effort. That Hull is simply not designed to handle a V-8 at idle or full throttle. As far as speed improvements - again, the hull would be your limiting factor - not so much the engine. Also - I guess you probably have the Alpha outdrive- A V-8 is pushing the limits on the alpha outdrive - better suited for a Bravo outdrive. I actually miss my old 19 foot 1985 Searay Seville that had the 140hp 3.0 Litre Mercruiser 4 banger. That boat would hit 40MPH and turn on a dime not to mention sip gas!! My current boat is a 22 foot Glastron that does have the monster 454 - want to pay my gas bills or buy my current hog !!!

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1997 Expedition EB, Laser Red, 5.4L, Tow Package, 3.73 Limited Slip,all the goodies exept rear seat - so far - no mods

 

Going from a small narrow inline block to a wide heavy V8 block is possible, but I think you're going to be chewing off more than you care to.

The engine mounts will be different. The length might be different too. The present engine box/cover/deck might have to be modified to allow for the extra dimensions of a V8. Then, as someone else pointed out, there's the weight issue. Add to that the increased gph you're gonna use which will cut down on range.

If you really want to keep this boat, repower it with another 4 cylinder engine. Then play with the prop. You may want to try out a stainless prop. If you stick with Mercruiser props, many dealers have loaner props so you can try it out first. The problem with stainless is if you hit anything, you run a greater risk of damaging the leg before the hub can spin. Aluminum is more forgiving because it's relatively soft and will not transmit shock loads to the gears like stainless will.

Are you sure the boat is propped correctly? Are you getting the max rec'd rpm at full throttle? If the prop is dinged or bent, you'll lose rpms/speed.

Do you have trim tabs? Changing the trim of the boat with tabs and the leg can sometimes gain you a couple to a few knots.

 

seacrow: The more I think about it, the more I dont want to do the big swap. A V6 does sound alittle better though, but oh well. I looked at a V6 that was on the stand, and it looks as if it would fit without too much modifications. Of course I would need a new out drive.
highroller: Yes, I would have to get another outdrive. AND I love the MPG of that 3.0, mabee I will kepp it! It does do pretty good for skiing and stuff like that.
Dennis: I think your right, I am now thinking of putting a FORD 4cyl in there. I am pretty sure that the prop is right. I would like to have a SS prop, but how much better are they than the alumn ones? I dont have trim tabs, but the outdrive has trim. When we are cruizing we put it up 1/4 and it seems to go alittle faster.

Sorry for the LONG post guys!

Josh

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1999 F150 XLT, V6, S/C, nothing important done yet.


[This message has been edited by Joshman (edited 04-26-2000).]

 

Most people I know who switched to Stainless from aluminum are able to go up an inch in pitch and still get the same rpm at full throttle.

Yup, you trim the leg up and the bow comes up. The less hull in the water, the faster you go, but too much trim and you squat and dig in... It can also get pretty exciting in following seas if you keep the leg trimmed up too far. I usually trim the drives in when in following seas. BTW, are you boating on fresh or salt water?

You really should give trim tabs serious consideration. Once you own or handle a boat with trim tabs, you'll never run another planing hull without them. I'm partial to Bennet. They'll help you get out of the hole a lot quicker than you are now. They can also help you maintain a lower planing speed which helps out in fuel efficiency.

It also helps trim the boat from side to side. You don't have to tell your passengers to switch places and you can even trim out the lean from cross winds.

BTW, just to let you know, the Alpha will handle a small V8. The problem is, you'll need to regear the leg (can cost a BIG bundle) and get a new prop.

Now, if you're really serious, you'll repower with a Volvo V6 with one of the DuoProp drives. :-)

[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 04-27-2000).]

 

Not knowing anything about searays, I think its funny reading all the post's saying your hull is not designed to handle an 8 cyl. My cobalt 18ft came with an 8 in it and its only one foot longer.

 

How about adding a shifting propeller to your boat. I know Land&Sea makes one, and Merc might make one too. I'll try to get you some more info on them soon.
They are supposed to improve acceleration, and top end speed.

 

[b]Dennis[/b[: What I wanted the V8 for is so that I can go faster than 30mph. I never thought about the props though, I dont know alot about different pitches and such. The boat gets out of the hole pretty quick! Now that you mention trim tabs, thats not a idea. I will get a pair after we replace the exhaust riser and upper part of the outdrive.

Josh

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1999 F150 XLT, V6, S/C, nothing important done yet.

 

[b]Dennis[/b[: What I wanted the V8 for is so that I can go faster than 30mph. I never thought about the props though, I dont know alot about different pitches and such. The boat gets out of the hole pretty quick! Now that you mention trim tabs, thats not a idea. I will get a pair after we replace the exhaust riser and upper part of the outdrive.

Now that I have heard that the Ford 4cyl are pretty good, I will have to look into one. Keep the opinions coming. Thanx.

Josh

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1999 F150 XLT, V6, S/C, nothing important done yet.


[This message has been edited by Joshman (edited 04-27-2000).]