mercruiser 230 cracked block

[steve6]

my understanding is this is a chevy 305. can a chevy 305 car engine be used. I believe the difference is the style of headgaskets etc, but could you drop a plain 305 in there and ride out the summer on it, and then do the gasket changes n such later on? (and move anything such as starter, alternator, front pullies from the mercruiser 230) . can i do this? or do i have to find a specific mercruiser block?

i have only dealt with out boards, but looking at a decent boat with a cracked 'mercruiser 230''

thanks

 

[achris]

Re: mercruiser 230 cracked block

As long as you move all the electrics and fuel system (including carb) over from the cracked engine to the donor, AND you're boating in fresh water, then the head gaskets and core plugs will last. But if you're in salt water, do the whole job.... One other thing... the cams are different too...

Chris.......

 

[steve6]

Re: mercruiser 230 cracked block

ok thanks, it would be all fresh water.

why is the cam different? more hp? i know the stock 305s back then were not many HP

 

[achris]

Re: mercruiser 230 cracked block

Flatter torque curve...