mercruiser I-6 frozen..V-8 swap??

Hey all, found out my project Cobalt with the 250 I-6 is frozen up. Too much water down the carb from sittingout. Oh well, that's why it's called a project right? Anyhoo, while I ponder the next move,I've considered swapping it for a V-8 or possibly on outboard. Has anyone done a swap like this b4? Any info out there I could check out? Or should I bite the bullet and buy a new engine. Either way, it's gonna be expensive. Just thought v-8 maybe a good choice, parts more plentiful, cheaper. Outboard-lots more room, lighter etc... Any thoughts good/bad greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Re: mercruiser I-6 frozen..V-8 swap??

You should post this in the I/O section. Those folks are pros.

Changing an inline 6 to a v engine will mean you need to change the motor mounts from one in the front to two on the sides. Does the boat have stringers in the correct place? Secondly, you wil either need to install a MerCruiser crate motor that includes the manifolds, alternator, starter, flame arrestor, carb waterpump and water inlet fitting, or "marinerize" a truck motor. The former is very expensive, and the latter is expensive, although not as much. You might priceout the crate motor to see the max.

It will be a whole lot cheaper to install another 250. You can get a remanufacturered motor for less that $2K I would expect. All of the electrical and mechanical components will swap over.

BTW - Are you sure the motor seized from rain down the carb? It seems unlikely. Are the exhaust manifolds sound? Did the boat sink?

Re: mercruiser I-6 frozen..V-8 swap??

thanks for the reply. Sorry, I just saw the mercuty post section and posted it there. As for the water, pistons frozen up, vacuumed out almost 12 ozs from 1 cyl and about 4 ozs from each other cyls. Can only guess rain down the carb filled upthroughout the manifold got into the cyls as there is nothng but rust in the head(its toast) and a quart of water in the manifold. Don't think it was from a head gasket as all the cyls had water in it. I think I just may have to get a new 250. Ah, the pain of ownership!! Previous owner didn't cover the boat and the engine cover wasn't in place. Oh well, thanks for the info.