I've agreed to buy a 25' Aluminum Cuddy Cabin / Cabin Cruiser (a 1974 Starcraft Chieftain), rated for up to 280hp. The project will be a complete restoration. The boat is supposed to have a 160hp Mercruiser (GM inline six) in it. I suspect it's a Mercruiser 165. I'm told the motor runs well, but the exhaust manifold is cracked, so I'm assuming the block is cracked to.
I want to have a reliable motor in the boat, but I know next to nothing about mercruisers. For ease of restoration, I want to repower with a Mercruiser, as the keyhole will fit the outdrive. I would consider anything from a brand new motor, to an older motor with low hours on it that is known to be reliable. While I would buy new if necessary, my last re-power was a one year old 90 HP Yamaha from a wrecked one year old boat, with an all new steering system and controls.
I'm beginning the hunt now for a replacement motor. I'll consider anything from new, to a local rebuild, to a remanufactured motor, to recent model motor from a wrecked boat, to an old model from a wrecked boat.
So what Mercruisers should I look for, and what should I avoid?
Other than hearing/seeing a motor run, what should I check for in a used motor?
I want to have a reliable motor in the boat, but I know next to nothing about mercruisers. For ease of restoration, I want to repower with a Mercruiser, as the keyhole will fit the outdrive. I would consider anything from a brand new motor, to an older motor with low hours on it that is known to be reliable. While I would buy new if necessary, my last re-power was a one year old 90 HP Yamaha from a wrecked one year old boat, with an all new steering system and controls.
I'm beginning the hunt now for a replacement motor. I'll consider anything from new, to a local rebuild, to a remanufactured motor, to recent model motor from a wrecked boat, to an old model from a wrecked boat.
So what Mercruisers should I look for, and what should I avoid?
Other than hearing/seeing a motor run, what should I check for in a used motor?