1988 four Winn horizon 200

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Trentthomas1

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How’s it going everyone hoping I can get some answer to help me out! Just picked up a 1988 four Winn forizon 200 that has a 5.0 cobra on it I believe, block is cracked from previous owner not taking care of it, im looking to see what else can I stuff in there, does it have to be a 5.0 or can I put something else in? Also where should I go about getting an engine? Looking for complete as this one got tore down and then leave uncovered for the last 2 years. It is a omc
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

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Any 1986 and later marinized SBC. You will have to make sure you have all the OMG bits. However I would look for a 1996 or newer Mercruiser/ alpha combo and replace everything pulley to prop after you make sure the hull isn't rotten
 
Lou C

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Yes check very carefully for rot, especially if it had plywood decks covered in carpet. Mine had the deck replaced in 2007, outside painted in Imron 2012 and top end engine overhaul in 2017. It's a good running stable boat, I will gladly repower it when the time comes.
 
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Trentthomas1

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Lou C said:
Yes check very carefully for rot, especially if it had plywood decks covered in carpet. Mine had the deck replaced in 2007, outside painted in Imron 2012 and top end engine overhaul in 2017. It's a good running stable boat, I will gladly repower it when the time comes.
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I have checked for floor rot and hull, previous owner had new cross runners installed and fiberglassed, i just have to install somthing over the 3/4 pressure wood that is new
 
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Trentthomas1

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Scott Danforth said:
Any 1986 and later marinized SBC. You will have to make sure you have all the OMG bits. However I would look for a 1996 or newer Mercruiser/ alpha combo and replace everything pulley to prop after you make sure the hull isn't rotten
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When you mean omc are you talking about intake, manifolds? Can I just go yank a 5.0 out of an old f150 refresh it up and drop it in? Sorry if that sounds stupid, this is my first ever boat, but not afraid of rebuilding stuff as I’m a heavy equipment mechanic just don’t know if there is certain motors I have to use
 
Bondo

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Trentthomas1 said:
When you mean omc are you talking about intake, manifolds? Can I just go yank a 5.0 out of an old f150 refresh it up and drop it in? Sorry if that sounds stupid, this is my first ever boat, but not afraid of rebuilding stuff as I’m a heavy equipment mechanic just don’t know if there is certain motors I have to use
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Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Is it a 5.0l Ford,..?? or Chevy,..??
 
Lou C

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Most of those boats came with either a 4.3 V6 or the 5.0 V8. I would stick with Chevrolet power whether you keep the Cobra drive train or convert to Mercruiser which will make your life easier. You’d need a post 1986 SBC, one piece rear main seal, could be pre-Vortec or Vortec.
I have the 4.3 4bbl Cobra in mine I have a bunch of Cobra spares so I avoid down time during the season.
 
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Trentthomas1

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Lou C said:
Most of those boats came with either a 4.3 V6 or the 5.0 V8. I would stick with Chevrolet power whether you keep the Cobra drive train or convert to Mercruiser which will make your life easier. You’d need a post 1986 SBC, one piece rear main seal, could be pre-Vortec or Vortec.
I have the 4.3 4bbl Cobra in mine I have a bunch of Cobra spares so I avoid down time during the season.
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Ahh okay so the cobra part stands for the drive train, so technically if I have a 350sbc with the one piece rear main that I had for my old nova I can just drop it in, and then install the manifolds and my old stuff off the original motor?
 
Lou C

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OMC did use the Ford small block with the Cobras but the bell housing & engine mounts are both different. At this point you have to decide if you want to switch the whole thing over to Mercruiser. If you get the right deal on a drop in it’s the way to go. I like the Cobra it’s been very good to me but I know all the quirks of them after 20 years.
 
Lou C

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The other thing I wanted to mention is that when I replaced the deck I had the 'glass shop gel coat it in non-skid gelcoat, I did NOT want carpet on a wood cored deck, sealed all the holes to mount seats. IMO carpet is death to wood cored decks, all it does is hold moisture, that rots wood. And rememer polyester resin isn't truly waterproof like epoxy.
Now 15 years later it is still solid. No carpet and keeping it covered with a breathable cover is what made it last. This boat has always been stored outside, in a pretty damp coastal climate.
 
Scott Danforth

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Trentthomas1 said:
When you mean omc are you talking about intake, manifolds? Can I just go yank a 5.0 out of an old f150 refresh it up and drop it in? Sorry if that sounds stupid, this is my first ever boat, but not afraid of rebuilding stuff as I’m a heavy equipment mechanic just don’t know if there is certain motors I have to use
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If the dizzy is in front, it's a Ford. If the dizzy is in back, it's a Chevy

Ford marine 5.0 liters usually have the 351 cam and the GT40 heads. So you can probably grab a block from a truck

Back to your motor. I would not worry about it until you verify the hull is sound
 
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