1989 Starcraft Islander 221V repair and repower

[Capt Spaulding]

Well after way too long getting started on a Islander project.
Some new floors and a repower and basic cosmetic fixes and hopefully have boat on water this summer sometime.
Purchased with no motor but originally had a 3.0 mercruiser. Considering to install 3.0 back into boat or possibly go to the 4.3. Like the economy I have read about in the 3.0 but seems to be an obsolete motor so I'm concerned in spending money on something that parts will be harder and more expensive to find. Any ideas? Boat came with a fresh water cooling heat exchanger no other parts left if that makes a difference. Also came with a older style of auto pilot

 

[DarrinT]

Well after way too long getting started on a Islander project.
Some new floors and a repower and basic cosmetic fixes and hopefully have boat on water this summer sometime.
Purchased with no motor but originally had a 3.0 mercruiser. Considering to install 3.0 back into boat or possibly go to the 4.3. Like the economy I have read about in the 3.0 but seems to be an obsolete motor so I'm concerned in spending money on something that parts will be harder and more expensive to find. Any ideas? Boat came with a fresh water cooling heat exchanger no other parts left if that makes a difference. Also came with a older style of auto pilot View attachment 338822

The 3.0 block was made by G.M. and they put them in Chevy LUV small pickups and sold them to Volvo for use in the 240 Series in the 70s &80s.
Amongst other things. I've wailked into NAPA auto parts and when I tell them the cars that they were in they find what I need - usually plugs wires and distributor points.
For my 73 Islander I've bought over the years Fuel pump , starter and oil filters no problem at all.
The 3.0 is basically half of a high performance 327 V8- a purpose designed light powerful engine , so the chopped in half 3.0 I really like cause it's light and gets great gas mileage - if you're not running WOT all the time!

 

[Watermann]

Welcome to the fray, nice to see a hard top Islander come around for some love.

Personally I really like the 4.3L over a 3.0 4 banger especially in a 22'r.

 

[Capt Spaulding]

The 3.0 block was made by G.M. and they put them in Chevy LUV small pickups and sold them to Volvo for use in the 240 Series in the 70s &80s.
Amongst other things. I've wailked into NAPA auto parts and when I tell them the cars that they were in they find what I need - usually plugs wires and distributor points.
For my 73 Islander I've bought over the years Fuel pump , starter and oil filters no problem at all.
The 3.0 is basically half of a high performance 327 V8- a purpose designed light powerful engine , so the chopped in half 3.0 I really like cause it's light and gets great gas mileage - if you're not running WOT all the time!

thank you for the reply. i am a fan of the 3.0 for the economy as well. either trolling around for salmon or running 30 miles out for albacore. the concern wasn't that Chevy parts going away but the marine specific parts becoming harder to find but i may be wrong about that. do you find there is enough power with the 3.0? have you had to replace your motor ?

 

[Capt Spaulding]

Welcome to the fray, nice to see a hard top Islander come around for some love.

Personally I really like the 4.3L over a 3.0 4 banger especially in a 22'r.

thanks for the reply. had to put this project off for a long time so glad to be getting started on it. do you know if the 4.3 will fit in the deck opening as is or will i have to open it up a bit if I go that way?

 

[DarrinT]

thank you for the reply. i am a fan of the 3.0 for the economy as well. either trolling around for salmon or running 30 miles out for albacore. the concern wasn't that Chevy parts going away but the marine specific parts becoming harder to find but i may be wrong about that. do you find there is enough power with the 3.0? have you had to replace your motor ?

Yup I replaced motor in 2010 cause being newbie when I changed a rotten impeller but neglected to clean out the cooling water passage and overheated her - either warping the head or blowing a gasket.
Found a donor boat for $750 that had a rebuilt 140 and switched em myself reading thoroughly through the mercruiser engine swap threads and buying a manual.
With five big guys on board , one of which had a handheld GPS . she maxed out at 35mph and and cruised comfortably at 25mph.
I saw a poster on these forums describe the 3.0/140 Merc as a "screamer" and he wished he had never sold it!!!

 

[matt167]

The 3.0L is still being manufactured, and Mercruiser is nearly fully supporting the older ones.

Now, you say the boat has a heat exchanger, and that it is a 1989. That almost 100% confirms the original engine was a 3.7L, which was probably pulled when it puked itself from one of the various ways they do. It was a Mercruiser internal design that used 460 Ford stuff and some of their own stuff in an aluminum open deck block with a cast iron 460 cylinder head... Indeed they are obsolete, but they were screamers.

The Islander was later available in a 4.3L, but the majority of them through the years were 3.0L's. Some of the longer boats got 165hp 6cyl's ( GM 250 I6 ). If yours is a 21', it will be adaquatly powered with a 3.0L

 

[Moserkr]

The islanders have the floor right now! Awesome seeing the big tin my boat would fit inside lol. Following along!

 

[Capt Spaulding]

The 3.0L is still being manufactured, and Mercruiser is nearly fully supporting the older ones.

Now, you say the boat has a heat exchanger, and that it is a 1989. That almost 100% confirms the original engine was a 3.7L, which was probably pulled when it puked itself from one of the various ways they do. It was a Mercruiser internal design that used 460 Ford stuff and some of their own stuff in an aluminum open deck block with a cast iron 460 cylinder head... Indeed they are obsolete, but they were screamers.

The Islander was later available in a 4.3L, but the majority of them through the years were 3.0L's. Some of the longer boats got 165hp 6cyl's ( GM 250 I6 ). If yours is a 21', it will be adaquatly powered with a 3.0L

thanks for the reply! I was told by the previous owner who removed the motor and sent it to scrap because he wanted to change it to a outboard that it was a 3.0. Not to many parts left from that removal to prove what it was. glad to know the 3.0 is still being produced. I will be requiring a complete turn key motor any ideas where the best place to pick one up at. unfortunately no core to exchange.

 

[baddad1]

Thought I'd drop in and say hello on your thread... Mine is a 4.3L and I believe it will interchange easily with your boat. If you're serious about a full upgrade, strongly suggest looking for a donor boat as I believe you'll want the higher geared outdrive as well. Having had a few boats over the years, and knowing how these boats ride in chop you may want to reconsider how fast you really plan on running.

 

[Capt Spaulding]

Thought I'd drop in and say hello on your thread... Mine is a 4.3L and I believe it will interchange easily with your boat. If you're serious about a full upgrade, strongly suggest looking for a donor boat as I believe you'll want the higher geared outdrive as well. Having had a few boats over the years, and knowing how these boats ride in chop you may want to reconsider how fast you really plan on running.

not really about speed, conditions typically determine speed, mostly about longevity and cost per hour. would like to go after albacore, when weather permits. that is about 30 miles out. speed getting there would be nice but fuel efficiency would be a huge a asset. probably going with the 3.0. Would like to get a turn key rebuilt or new motor. Any recommendations on a quality rebuilder?
You mentioned how the boat rides in chop. Being new to an Islander could you please explain how these boats ride in chop?
thanks

 

[baddad1]

Starcraft Islanders are great towable boats, very seaworthy. Their only real issue is how light they are and tend to beat the wave rather than break it.

A youtube video is worth a thousand words...

I understand about 200 lbs in the bow in conjunction with trim tabs has a very positive effect on keeping the bow down and reducing the pounding. I intend on moving the batteries forward as well as adding an anchor chain as a ballast.

The lowest cost engine rebuilder I've come across so far is: https://www.rapidomarine.com/default.aspx?p=/engines262.aspx
Unfortunately looks like they don't offer smaller motors, but hey give them a call, you may never know...

 

[matt167]

thanks for the reply! I was told by the previous owner who removed the motor and sent it to scrap because he wanted to change it to a outboard that it was a 3.0. Not to many parts left from that removal to prove what it was. glad to know the 3.0 is still being produced. I will be requiring a complete turn key motor any ideas where the best place to pick one up at. unfortunately no core to exchange.

The 3.0l never came with a heat exchanger. That was a 3.7l thing which that boat could have had originally. The outdrive ratio is also different for a 3.7

 

[baddad1]

Which outdrive do you have, Merc, OMC, etc.?

 

[Capt Spaulding]

The 3.0l never came with a heat exchanger. That was a 3.7l thing which that boat could have had originally. The outdrive ratio is also different for a 3.7

well if i was told the truth and this is the original outdrive i think the mystery is solved. maybe the heat exchanger was an aftermarket add??

 

[Capt Spaulding]

Which outdrive do you have, Merc, OMC, etc.?

merc and if told the truth and its the original outdrive it says 3.0l

 

[matt167]

well if i was told the truth and this is the original outdrive i think the mystery is solved

show pictures of the heat exchanger... That is for sure a 3.0L leg of the correct vintage. They are easilly swapped but for sure you have a 3.0L leg now.

I'm confused because you called the 3.0L obsolete, when it's far from it as it's still in production I think. It's nearing the end of it's lifespan, but it derived from the Chevy Nova 4cyl before becoming hugely popular in industrial and marine applications.. However the 3.7L IS obsolete, and it uses a heat exchanger, so without any pictures, 2+2=4.. This of course may not be the case, and it really does not matter.

What I would do is find a 2.5L or a 3.0L pre Gen 2 from a rotted boat. Make sure it's not cracked and let it run... Having been in multiple 2.5L and 3.0L powered SC's including a 3.0L 21' Chieftain, the 3.0L will get you where you wanna go

I would never suggest finding a 3.7L and swapping that in.. By the time you do all the upgrades, your left with something that still isn't great. They scoot but just not worth it.

 

[Capt Spaulding]

show pictures of the heat exchanger... That is for sure a 3.0L leg of the correct vintage. They are easilly swapped but for sure you have a 3.0L leg now.

I'm confused because you called the 3.0L obsolete, when it's far from it as it's still in production I think. It's nearing the end of it's lifespan, but it derived from the Chevy Nova 4cyl before becoming hugely popular in industrial and marine applications.. However the 3.7L IS obsolete, and it uses a heat exchanger, so without any pictures, 2+2=4.. This of course may not be the case, and it really does not matter.

What I would do is find a 2.5L or a 3.0L pre Gen 2 from a rotted boat. Make sure it's not cracked and let it run... Having been in multiple 2.5L and 3.0L powered SC's including a 3.0L 21' Chieftain, the 3.0L will get you where you wanna go

I would never suggest finding a 3.7L and swapping that in.. By the time you do all the upgrades, your left with something that still isn't great. They scoot but just not worth it.

some information i received, not on this site, apparently was incorrect. i have a motor i picked up for next to nothing its a 165hp , chevy 250, considered, putting that in not sure if I want to go in that direction. still leaning towards the 3.0. boat in storage will grab a picture of the heat exchanger next time I'm out there

 

[matt167]

some information i received, not on this site, apparently was incorrect. i have a motor i picked up for next to nothing its a 165hp , chevy 250, considered, putting that in not sure if I want to go in that direction. still leaning towards the 3.0. boat in storage will grab a picture of the heat exchanger next time I'm out there

If you have a complete running 165 6cyl, with manifolds, complete to bolt up, you would be wise to use it.... The 2.5L is basically a 4cyl 250 block, and the 3.0L is built on that platform ( they are not 100% the same )... You can prop your 3.0L drive to work with the 165hp. It's not 100% ideal but that is 4.3L hp basically with zero effort for free

 

[Capt Spaulding]

If you have a complete running 165 6cyl, with manifolds, complete to bolt up, you would be wise to use it.... The 2.5L is basically a 4cyl 250 block, and the 3.0L is built on that platform ( they are not 100% the same )... You can prop your 3.0L drive to work with the 165hp. It's not 100% ideal but that is 4.3L hp basically with zero effort for free

I do like the Chevy 250 reliability. do you know if there is a way to run a fresh water cooling ? could i use the heat exchanger i already have ? i do have the manifold for it. but do you know a quality manufacture for a new manifold?