Carburetor options for my 4.3 v6

[Mchris]

Ok, here is the situation; I am new to boat ownership so for my first boat I found a guy with a 1990 Sunbrid with 4.3 OMC motor and stern drive. I got it for a steal of $1500 since it was garage kept and almost like new, and he needed cash fast.
But, I had a small issue at the lake this weekend with the two barrel Holley carb. There is what looks like a freeze plug that covers a float adjustment on the float bowl. This plug came out and pump fuel all over the place. I made a quick in the water repair to get back to shore that caused some small damage to the hole involved and a mess with JB weld. Gotta do what you gotta do to get to shore.
So what I need to decide is to source a new float bowl, replace the 2 barrel all together or possible change the manifold and convert to 4 barrel.
My question; is it worth moving to 4 a barrel, I am not that familiar with improving for power, my experience has been more less replacing or rebuilding what is in place. I currently get 5500 rpm at around 45MPH if this helps.

Oh, the orginal owner rebuilt the engine after it froze in an early cold snap. He mentioned he heated up the cam, but I do now anymore about the cam than that.

Thanks in advanced
Chris

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Carburetor options for my 4.3 v6

I currently get 5500 rpm

that's 900 more than the maximum recommended RPM for your engine - might want to check your tach

Oh, the orginal owner rebuilt the engine after it froze in an early cold snap.

there's nothing to rebuild if the engine froze, it was replaced

it's a matter of opinion 2 BBL vs. 4 BBL - involves a new manifold and probably a new propeller
I think you'd be best to just replace the carb if you are happy with the performance.
take it to a local carb rebuilder (they have probably fixed that issue before) or check eBay
if you have the numbers off your carb or even model numbers and year of your sterndrive setup will make the search easier

edit: unfortunately a new 2 BBL Holley from an Evinrude dealer is $715 and I don't see a Sierra 2 bbl replacement - so a fix by a pro probably best