Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

[greg82255]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

So you think the 260hp vs. 230hp in the 305 would make a big difference? A reman 350 engine is $1,300+ unless you're talking block with pistons, crank, and cam only?

I was more trying to make the point that I gained nothing noticeable with the 4bbl carb over the 2bbl. It cost me a lot of $ too - 500 for just the engine, and I forgot to mention I had to cut the engine hatch because the new intake and carb was too tall, then re-glass it, and paint it, for another 300 or so. 800 bucks is approaching the cost of a 350 new long block. Everyone on this forum will say you will get lots of noticeable power and torque from the 350 over the 305. The 305 in my < 2000 lb Checkmate got it to do about 54. A 350 in my 3300 lb Formula did 53. Someone on my lake had the exact same checkmate with a 350 and it did 65, as opposed to 54 with my 305.

 

[scoflaw]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

The reason you didn't notice any differance, was because you are still working with the same small valves and small cam. you can't force any more fuel down its throat. Who knows what your buddys 350 had done to the motor, I bet it wasn't stock. The old 2 barrel 350's always had the small heads with small valves.The heads have to breath if you want it to go faster.

 

[greg82255]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

The 350 in the other checkmate on the lake was a 4bbl. It may not have been stock, not sure. The stock 350 in my formula was a 4bbl also (Q-jet, merc 260). All the money changing out the cam, lifters, springs, 4bbl intake, and carb on a 305 could easily equal the cost of a re-manufactured 350 long block. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

I had a 18' Glastex bow rider, wide and deep weighed 2600# with a 305 2brl. No mods and it ran 50 mph for me. I was well satisfied with it.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

It hasn't said that most inboard outboard engines are replaced due to poor maintenance and/or freezing without draining the engine during winterizing. Few ever actually wear out.

Because a Chevy truck didn't perform well with a 305 doesn't mean that Mercury uses "car parts." Mercruiser engines components are spec'd for marine use and assembled by very highly skilled engine builders--in house. GM assemblers are amateurs compared with Mercury engine builders.

The GM 305 engine was an adequate performer, however it is relatively heavy. Many boats performed perfectly well with the 4.3 liter V6 engine, which was lighter in weight. This is now the preferred engine due to good fuel usage for under 18' boats.

My boat mechanic used to replace 305 Mercruiser engines with a specific Mr. Goodwrench 350 cubic inch industrial engine--as long as they were not going to be used in salt water. There again, he was after the additional torque and a very low price (relatively.)

If you're wanting more performance, free flowing auto/truck heads are a dime a dozen for Chevy 305-350 engines. Put them on either engine, and you'll get a good "value engine." I would suggest you purchase a special high torque/low rpm cam or marine cam from a company like Competition Cams in Memphis. A boat has special torque needs (off idle), and auto cams just don't work as well on mildly hopped up engines. If you've got a very high performance engine, you will have sufficient power for marine use (as long as the engine idles smoothly.) Put too much horsepower and rpm's to a stock outdrive, and you'll be buying new outdrive/lower units quickly.

Best of luck with your engine.

 

[jmw129]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

It hasn't said that most inboard outboard engines are replaced due to poor maintenance and/or freezing without draining the engine during winterizing. Few ever actually wear out.

Because a Chevy truck didn't perform well with a 305 doesn't mean that Mercury uses "car parts." Mercruiser engines components are spec'd for marine use and assembled by very highly skilled engine builders--in house. GM assemblers are amateurs compared with Mercury engine builders.

The GM 305 engine was an adequate performer, however it is relatively heavy. Many boats performed perfectly well with the 4.3 liter V6 engine, which was lighter in weight. This is now the preferred engine due to good fuel usage for under 18' boats.

My boat mechanic used to replace 305 Mercruiser engines with a specific Mr. Goodwrench 350 cubic inch industrial engine--as long as they were not going to be used in salt water. There again, he was after the additional torque and a very low price (relatively.)

If you're wanting more performance, free flowing auto/truck heads are a dime a dozen for Chevy 305-350 engines. Put them on either engine, and you'll get a good "value engine." I would suggest you purchase a special high torque/low rpm cam or marine cam from a company like Competition Cams in Memphis. A boat has special torque needs (off idle), and auto cams just don't work as well on mildly hopped up engines. If you've got a very high performance engine, you will have sufficient power for marine use (as long as the engine idles smoothly.) Put too much horsepower and rpm's to a stock outdrive, and you'll be buying new outdrive/lower units quickly.

Best of luck with your engine.

What I have found is alot of boats in the 19ft size have 305's 2-barrel in this case. I would be fine with a top end speed of 53-55mph with a 305 V8 and all I had to do was swap out the carb & intake and have a 220hp to 230hp engine.

I have other expenses besides my toys so I'm trying to keep the cost in line.

Now there is a 20.5 ft boat I have an opportunity to purchase, same year with 350 - 260hp and weighs 650 pounds more. I have read both boats were basically a wash in top end speed because of weigh difference. Both ending up in the 53-55mph range.

I have also heard people say the 4.3's are fast because of less weight. I realize weight does matter's and a heavier boat will need more weight to push that boat.

I like the 350 engine but when you add 650 to 700 pounds of boat weight is there really any difference in performance?

Would like to hear from 350 owner's that have 650 to 700lb's more in weight and 1.5 to 2ft bigger in size.

Thx!

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

Weight difference between a 4.3 and a 350 is in the order of 40kg (90lb).

 

[79Merc80]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

A 4.3 IS a 350 with 2 cylinders removed.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

check out Frisco Boater's restoration of my boat in the restoration section-- this 1981 Glastron had the 228hp 305 --it was 28 years old and still doing fine. BUT he swapped for a new 350 marine crate motor with an RV cam- bumping it to 292hp and 408lbs torque.
It went from 45mph with the 305 to 58mph with the 350 and jumps on plane in about 2 seconds -see the video!

 

[jmw129]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

One big positive is that the 305 is about as bullet proof as an engine gets.

How so?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

How so?

Ayuh,... It's roots,.... It's a SBC....

 

[jmw129]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

Ayuh,... It's roots,.... It's a SBC....

Just curious since you'll hear about a 50/50 split on the 305 engines.

 

[pismo10]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

I owned a 1979 19' Century 200 boat with a 228 merc in it. I sold it in 2004 still running perfectly with no internal work. Over 3000 hours in fresh water without a rebuild. I had to fix much accessories like starters, alt, clean the QJet, etc but I never got inside. We ran, skiied, raced, beat the hell out of it for 25+ years through my teenage years and on and never a major problem. It sank twice, still no trouble. Hydro locked from rain a bunch of times.

The 898 and 228 were identical except the intake and carb. Nothing special.

My experience is - Great motor.

R drive, 1.5, 21" merc cleaver prop, best I ever saw was 56mph on speedo so probably 52-53 real.

Great ski boat, no wake at speed.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

Just curious since you'll hear about a 50/50 split on the 305 engines.

Ayuh,... Don't understand yer question...

The 305 is nothin' but a smaller displacement 350...
It's a SBC, just a smaller 1...
No doubt the most common motor in the world, in continuous production from 1954 to 2000...
(actually, still in production, just no longer used in automobiles)

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

Just curious since you'll hear about a 50/50 split on the 305 engines.

The "split" is from those who expect a 305 to perform just like a 350, and write it off as junk when it falls short of their expectations.

Reliability-wise the 305 is no less reliable than any of it's fellow small block brethren. If we were talkin about a 400, that would be a different story...

 

[BSnB]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

The engine in my 1984 IMP X190 is an 898 305 upgraded with an Edelbrock Performer manifold and an Edelbrock 1409 600 CFM 4-barrel carb. This is a heavy deep- V cuddy built for ride not speed but the Edelbrock additions kicked speed up by about 5 MPH. Top end about 52 MPH. More noticeable was the hole shot. Much quicker to plane. Even better was the immediate throttle response. No lugging at all, just immediate V-8 power. Best improvement I ever made aside from dumping the 4 barrel Holley in favor of the 1409!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Mercruiser 898 (GM 305) V8 - Good, Bad, Fast, Slow Engine? Truth Wanted!

305 is a great engine one big difference is the head design...People who tinker with there engines might not like it in the sense you cant make big horse power with it...Other than that nice little v8 that runs forever.