Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

[Kelsey]

I have a 1986 Thundercraft with a 4 cylinder 140 horsepower, 181 cu,GM stamped on block, mercruiser. My question is does anyone know what make & model automobile uses this motor.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Chiboka

 

[loadnet]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

I think they used them in Chevettes and fork lift trucks.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

Hook is right about the forklifts and they were mostly propane fueled, the rods and pistons are the same size has a 350 chev has well as the head and oilpan and timing chain cover, thats why its so reliable, and faily cheap to rebuild as long as the block and crank are good.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

Well, You're all kind of Close......<br />That engine Hasn't seen the Hi-way since the mid-Sixties.... In the Old Chevy II Nova.....<br />The Chevette used an overhead cam motor.. Not the same...<br />Current production 4cyl.s are 2.5l, and are Very Different motors Also.....<br />As to the parts being the same as the 350cid.... <br />That doesn't hold water Either... 1/2 of 350 is 175cid... Not 181cid....<br />And the Heads are Totally Different.....<br /><br />That said, The forklift thing Might be right, as the 3.0l IS GMs 4cyl. Industrial/ Marine Engine....

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

Can you tell me the exact year the Chevy II nova would be. I am trouble shooting an electrical problem and will be easier to find parts. Instead of paying over priced marine parts. Maybe some one can help me out with this here are the details. Battery is being drained after sitting for a week or so. The battery & alternator are new. Could it be the Solenoid that isdoing this?<br /><br />Thanks for any help provided.<br /><br />Chiboka

 

[akriverrat]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

much more likely one of your non-engine circuits or the battery itself. no battery switch?

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

The battery is a new deep cycle type. I take the positive post off during the week when I am not at the cottage. When I return and put the terminal back on the boat will start. Something must be drawing the power out of the battery when connected. The accessories are all off double checked. Any more ideas or test so that I can narrow my search?<br /><br />Thanks again

 

[conimicut1]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

I'm going to give you the way I do it on a car, it should work on a boat. Get a test light, they cost about 5 bucks at a parts store. Make sure it works, put one end on positive the other on negative. Disconnect the positive terminal on the battery. Place one end of the test light on the battery and the other on the terminal. You are essentially putting the test light between the battery and everthing elese. With the key off. Does the light come on? Even glow slghtly? Then you have a drain on the battery. Start disconnecting the fuses, one by one, check the light each time. If the light goes out, you know have a ciruit to concentrate on, put the fuse back in and start disconnecting stuff on that circuit, swithes, etc. Hopefully you'll find the problem and fix it. That should cover it. tedious but cheap process.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

Thanks for the great info. I'll give it a try this weekend & post any results. Anyone know the year of chevy II nova that this motor is in?<br /><br />Chiboka

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

I really have no idea, but it could be one half of a 350 with a different stroke...

 

[luisito]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

i have 1968 aristocraft boat with a mercruiser 120 hp 153 cid i allways ask for a 1968 chevy II nova and all the parts that i purchased are the same but always remember some car parts has not been made for use on boats.<br /><br />but you have 181 cid that a 3.0 the anly diference is that the cilinder is biger that the 153 (example 153cid cilinder is 3.75 inch and 181cid is 4.00 inch)

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

I was reading on another post somewhere that a Fram PH 30 oil filter & valvoline straight 30 will work fine on the 140 Hp mercuiser, is this true? If so then the marinas are making a mint off of everything.<br /><br />Chiboka

 

[luisito]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

the diference is that a car filter PH30 or others is a filter inside a filter and take longer to filter the oil at higthers RPM's. The mercruiser or marine filter are made of a single filtration<br />and the oil mercruiser recommend 25/40<br />that was what i read on books!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Mercruiser Engine/ GM Equivalent

Hello<br />The 153 cid chevy is a variation of the 230/250 cid inline 6. the first apeared about 1958 0r so in trucks. the most popular use other than boats was in AMC mail jeeps.was a place in Ft worth I used to get all kinds of parts cheap. then they caught on to what I was doing and jacked up the price.that little motor worked very well in the mail carrying Jeeps.It was a wonderful boat engine until the mercarb appeared. please try not to use automotive parts on it. it may save you or some poor tech a lot of grief someday.<br /> good luck and keep posting