Omc 2.3 swap for 4.3 merc

[Speak]

Couple Questions I have a decent running 2.3 omc with a cobra. But honestly I'm board of it and need a project. My questios are this 1. If I sold my 2.3 set up what could I expect to get. 2. I can get a running 4.3 pully to prop power plant with300 hours on it for $1500is that a good deal?
I'm attached to my current hull and want a winter project. 1989 bayliner Capri - I know it will be ball crushing work to put it in but I live off of challenges. I'm that guy that puts 350s in s10 pickups. It makes no sense but I find it enjoyable



Thoughts
Stu

 

[Bondo]

Re: Omc 2.3 swap for 4.3 merc

Couple Questions I have a decent running 2.3 omc with a cobra. But honestly I'm board of it and need a project. My questios are this 1. If I sold my 2.3 set up what could I expect to get. 2. I can get a running 4.3 pully to prop power plant with300 hours on it for $1500is that a good deal?
I'm attached to my current hull and want a winter project. 1989 bayliner Capri - I know it will be ball crushing work to put it in but I live off of challenges. I'm that guy that puts 350s in s10 pickups. It makes no sense but I find it enjoyable



Thoughts
Stu

Ayuh,.... If it's truly Complete,... Ya, that's a fair deal,...

Buyin' a complete runnin', rotten donor boat is the way to get a Complete driveline,...

Donno what you'd get for the current stuff,... No doubt 10Xs more if Parted out,...

 

[matt167]

Re: Omc 2.3 swap for 4.3 merc

I'd do it if you have a bit of time and funding. Those Bayliner Capri's are pretty neat looking boats especially the I/O variations but they were all OMC. The return would be there in reliability. Not a bad idea all in all. And as Bondo says, you have $$$ parting out your 2.3L. The exhaust manifold is NLA and they bring quite a nice price, and the outdrive is a 2.3L specific ratio and it too is NLA/valuble

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Omc 2.3 swap for 4.3 merc

I did a 3.0 to V6 swap in my Capri. I have no regrets, but yours will be a bigger task with taking the whole transom shield out.

How big is the boat's fuel tank? I ask because I did a V6 swap in my old Grew that had a 2.5L and the tiny tank is an issue 16 imp gal I think. An hour of watersports and I'm watching the needle head for E.

My Bayliner has a 30 us gal tank.

 

[Speak]

Re: Omc 2.3 swap for 4.3 merc

Thanks for the positive feed back guys. I do love the look of the beast! I would enjoy having the only Capri with a 4.3 around. Looks like I will have everything from the pulleys to the prop. Less the trim pump and the helm controls. Will my existing trim pump work with the merc rams?

Howard my fuel tank is small I believe. Hold I think about 50L or so not sure what that is in gallons. What year of Capri was yours? Any tips on the swap?
Cheers Stu

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Omc 2.3 swap for 4.3 merc

Would be interesting to see if that can be done.... keep posting here while you working on your project

 

[Speak]

Re: Omc 2.3 swap for 4.3 merc

I will for sure bulbash. In September I'm pulling the motor and drive to go the transom. Will document the whole thing.

Stu

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Omc 2.3 swap for 4.3 merc

Stu, pretty much like putting a 350 in an S-10, unbolt the old, bolt in the new. you will need a bit of work for the engine mounts for the 4.3, however its pretty much a weekend project, 2 at most....... unless the stingers and transom are rotten.

FWIW, I put a 455 Olds in an S-10 as well as a Buick 3.8 liter V6 in another. No bolt-in parts available, fabricated everything for each build.

 

[Speak]

Not sure if Im allowed to post on my post that is so old. But here is what happened --- it was more than just the transom that was rotten. Everything from the Transom to the helm was toast. I spent all winter and spring gutting redoing the stringers, transom, deck,the entire interior. Then the site went down and I got frustrated with posting, so the rebuild thread went quiet. I will update what i can tonight on that thread. I have splashed the boat now and it feels solid and strong. I now have the itch for the 4.3l repower. I am actively looking for a donor boat for the transplant. As soon as i find it and if Im allowed I will document the swap and splash if anyone is interested.

 

[Speak]

Not sure if Im allowed to post on my post that is so old. But here is what happened --- it was more than just the transom that was rotten. Everything from the Transom to the helm was toast. I spent all winter and spring gutting redoing the stringers, transom, deck,the entire interior. Then the site went down and I got frustrated with posting, so the rebuild thread went quiet. I will update what i can tonight on that thread. I have splashed the boat now and it feels solid and strong. I now have the itch for the 4.3l repower. I am actively looking for a donor boat for the transplant. As soon as i find it and if Im allowed I will document the swap and splash if anyone is interested.

Ok here we go I have finally secured a complete rotten boat with a 4.3l merc for the transplant for $600. My good friend and I pick up the boat tomorrow. Will post pics. I have a question thou. What was the first year the 4.3l was used by merc? The seller posted the boat as a 1985. I thought the the 4.3 was first used in 1988? Anyway as promised I will document the transplant. . Should be a fun project

 

[Speak]

We'll after looking around the net it looks like the 4.3 has been around since 1985. What are your guys thoughts of the 1985 4.3 and the alpha 1 that goes with it of that year?

 

[Speak]

The donor boat......Edson challanger

 

[Speak]

This is the donor boat...no idea why the pic is upside down....cant figure this out. The pictures are the right side up in the host file. I have several more but the upside down thing needs to be figured out first.

 

[Speak]

I took the pictures with my ipad. Maybe this is the problem. I will try my regular camera tomorrow and try repost. Also I have some questions coming and wonder If this thread should be moved from the OMC board to the Mercruiser Board?

 

[Speak]

This is the donor boat...no idea why the pic is upside down....cant figure this out. The pictures are the right side up in the host file. I have several more but the upside down thing needs to be figured out first.

Motor in the engine compartment


Another shotShot of the gauges.

 

[Speak]

So I checked the thread on my ipad and my iPhone and the pictures seem to be the right way up???:facepalm:....can someone please let me know if its just my computer?

 

[Speak]

Serial number of the motor is 0C525578. I think its an 88-92 block. The engine mounts are big I think they are fluid ones, but not sure. If so then I would assume it does not have the balance shaft. The engine serial number was on top of the cover that sits on the flame arrestor. I went looking on the block above the starter but there is no tag there? I check on the valve covers none there either. I reviewed the sticky for help but only found the one spot. Also the drive numbers are very faded. not sure if I will be able to make them out. the drive number looks like it could be 0C68401?

One other thing I noted was there does not appear to be a fuel/water separator. the fuel line goes right to the fuel pump. I know its missing but where would it mount or go?

 

[Speak]

Ok no one in the omc section seems interested. I going to open a new thread in the mercruiser section. They might be more interested. Bullbash, up can find me there. Moderators if this is the wrong thing to do then sorry. I have a video that I will post there. Good bye to my Omc