Repowering Cindy Lou, need help

CATCH AND EAT · 08-18-2003, 10:48 AM

On my other post I mentioned Cindy Lou (23' Trophy) is out of commision. Originally she has a 4.3L Mercruiser. Thinking V8 now since she has felt a little under powered since the day I have owned her. I have someone to do the work just looking for the best prices for either a low hour unit or new.

08-18-2003, 10:54 AM

See if a Ford or Dodge diesel will fit in there.

Phil Layer · 08-18-2003, 12:15 PM

C&E,

I am in the final stages of repowering my boat. I too had hoped to increase power and thought of upgrading to a six cylinder as it currently has a four banger in it.

I have a lot of respect for my boat mechanic and asked him this question. He told me he could run the numbers for me but that he had done it many times before for other customers. He said the costs of changing to a different engine was always prohibitively expensive. I didn't pursue it any further.

You may want to talk to your mechanic about the conversion but be ready for some big numbers if my mechanic knows what he's talking about.

While my boat engine did not have that many hours on it, I am looking forward to seeing how much power I have with the new engine. Friends tell me to be prepared for quite a bit more with the fresh engine.

Good luck.

Orca · 08-18-2003, 12:26 PM

www.ebasicpower.com

royalfish · 08-18-2003, 12:47 PM

Just read your other thread and am sorry to hear the news. Came by your slip and low and behold, no boat :depressed: . Hope you can get it fixed in time for Sept fishing

Norm · 08-18-2003, 03:35 PM

Cummins NW might be worth a call for a rebuilt. I don't know if they stock marine engines, but they can probably get them. They work with a big engine re-builder in Wa. They have the best warranty, price, and quality rebuilt engines I've run into.

[ 08-18-2003, 07:51 PM: Message edited by: Norm ]

Pilar · 08-18-2003, 04:03 PM

C and E, let me plug Seaway Marine in Seattle. They may have a motor and outdrive or just a replacement motor, ready to go. You won't find a better place to deal with, period. Any old Mercruiser or Mercury part you can think of from a carb rebuild kit to complete motors and outdrives they have it. The price is good (better than most anywhere else) and they actually know something about boats. I replaced a gimbal housing (with new old stock, still in the box) for about 1/3 of the new price. I saved about $400. The knowledge of the people there may prevent you from doing something stupid.

Second choice would be to find a boat with rot issues and make a glider out of it. Rebuild or refurbish the used powerplant and put it in your boat.

If you upgrade to V-8 you can expect to change out the the Gimbal Housing, Heat Exchangers, Outdrive and Motor. The new hunk of Iron will need more space to fit in and the motor mounts will be different. Oh, and your fuel use will go up by a lot. So you may need a new, larger fuel tank.

Since so much will be changed out, find a rotted out boat and you get all that stuff.

Why did the original power plant fail?

Last choice would be a rebuild of the existing powerplant. Or buy a new replacement 4.3 from Indmar or Crusader ( http://www.propowermarine.com/262lh.htm ).

[ 08-18-2003, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

TWB · 08-18-2003, 06:23 PM

C and E, if you have some time, go over to Kem Equipment, Inc in Tualatin. I don't have there number, but you can get it. There web site seems to be down right now also.
They manufacture the "Kodiak" jet pump. They also sell ton's of 5.7L 350 Vortec's. You can buy it two ways, with fuel injection or with carb. They convert factory new motors to marine, complete fresh water cooled engines. They are complete with electric fuel pump, marine alt, marine starter, motor mounts and aluminum manifolds and risers. They even have a kit that allows you to run fresh water through the manifold and only raw water through the riser, perty cool idea. Here it run on there floor and drop it in and go.
I have one and it's a very nice package. When I bought they were very reasonable, but probably much more now?
They also have much larger engines if you need lots of horsepower and a large fuel bill.
Good people, knowledgeable, and it's really fun to stroke the floor model with all the polished chrome and aluminum! :grin:
John, that Seayway Marine sounds like a cool place for parts. Do you no if they have Volvo parts or outdrives?
C and E, good luck with your repower, I no how much that hurts the pocket book! :shocked:
Even if you didn't buy I would bet that you would learn a lot from them.
Jerry

CrazyFish · 08-18-2003, 11:54 PM

Try E-Bay motors. The last time I looked they had some new marine V8's at a great deal. :smile:

CATCH AND EAT · 08-19-2003, 07:49 AM

This is all great information folks. I really appreciate it. Still thinking of a repower this winter. Cindy Lou is barely running this morning but she is running. The knock sounds are eliminated thank goodness but she does have electrical problems to take care of.

I just missed a low hour 5.7 in the paper yesterday. That's the way it goes.

Thanks for the imput.