1976 22' Overnighter - Motor Suggestions?

[probablyhopeless]

Hello everyone! As some of you may have already read, I have decided to abandon the 1200 hour Mercruiser on the 76 Weekender I just bought. I was hoping some of you might have suggestions on what to use for my new power source... I'll certainly be doing plenty of research on my own, so hopefully I'm not annoying anyone by coming off as though I don't want to do any digging :smt024
Here's the basics of my situation:
I'd love to stay under 5k to get her running, assuming my friends, family, and I do the labor.
The boat will be used in almost purely salt water settings.
I don't care so much about beastly performance. I need to be able to get 30 miles out to get after some tuna, and get home safely.
I appreciate ANY information I can get. I'm very, very new at this.

Heres a few pictures of what we are looking at. Thanks for reading!

 

[keokie]

So I read the other thread as well.

When I was a kid, the neighbors had the exact same Sea Ray hull and deck in the Overnighter classification. I spent a lot of time and that boat. It was a great boat.

Before you lay down the cash on a motor (and yes, I would swap it out, too), make sure you have an honest assessment of dry rot in the stringers, transom, and deck. If it has significant rot (and that is very common in that vintage boat), a new motor will look cheap and easy.

Another important item. I believe the gas tank on that boat is foamed into the floor. I also believe SR was still using steel then. If so, it is likely to be rusted significantly, and replacement is neither cheap nor easy.

As far as what motor, a decent Mercruiser small block V8 will push the boat adequately.

 

[OldSkool]

I have a 5.0 Ford in Oldskool and she does 35-40 mph all day long. If I over speed her she'll see 45 but no need for that. A 5.0 or 5.7 should be a good size. Looks like you have a GM small block so I'd stay with that and everything should reconnect with little or no modification needed. Create motors are going to eat your budget in no time so you may want to check with a few marine salvers to see if something may be available with low hours.

Just remember that car motors are not set up for marine applications and need to be upgraded with the marine parts like carb, starter, alternator.........

Some even have a different cam set up. Just do your homework before jumping into a cheap engine with low hours.

Oldskools motor was rebuild about 7 seasons ago. While your motor is out check your cables and bellows and replace them if needed. All mine were replaced during the motor rebuild. I pulled the lower drive last year and replaced the impeller. You will want to make sure the exhaust logs are in good shape if you are going back to salt. They will most likely only last 5-7 years depending on how you maintain the boat after salt water use.

Will you trailer the boat and rinse out the salt or leave it in the slip?

 

[SloBurn]

Looks like a 305 GM block with 228hp. I'd go with the 5.7 L merc motor, if it will fit. This is a very reliable GM block, time tested for reliability. Very common motor in boats, parts are easy to find, too.

 

[KC_Sundancer]

Here's a source for motors many have used - brand new 5.7L Vortec Marine Engine for close to $5K with a closed cooling system.

http://www.michiganmotorz.com/vortec-marine-engine-bronze-package-1967current-replacement-p-59.html

 

[Chris Nowell]

Thought of your project when I came across this ad in my area. The dollar differences may work to your advantage if the shipping costs are reasonable. If you gain 15% with your US buck that means the engine will cost you about $2700 US. Good luck.
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/bod/4921148797.html

 

[tdschafer]

Thought of your project when I came across this ad in my area. The dollar differences may work to your advantage if the shipping costs are reasonable. If you gain 15% with your US buck that means the engine will cost you about $2700 US. Good luck.
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/bod/4921148797.html

It seems that price is already listed in US dollars. Still a good starting point!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Todd

 

[JVM225]

Can't go wrong with a small block GM (Mercruiser).
It's always best to go with all new from top to bottom, but if you are looking to save money you can just go for a new long block, and re-use the intake, carb, ignition, and all the other bolt on stuff.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Hmmmm, I missed the US buck thing there. Also way underestimated the CD dollar's drop, now at just over 26%. Went to phone on a US listing for a Campion 622 @ 34K US. Admiral said to check the exchange rate first,,,,, call never got made.

I would be interested to know what it would cost to ship that thing to S. Cal. 3K for a brand new one is a pretty good price. Would cost me $3906.00 CD, still not bad at all. And I could go there and get it in a day.

To OP; some of the mobile marine guys out here spend their winters rebuilding engines to sell in the summer. I can ask around for you. They'd all be fresh water blocks from a pretty clean lake. All depends on how much to ship too.

 

[BurgundyS24]

Go with a michiganmotorz.com