Jeff8330
Member
- Apr 22, 2019
- 31
- Boat Info
- 1981 srv 310 sedan bridge
Twin 454 mercruisers
- Engines
- T/340(454) mercruiser straight drives
My wife wanted me to unload the boat this year, and buy something that doesn't need major work to be enjoyable. We'll, I cannot part with this boat. As much as I've said over and over, I'm so tired of working on shit, rebuilding motors, changing seals fixing this or that, I'm facing my reality. It's a part of who I am and as frustrated as i get sometimes, I'll never stop. When I do all the work myself, I get a boat that is setup, how I want it. With no compromises. I never lose when I invest in the work I do, to MY boat. Anyway, I have quite an extensive list of things I'll be upgrading and or replacing, 75% of everything will be done by me. First on my list is a repower. My old 330's are worn out. It's time. Plus the port motor is knocking like hell and its been bandaided by the po so many times already, I'm doi g it the right way. As I said, it's got 454's in it now. It really doesn't need big blocks in my opinion. I believe a set of small blocks will do exactly what I want/need it to.. Here's my dilemma. Originally, I was going to look for two crusader 270s. I had a Chris craft that was in the same class (weight/age/size/use/hull design/) as this boat. She was powered by twin 270s. I loved those engines. They are ALL thirsty, but the fuel economy between My Chris craft and this boat was a VERY noticeable difference... Something like 25gph/engine VS the 45 with the 454s. The crusaders just seemed to hold up better all around. I'm doing this boat on the tightest budget I can have whilst not giving up on any quality I can afford not to give up on.. Simply because I'm just not a rich man. I'm definitely not cheap.
Ive found two practically new crusader 220s. I know. I know. They are 305's, believe me, it's crossed my mind over and over and over. That's a small, small small block lol. Let's face it, automotive or marine the 305 just isn't a powerhouse by any stretch. Reliable as hell. Just weak. However, as I said these motors have almost no run time on them after being completely rebuilt. Guy has receipts, and I have talked to the shop that rebuilt them. Every thi g was done on the up and up. I can get these motors for literally almost NOTHING. The owner of them got them for a 30ft sport craft, and the boat ended up having rotted stringers. So they got laid up in a garage last year. They are routinely oiled and turned by hand. They are counter rotation. What is everyones thoughts on this? What can I expect with these two engines in there? I know it's a huge dip from what's in there now, but I don't need a ton of power, and as I said, the guy is almost willing to give me these engines as I have been doing work for him a long long long time, I would say we are friends. We talk boats every chance we get. He isn't hurting for money at all, and he wants to see them get used, and plus he loves my boat so.... I normally wouldn't even consider it if I was paying top dollar, but completely reliable, professionally redone engines? For next to nothing. I'm torn. I know they'll struggle with my 12,000lb 31 ft boat, but how badly? Anyone, need guidance. Sorry for the long post, but this is a big decision for me. Thanks in advance, if you made it through the entire post, thanks even more haha.
Ive found two practically new crusader 220s. I know. I know. They are 305's, believe me, it's crossed my mind over and over and over. That's a small, small small block lol. Let's face it, automotive or marine the 305 just isn't a powerhouse by any stretch. Reliable as hell. Just weak. However, as I said these motors have almost no run time on them after being completely rebuilt. Guy has receipts, and I have talked to the shop that rebuilt them. Every thi g was done on the up and up. I can get these motors for literally almost NOTHING. The owner of them got them for a 30ft sport craft, and the boat ended up having rotted stringers. So they got laid up in a garage last year. They are routinely oiled and turned by hand. They are counter rotation. What is everyones thoughts on this? What can I expect with these two engines in there? I know it's a huge dip from what's in there now, but I don't need a ton of power, and as I said, the guy is almost willing to give me these engines as I have been doing work for him a long long long time, I would say we are friends. We talk boats every chance we get. He isn't hurting for money at all, and he wants to see them get used, and plus he loves my boat so.... I normally wouldn't even consider it if I was paying top dollar, but completely reliable, professionally redone engines? For next to nothing. I'm torn. I know they'll struggle with my 12,000lb 31 ft boat, but how badly? Anyone, need guidance. Sorry for the long post, but this is a big decision for me. Thanks in advance, if you made it through the entire post, thanks even more haha.