Mercruiser 7.4 Replacement/Upgrade
#21
#22
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A lot of folk simply don't like them...basically the internals (crank, rods, etc) are not anywhere on par with a 8.2 (502 cid) engine. It originally wasn't really intended for marine use, more of a 'truck engine', if you will. With that said, there are a shiite load of them out there and some perform very well. A friend of mine has a 232 Baja with a 496 Mag H.O. and it is a VERY nice running boat.
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Baja 252 Islander
Baja 252 Islander
#23
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#25
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BTW, what do you mean by stuck? Did you ground the boat?
Michigan Motorz list 2 new base 7.4L engines. Whether they have them in stock or whatnot due to today's circumstances I don't know.
To each their own, but unless you're a tinkerer and like fooling with it in the driveway for something to do.
A 2001 Searay 260 isn't something I myself would spend a lot of money or time on to repower with "substitutes" when simple options are available.
Get it done and be back to boating as economical as possible! YMMV
https://www.michiganmotorz.com/produ...marine-engines
Michigan Motorz list 2 new base 7.4L engines. Whether they have them in stock or whatnot due to today's circumstances I don't know.
To each their own, but unless you're a tinkerer and like fooling with it in the driveway for something to do.
A 2001 Searay 260 isn't something I myself would spend a lot of money or time on to repower with "substitutes" when simple options are available.
Get it done and be back to boating as economical as possible! YMMV
https://www.michiganmotorz.com/produ...marine-engines
#26
Registered
I remembered that 6 or so years ago I repowered a 260 sea ray with a 6.2 carb. It was a couple mph slower, and wanted to cruise at a slightly higher rpm. Seemed to run best 3800-4000 where the old 7.4 was fine at 3300. The small block seemed to fall off plane easy if you ran slower.
#27
BTW, what do you mean by stuck? Did you ground the boat?
Michigan Motorz list 2 new base 7.4L engines. Whether they have them in stock or whatnot due to today's circumstances I don't know.
To each their own, but unless you're a tinkerer and like fooling with it in the driveway for something to do.
A 2001 Searay 260 isn't something I myself would spend a lot of money or time on to repower with "substitutes" when simple options are available.
Get it done and be back to boating as economical as possible! YMMV
https://www.michiganmotorz.com/produ...marine-engines
Michigan Motorz list 2 new base 7.4L engines. Whether they have them in stock or whatnot due to today's circumstances I don't know.
To each their own, but unless you're a tinkerer and like fooling with it in the driveway for something to do.
A 2001 Searay 260 isn't something I myself would spend a lot of money or time on to repower with "substitutes" when simple options are available.
Get it done and be back to boating as economical as possible! YMMV
https://www.michiganmotorz.com/produ...marine-engines
Also while $7,000 sounds great when you add the extra costs and parts needed plus labor how much do I really save is the question.
Thanks,
Scott
#28
Registered
I've got a 26 year old 7.4 and it still runs fine. Mine being a carb motor so I have less things that can cause a running issue
Corrosion will always be around, the over heating will stay away with regular maintenance. The coupler will almost never fail if regular maintenance is done
Corrosion will always be around, the over heating will stay away with regular maintenance. The coupler will almost never fail if regular maintenance is done
The following users liked this post:
cheech (09-28-2021)
#29
I've got a 26 year old 7.4 and it still runs fine. Mine being a carb motor so I have less things that can cause a running issue
Corrosion will always be around, the over heating will stay away with regular maintenance. The coupler will almost never fail if regular maintenance is done
Corrosion will always be around, the over heating will stay away with regular maintenance. The coupler will almost never fail if regular maintenance is done
The overheat issue was actually caused by mechanics error confirmed by another mechanic (the hose was not on correctly.).
My mechanic said engine coupler was caused by taking off too fast from tubing (I've never heard of that, wasn't gunning it and didn't think that would cause it). What about people that take off quickly because they want to?
#30
Registered
More torque load is harder on parts, but it’s typically the drive that hates you more for that.
Lack of grease and misaligned drive shaft to coupler are biggest issues causing that.
The following 5 users liked this post by SB:
AllDodge (09-27-2021), bajaman (09-27-2021), Griff (09-28-2021), liberator221 (09-28-2021), Scottd21 (09-27-2021)