Engine recommendations for 1985 sundancer 260

[LakerMatt]

Good Morning All, I am looking for a replacement motor on my 260 sundancer, and have came to some questions about what I can put in without making a whole lot of trouble for myself. I know that the OEM motor is a 350 V8 260hp, but I have not found any good deals around my area. I found a guy that has a 4.3L V6 out of a 90's boat for 300 bucks including the outdrive. only thing missing is the exhaust manifolds. do you think that I would be making a mistake by stepping down in power? I don't know exactly how much I would be losing, but I wanted to get your guys opinion because you guys have the Knowledge!! Please let me know. thanks!

 

[LakerMatt]

sorry. My mechanic answered this question already. he said NO WAY!! I tried to cancel post, but I guess it didn't work.

 

[SloBurn]

Big mistake. The mods required would be a major PITA. And the loss of power would be quite noticeable.

 

[Phlorida]

You aren't the first person to post and then find their answer almost immediately, don't worry about it.

Your mechanic is giving you good advice, the 4.3L engine sounds like a fantastic deal but it won't work in your boat. The 350 is a common engine, keep your eyes out and you will come across one.

 

[dpmulvey]

No one ever complained of too much power. I would go with a Crusader 6.0L. Or if you have deep pockets try this: http://boatstoreonline.com/420_MPI.html

 

[GJarrett]

I owned a '93 230 Sundancer that weighed 900 lbs less than yours. It had the 4.3LX with the 4bbl carb and had marginal power for the boat. It was fine with just me and my wife on board but when loaded down with extra visitors it was embarrasing... I'd have to ask them to go up in the vberth to get on plane. Your mechanic is right; no way that engine would work in your boat.

 

[Ten Years Gone]

Matt, if you want to do it right the first time, and have no regrets...spend the money on a 6.2 liter Vortec 383 stroker. The same horsepower and torque of a big block, without the weight. It is the single most important upgrade that you can make to experience instant improvement in performance at all levels, without changing anything else on the boat. Period.

 

[dpmulvey]

Matt, if you want to do it right the first time, and have no regrets...spend the money on a 6.2 liter Vortec 383 stroker. The same horsepower and torque of a big block, without the weight. It is the single most important upgrade that you can make to experience instant improvement in performance at all levels, without changing anything else on the boat. Period.

You are correct. The link I provided is for a stroker. The HUGE difference is it weighs several hundred pounds less and has the torque curve of a diesel.

 

[LakerMatt]

funny as it is... I ran into a guy down LITERALLY down the street that has a boat in his backyard that he wanted to part out. I open up the engine hatch, and what did I see? a 5.7 mercruiser EFI. has the GEN 2 outdrive. runs and is a 1999 model. I asked him what he wanted for the motor and he said he would take 1400 bucks. I think that is fair enough for an upgraded version of my original motor.... Now I just have to see what he will let me have the outdrive for...

 

[Ten Years Gone]

Matt, tread water carefully when going from carbed to EFI, and IF you buy his engine and outdrive...you MUST get the entire transom assembly as well.

 

[LakerMatt]

ok. I figured that it was a whole different kind of step. I am also looking at a carbureted 1990 260 mercruiser that has the freshwater cooling system on it. the guy wants 300 bucks for the whole boat. it is a 1990 century cabin cruiser. never even heard of Century boats... but it has a mercruiser. I am going to go over there and check it out this weekend and see if it starts or looks ok.

 

[LakerMatt]

just went out and looked at the carb'd 350... junk. I am still on the hunt!! I have been scared away from any fuel injected engines... I guess I will look at all the good ol carbed editions.. starting to get a little frustrating.

 

[keokie]

Why are you afraid of EFI? I have had both, and I will not go back to carbs.