Need advice on 1975 SRV190 w/Merc 165

[Jonnyspeed]

I have a deposit on an SRV 190 in right now. I won't be able to go see it until next week. I thought it had a 170hp I6 Merc, but it turns out that it was repowered at some point with a 3.7L 165hp 4cly Merc wit an Alpha one. I have read a lot of bad things about these motors. The dealer tells me that they put a lot of work into the motor and the sales guy thinks it was rebuilt, but he will give me the details as to exactly what was done tomorrow. The price is great, but I don't want a boat that is isn't going to be reliable on Lake Erie with the family. What would you do? Repower? Rebuld (if it hasn't been) or walk away? The price is only $1600 so I don't mind putting some money into it, but I can't help wonder ...
Here are pics:

 

[BonBini]

She looks clean from the photo's.

Maybe you could post some specific concerns you have for the motor so some owner/techs can chime back with some specifics answers. I'm not sure, but I think that 3.7 was refered to in a car as "The Iron Duke".

All I can say is: 35 yr old boat.... Sea trial a must. What is the compresion test results. Listen for eng knocks when cold. Listen for engine knocks when hot. Float the rpms up hot no load, 2500 ish and listen for a loose botom end. Look at blow by on hot motor, some will be normal. Teach your self how to knock the hull for rot.

Some really knowlage guys should chime in very soon for ya. Be a patiant buyer and best of luck with her.

...Ron

 

[Jonnyspeed]

Thanks. I think I may have come up with the best solution... I talked to a reputable local marine engine expert. He told me that my concerns about this motor are well founded. He gave me several options for replacing that motor. The one I think I like best is a certified used 228hp V8. He quoted me $950 for the motor and approximately $750 in labor to swap them out. I think I would feel a lot better about the boat with a reliable V8 in there. I'd be in just over $3K at that point. That's still a pretty good deal IMHO. I just need to verify that the 1975 SRV 190 has stringers for a V8. I assume it does since they were options from the factory. Can the experts verify? I'm not in a hurry to make a mistake.... I think this is a pretty good way to go. I do love the lines on the boat so I may be biased

 

[ghuskin]

She looks clean from the photo's.

I'm not sure, but I think that 3.7 was refered to in a car as "The Iron Duke".


...Ron

We used to refer to that motor as "the Iron Puke"!

the 228 hp is a 305 ci small block chevy. Same weight as the 260 hp 350 ci small block chevy...

just sayin'

 

[Jonnyspeed]

We used to refer to that motor as "the Iron Puke"!

the 228 hp is a 305 ci small block chevy. Same weight as the 260 hp 350 ci small block chevy...

just sayin'

Yep, I totally agree with what you are saying... The combination of price/reputation has me leaning this way. This is what he has in stock. If he had a 350 I would go that route. That should put the boat into the 50+mph range which is plenty for what I want to do.

 

[KRB64]

Our 1976 195 has the Ford 351 V8. Plenty of motor for that size boat (multiple skiers, etc).

 

[ghuskin]

Johnnyspeed,

I have the 228 hp Merc in my 22'. It's begging for more. that is a heavy motor with minimal power. She'll be stern heavy. i think you'll want the extra power to get her a$$ out of the water.

 

[parkerboatman]

I had a 1991 Bayliner that had a straight 6 in it. Did about 43 mph wasnt the fastest boat out there but it was great on gas. I could go out for a weekend on a 1/2 tank. it was a 20ft open bow.

 

[malajoy]

Most older 4 cylinder I/O's don not idle very well, and consequently they don't shift well either. It seems that the 4 bangers don't have enough torque to keep the idle smooth. Also and when you shift from neutral to either forward or reverse, the extra load on the engine combined with low torque makes it more susceptible to stallling or just having a more difficult time shifting. My first boat was a 1977 Galaxy with a 2.5 litre 120hp Mercruiser 4 banger (I believe that was the original "Iron Duke" that was used in many GM cars). It suffered from the aforementioned problems-even after carb rebuild and new shift cable. My father-in-law has a 1984 Glastron with a 3.0 litre 140hp inline 4 (just a bored out version of the 2.5 litre), and it has the same symptoms as my old 120hp 4 banger. Crappy idle and poor shifting characteristics. My other boats have had either the 4.3 litre Mercruiser (GM v-6) of the tried-and-true 5.7 litre GM V-8 260hp. No idle problems or shifting problems.