will 4.3 V-6 move our '79 260 Sundancer?

[Chris Nowell]

As we grow older our need for speed has been overtaken by a need for comfort and economy. For the last few years we have only used our '79 260 Sundancer at hull speeds and find we never have need to get it up on plane anymore. I am wondering if the marine 4.3 V-6 mercruiser engine would be enough to push us around if we don't plan on going fast. Our boat will need to be re powered eventually and the economics of the V-6 would fit our retirement budget better that the original engine. The boat presently has a 2006 Alpha 1 generation 2 leg that I am hoping will be compatible with the 4.3. The other option they say is to change to a displacement hull such as "Grand Banks" but this is completely out of the question. Only Sea Ray makes a Sea Ray and all others pale in comparison.

 

[sea hare]

It would probably be cheaper to do a direct replacement long block. (gm350) All your tins from the current motor can bolt right on. Plus the gear ratio in the outdrive will be different from a v6 to a v8... Also, unless youre planning on keeping the boat forever, I think you will have a very hard time reselling a boat that cannot even get on plane...

 

[Ididntdoit]

Agreed - at displacement speed the difference will be nill - the weight savings is negligable too. all you will really save is the cost of 2 spark plugs at tune-up time. Why not just adapt a small sailboat auxillary deisel on its own independent mounts and use a driveshaft to couple it to the outdrive (cue the banjos)

 

[JVM225]

The extra cost of swapping to the V6 will probably never be gained back.
I doubt that you would see any fuel savings at all. Stick with the V8 until it dies and just keep it at a low RPM if you have the time. Enjoy the ride and save a lot of gas.

 

[kpetry]

All of the above, plus, you will totally kill the resale value, as the next potential guy may not share your love of slow speeds.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Yeh, I'm seeing the light now. The present engine has all new manifolds etc and I would probably have to live for another couple of hundred years before realizing any savings in fuel and spark plugs after a ridiculous swap like that. I've propped it up to a 23 pitch and although it won't achieve WOT spec it does idle around at close to hull speed and just sips the fuel at that speed. That's the nice thing about retirement, there's absolutely no rush to get anywhere.

Many thanx for the input.

 

[just me]

put a trolling motor on it , or even a sail