Can't blame you for wanting a little extra power, but consider this:

Your boat's retail value may be worth about six grand maybe less.

Your going to need a COMPLETE mercruiser engine (not just the block)
expect to pay about $4000 - $6000 for a Quicksilver remanufactured unit
with the fuel pump wiring, carb, flywheel, starter, bell housing, etc.

Your going to need to regear your outdrive. Plan on another $800 - $3000
on anything from just a gear change to a completely rebuilt unit.

Did we forget installation labor?

So now your in to this boat for well over $5000.00. Try to shave a few
bucks off and get a used, rebuit, reman, engine from a no name company,
and/or have "Willy the beer drinking wrench twirling wonder" next store
install it, and you'll be dreaming of the days with your 'ol 488 in no
time.

I had a buddy who had to get a new engine (his crapped out over countless
hours) so he decided to go from an OMC 4 to a V6. He bought a "rebuilt"
one for about $3000, then had a marina, that I wouldn't trust to fix an
oarlock much less install an engine, for another two grand. Spend about
six grand, but I think he MAY have gone from a standard OMC to an OMC
cobra or some other brand. In less than one season, that engine was
blowing oil. Bad seals. Bad Compression. Spent another $3500 to get
that engine torn out and rebuilt.

So over a two year period ,that boats seen less water than an Ethiopian.
All for $6000 over what the boat was worth! For the money he spent could
have bought a carefully used bigger boat with more power outright!

If this *IS* your perfect boat except for the power issue, than it may be
worth it to you. Otherwise, it is usually cheaper to sell what you have
and spend the money on an already upgraded vessel.

Either way, Good Luck!

Bob Dimond





In article , "Brillo"
wrote:

I have a 1983 Grady White Seafarer 22" IO. The engine is the old Merc
Cruiser 488. 4 cylinder 188 hp. FWC. This motor is just about done and I am
considering repowering with a Mercruiser 4.3 L V6 carburated 190 hp. Does
anyone have any experience with this job? Any problems or major pit falls I
need to watch out for? Thanks.