merc. remanned engines

[smokediver]

just a little info from recent experience . when my engine was torn down it was a little shocking to find all cast internals, 2 bolt mains , and steel freeze plugs .... I kinda lost faith in their program ... buyer beware ...
New engine has 4 bolt mains , forged internals ( except the pistons ) , brass freeze plugs , balanced rotating assy ... same warranty and 2500 cheaper , oh ...and it's a 383 , not a 350 ...

[Mr X]

John,
was the 350 a Merc. engine?
Is the 383 a Merc. engine?

[smokediver]

the 350 was a merc. marine motor . the 383 is not a merc. motor . I am not passing too much judgement but .... the way that merc.marine preaches about " a true marine engine " is a bunch of bs . I have to look no further than what i bought from them . The price was right from the "true marine engine " perspective , however , it is in conflict with reality .

[MOP]

The steel casting plugs more then likely slipped through, Merc buys base 2bolt GM blocks for their average prodution engines. Merc only uses 4 bolt blocks and good internals for their high perf stuff. As a boat mech I have never been thrilled with their overall quality, in my opinion and many others they are all about marketing not quality. A very close buddy has been a Merc dealer for well over 30 years, he says being a Merc dealer is like having a premium annutiy you just can't lose!

[Sam]

So when do you think you will be posting some stats on the 383 :wink: .

[smokediver]

The 383 is 375 horse at 5000 rpm and 440 lb. tq at 3800 rpm . the cool thing about the 383 is that the torque is over the 400 lb mark at 2500 rpm . glad I got a 2 year warranty on the alpha !

[pmreed]

That's gonna be one fire-breathing 16:eek!:

Phil

[realbold]

Bolts dont make power. I never heard of a 2 bolt failing. Its all I got.

[need for speed]

come on get her done i wana ride:wink:

[smokediver]

Bolts dont make power. I never heard of a 2 bolt failing. Its all I got.
I agree , my point is that if you are being told " heavy duty for the marine enviornment ", you would think that is a 4 bolt main ...and so on ...

[Schnook]

I see those 383's advertised as a sub for 454/330. Any thoughts?

[mikev]

Bolts dont make power. I never heard of a 2 bolt failing. Its all I got.
I have always heard on a small block 2 bolt Mains will not fail till your pushing 450-500hp and over 6k rpms with a normaly asspirated engine. Now if your running a supercharger i wouldnt trust it.

[cigarette30]

Bolts dont make power. I never heard of a 2 bolt failing. Its all I got.

I am afraid I disagree, it's not the bolts breaking, it's the two bolt mains are far more prone to spinning a main crankshaft bearing. I have had it happen twice through the years on 2 bolts, never on a 4.

[BUIZILLA]

I've turned my current 2 bolt over 8100 rpm, and routinely shift at 7200-7400 @ 560 hp with no issues.

JH

[Cuda]

I am afraid I disagree, it's not the bolts breaking, it's the two bolt mains are far more prone to spinning a main crankshaft bearing. I have had it happen twice through the years on 2 bolts, never on a 4.
On a boat? I don't think boats turn enough rpm to damage a two bolt main. If one comes with four bolt, all the better.