Donzi 22 Re-Power 377 Scorpion - HELP
So... this might be long...
Last year I bought a 1992 Classic 22. It is in 8/10 cosmetic condition, and had a freshly rebuilt Jasper 454 engine. It had a King Cobra outdrive. The lower unit started going bad right away, so I found an unused lower unit online and bought it. It was running pretty good. The guy was asking $20,000 for the boat and I ended up working him down to $13,000 at the end of the summer. So I think I got it for a good price.
This Memorial Day weekend, I was heading back across the bay and the engine shut off and wouldn't start back up. I eventually got towed in. The mechanic took the engine out and determined that the oil hose came unplugged, the engine wasn't getting any oil, and now it's toast. Metal filings were all in the upper unit, so that's done too.
I have cash in this boat, so I'm a bit restricted on my options. A 40th Anniversary caught my eye, but it's $35,000. I would need to sell my current one at a big loss, just to put SOME money to counter the $35,000 40th Anniversary. I would have a beautiful 40th Anniversary Donzi... but it would still have an 11 year old engine. I could lose that engine any day and I would take ANOTHER hit.
A new Mercruiser 502 is like $25,000... and I would still need to get an outdrive and I don't want to stay with King Cobra. I'm looking at forking up some serious cash... like $30,000. I can't do that.
After spending weeks looking around, and talking to dealers around the country, I found something that might work.
A dealer down in Florida says he can give me a New Mercruiser Scorpion 377 with a 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty, a new Bravo 1 outdrive, a prop, a harness, and any needed re-glassing of the transom for $19,500 including install.
I'm 30 years old, this is my first "real" boat, and I just can't justify doing much more financially. That package for $19,500 sounds like a deal. The current hull is in excellent shape and overall the boat is 8/10 cosmetically. Now I would have a brand new engine and outdrive.
The Scorpion is pushing 350HP at the prop. I know it's not the most HP, but it's a small block and weighs about 400lbs less than a big block... PLUS I am riding this boat in the Chesapeake Bay. A calm day in the Bay is still 1 foot chop, and its often more with white caps. I think that Scorpion will get me to a top speed of around 65mph, and that's really all I want/need in those conditions. I was hitting 60 with the old engine, and it's all I wanted... even trimmed out, the boat was jumping and getting a bit squirrely. Sure, it would be nice to crank her up to 70-75mph on the RARE extra calm day, but the $$$$ difference is too much for me. Furthermore, the Scorpion is great on gas and burns regular gas.
I'd love to have that 40th Anniversary Edition... The Yellow is SO SWEET and she looks SO clean. It would actually be cheaper than getting the setup down in Florida BUT BUT BUT I would have a boat with an 11 year old engine.
Should I go with the Scorpion package and call it a day? I'm really liking the idea of a brand new engine and outdrive... I'm tempted by the 40th Anniversary, but I think the smart thing to do is go with the new engine and drive.
Thanks for reading and any help!
a 350HP small block would be great in a 18'
Stick with a Big Block in a 22'. I run a stock 502 crate motor and they can be had from 1-800 runs new or other for about 7K. Add in new dressings and for 8-10K you'll have a reliable engine that will push your boat 70+ loaded up any day of the week...
Reading about the Cobra drives, no need to change it out...
Good Luck!
BIG BLOCK or not to BIG BLOCK?
Last year almost to the day I was standing in the same shoes you find yourself in. The slightly worked 454 blew in my 1995 22C which we just purchased 1 year earlier. We looked at all of our options and landed on a 502 long block from 1800runsnew. Gave us more stock horsepower AND all of the extras from the 454 bolted right up such as intake and exhaust manifolds, carburetor, etc. We did wind up replacing a few parts that made sense to do since the engine was out anyway. We looked at a stroker engine but would have needed to buy all new extras also was concerned about the change in the weight balance of the boat. Now we have over 50 hours since the new block and not any issues, the boat is truly turn key. If for nothing else get the big block just because of the awesome melody it makes. Raises the hair on the back of my neck when I fire it up. :yes:
It's not all about top speed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TheSharkGuy
My mechanic down where the boat is has a 454 that he can build for me. Says it should put out around 425HP and he will give us a 1 year warranty. He also has a 502, but he doesn't want to part with it.
How much faster should the 425HP Big Block run compared to the 350HP Small Block?
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My guess is that lightly loaded the boat will be 5mph faster on top with the 425HP/454.
It will be able to run a larger prop so midrange speed will probably be a larger difference.
The big block will have a lot more torque so it will accelerate far better and will carry heavier loads better.
I've owned 3 Donzis- a 1975 18 Classic with a 320HP/350 , 1987 20 Minx with a 270 then 300HP/350, and a 22 Classic with 415/502.
The 22C with 502 is a far better performer because of the big block; boat accelerates like mad...:shades:
good choice to replace an old 330/454, not a 454HO
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TheSharkGuy
The invoice he sent me reads: "6.2L / 377 Scorpion Marine Engine"
I found this one on a mercury website but it says 340HP. The dealer says the one he is selling me tests 350HP at the prop.
http://www.mercurymercruiser.com/mer...Scorpion%20377
Thanks again for the help / info...
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Have you desided to buy a Merc package and replace the drive?
If no, then I suggest you stick with a big block.
I've got the base 502 and the boat runs great.
http://www.1800runsnew.com/newbase-details-NLM.html#502
SBC and BBC of similar vintage mount the same
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TheSharkGuy
I sent pics of the engine well to him and he said he uses the same mounts so that will make it easier.
Another part of this equation is that my father has offered to split the cost if we go with the new scorpion and new out drive package. He is all about the "new" and is really pushing it even though just about EVERY one of you said to go with a rebuilt / crate big block.
You guys sold me on the big block, but the financial help from my father isn't a bad deal either.
Chevy 350 and 454 blocks use the same Merc bell housing and motor mounts. I have no idea about OMC.
To go from OMC to Merc, your likely going to be filling and drilling new holes in the transome and stringers.
For the exhuast, there may be some sort of off-set adapter to mach the wider spaced thru hole if your using the short Merc risers.
I agree, take Dad's money/help. What's the warrenty on the new package?
Sb to bb or bb to sb is a direct drop in
I put a 350 mag directly into my boat that had the 454 bb in it. The exhaust was just 4" rubber exhaust but went right on and didn't have any issues with it. Both were straight from the manifolds to the tips. The mounts dropped right into place. I only had to adjust for the alignment. That was not correct with the bb or the sb until it was adjusted.
The only way the mounts will move is if the omc and merc transom assemblies move the motor forward or backward due to depth difference in the 2 manufacturers. I'm not sure of that will change or not, I'm not very familiar with omc, I do know of a guy who has a 90 mph sunbird with a 45 hp sb and a stock cobra. A few case design upgrades for water flow but internally stock. The guy said that's the only thing he has never had a problem with.