Mercruiser $$$ - Don’t Get Mercruisered

In this video I discuss how I rebuild Mercruiser engines without ever buying Mercruiser “genuine” parts. Mercruiser used GM engines mostly so if you know what year model engine Mercruiser used you can buy the car or truck equivalent part (it’s actually the same part) for your Mercruiser engine. Like I say in the video I’ve been building marine inboard engines exclusively for 2 years (I’ve built over 500 engines in my lifetime of all sorts) and I have yet to buy a Mercruiser part.
Here is a list of some of the parts suppliers I use for rebuilding marine inboard engines. As I think of more I’ll update the list here.
MarineEngine.com - my source for Mercruiser part #s; Google part # to find best reasonable price; Google all new sources for reviews
Rockauto - by far the source of most parts but shipping from multiple warehouses gets expensive
Summit Racing - free shipping over $100 so they beat Rockauto on heavy parts
Engine Parts Center - sparse inventory but good prices and fast shipping
Northern Auto Parts - decent prices but hit or miss on inventory
Marine Parts Source - fast shipping on marine specific parts like Alpha One gaskets
Marine Engine Depot - good place to compare prices
Offshore Marine Parts - low prices but weak inventory
NLA Marine - used parts like marine brackets and mounts (pricey but sometimes your only source)
GreenBayProp.com - used parts
In another video which I can’t remember a viewer asked me if I knew the Mercruiser 4.3 V6 camshaft part number. Well I finally found it and it’s 10134321. But it’s been discontinued by GM so if you need one either buy used or get Delta Camshaft to make you one.
Ebay - nothing more to say but check new price before buying here
I’m not going to say names but there are some parts houses that I won’t buy from. If the price seems to good to be true, it’s because it is. Look at Google reviews before buying.

[@marujo100]

Thanks from Brazil 🇧🇷!

[@moccasinmarine]

Glad I could help.

[@HoldFast-un2fc]

Appreciate the info and great video I just bought a boat with a 1989 4.3 Mercruiser engine in it has a cracked block but the guy gave me another engine out of a truck that is a 4.3 and I noticed it has a space for a fuel pump but no holes factory drilled for it.

[@moccasinmarine]

He gave you a fuel injected engine. If you are using a carburetor you’ll have to install an electric fuel pump and the wiring to safely run it.

[@HoldFast-un2fc]

@moccasinmarine I see so I'll use the cam out of the mercruiser engine for it and install a electric fuel pump wired to safety spec cool thanks alot hopefully that's all the problems I'll run into I plan on doing a rebuild on it if it all checks out OK once I finish tearing it down it had a lot of water in the oil pan maybe from where he had it sitting outside

[@rotax800cc]

Thanks for the info keep up the good work!

[@lynntatro7374]

Thank You!

[@moccasinmarine]

You're welcome!

[@ezrider7970]

Thank you good job

[@conservativeteacher1987]

I'm in the process of refreshing my 2003 Mercruiser 3.0 and correcting a bent valve that put it out of commission. I've been advised that the 3.0 is just an industrial GM 181 c.i. four cylinder. Can you provide some guidance on what i need to search for to find the automotive equivalent?

[@moccasinmarine]

Call Scott’s Machine Shop in Fayetteville GA. He can sell you one or tell you where to get one.

[@TEODOROANDRES]

Thanks for the videos. A lot of good information.
Anyway you can help me not get mercruised?
I’m looking for a dipstick for a 1996 4.3LX vortec. Any good recommendations? TIA

[@moccasinmarine]

I’m afraid you might get Mercruisered on dipsticks. Marine dipsticks are unique to marine engines. eBay, NLA Marine, and Green Bay Propeller are about the only sources I know for used dipsticks.

[@jacobfriddle147]

I am installing a GM Truck Vortec 5.7 into a boat. Do I have to have a Marine Spec Cam or can i leave the GM Truck cam in the engine? Opinions?

[@moccasinmarine]

A marine spec cam is almost identical to a Corvette cam so compare the Corvette horsepower to the truck horsepower for the same engine and you’ll see what you’re missing. Marine cams are designed to run at a higher RPM and make more horsepower. The unmistakable rumble of a marine 5.7 is due to the camshaft. Actually, you can’t make the comparison there was never an iron block Corvette with Vortec heads. When vortec truck engines came out the Corvettes were already using LT1 reverse flow cooling aluminum heads. From there the Corvette went to the LS1 so Corvette never had a vortec iron truck engine.

[@jbbreedlove5230]

What about a water pump for 5.7 merc (350) with carb

[@moccasinmarine]

Depends on the year

[@joshtalbott9528]

What about injectors? IWP069 I found some on amazon same part numberfrom Rop shopfor 20 instead of 220$ Ive been told different things. the cheep injectors are crap to they come from the same factory.... any info?

[@moccasinmarine]

Can you re-ask your question? There are a few typos that make it unclear what you are asking.

[@joshtalbott9528]

@@moccasinmarine I’m sorry, I’m all thumbs. I had my injectors cleaned for my mercruiser 502 mag and one broke. A new one from mercruiser is 220$
I found them with the same part number IWP069 on Amazon from a seller ROP SHOP FOR 20$
Will it do the same job? Or is this something where you pony up for the mercruiser part?

[@moccasinmarine]

@@joshtalbott9528 if the seller says they will work then go with that. Anything that Mercruiser sells related to the engine is not theirs. They just relabel GM parts and charge you 5-10 times more because boat owners have money.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

@@joshtalbott9528 sounds almost like a ramjet 502.

[@carlosmay2951]

how you charge for to rebuild my 1989 Chevy vortec marine

[@moccasinmarine]

Email me at [e-mail] for engine rebuild quotes.