How To Engine Swap a Sterndrive Mercruiser Boat

[@RogerM88]

Rich showing the boys at B is for Build how to properly swap an engine in a boat.

[@RogerM88]

​@@CudMcCuddlesexactly. And for the LS swap he will probably keep it mostly stock.

[@RogerM88]

​​@@CudMcCuddles Chris from B is for Build should kept the original Diesel engines, rebuild the damaged one. Or LS swapping with closer to stock engines. Their engines look too custom. And reliability with boating is a big deal.

[@mross302]

He should have just swapped a pair of cranked up o m606's in place. Reliable powerfull an cheap

[@RogerM88]

​@@CudMcCuddles for the type of boat Rich is building, an LS swap could make sense, because it's a smaller boat just for recreation. Chris boat it's way bigger, and was designed to handle longer distances. Where keeping the original engines or similar would make more sense, not only due to fuel consumption as reliability.

[@RogerM88]

​@@mross302 he was even considering EV swap it. But electronics and salt water don't combine that great. Wonder also if those engines will be reliable with all that custom job, as lower grade marine gas.

[@dappermanphoto]

As a marine tech myself this is one of the more proper installs I've seen on here. (Not saying this is absolutely perfect) but I absolutely admire the attention to detail

[@N-M424]

Agree. Not a fan of the drive lube reservoir being mounted as low as it is with the risk of the lube over flowing the bottle and the drive not be filled properly. At least there was an attempt at alignment.

[@dappermanphoto]

That was my thing too, I never actually see people align their drive and motor when i watch these videos. Other qualms aside, this channel was never meant to be a direct comparison to a professional shop. That's what some of the other people don't understand. Yes, it's a backyard job, but it's better than all the others I've seen (so far) on youtube@@N-M424

[@michaelnolen9028]

Great video! If you push the round black button in, on the bottom of the shift lever it will put the control in throttle only. Then you can get the idle up to warm the engine up. I didn't know if you knew that trick. Just helps with getting a cold engine warmed up. Keep up the work cant wait to see the ls swap

[@denniskoehn8489]

I think that's what everybody was wanting to tell him LOL

[@carsongeye1462]

Yeah, oh man that was driving me nuts! I know it's an easy thing to miss but still.

[@michaelreynolds1904]

Rich, the exhaust elbows you took off your replacement engine that used the short studs are actually a cast stainless Mercrusier and worth decent money. They don't make them any longer because they never rot out.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

They will go with the engine when I sell it.

[@johnpike9612]

They may not be actually... just took my elbows off that are the same size shape interchangeable ect ect ect and they are cast iron and rotted thru in the bottom seam of both

[@Texassince1836]

The roller cam out of marine 350s is the GMPP '395 cam, same cam used in the HT383 crate and Ramjet 350 crate engines. One out of a cracked boat motor makes a cheap upgrade for 96+ L31 (Vortec 350) trucks.

[@Kowyn]

I helped my dad do this to his boat......twice, twice he didn't drain the system properly and froze the engine, TWICE IN A ROW! 2 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!

[@andrewkrose12]

Might’ve thought you weren’t paying attention the first time. That’s what my answer is going to be when I do that to one of my kids. For. Sure.

[@tdotw77]

So he did it twice is what you're saying..... 😂😂 You'd think a lesson would've been learned the first time?🤷‍♂️ Guess not, huh? 🤦‍♂️🤔 2x is a hard way to learn tho, seriously.... 👍😄🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@archstanton9206]

Made me smile...35 ish years ago, I bought an 18 ft bowrider, owner had failed to drain it for winter, cracked the block. 305 Chevy. Wife and I were young, two young sons, no $. I pulled the intake and found the crack..water jacket behind the #1 pushrods down low by the lifters. Well, I got a rosebud tip, heated it up pushed the pieces back in place. hit it real fast with the MIG and put some JB on it for good measure. Put it back together, pulled the plugs, pumped and drained the milkshake, filled it with oil and new plugs, crossed my fingers, hit the key. No milkshake, and summers were never the same. Taught the boys to ski and board behind that little SeaSwirl. It was fine for the next 10 years.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Love hearing that, thanks. I was expecting a lot more comments on "bust out another thousand", but instead I'm getting stories of memories made with families.

[@archstanton9206]

@@DEBOSSGARAGE ...time..the one thing we cant get back. My sons are 36 and 39 now. Trust me when I tell ya the years fly by, Rich. Your little ones...won't be little for long, I admire how you prioritize your family. Our sons are thankful today for the memories we made, and they are following along with my grandkids. Memories you make with your kids are priceless.

[@larrydavidson3402]

Anxious to see this boat when you are finished. Knowing how Rich does things it will be absolutely perfect.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Thank you man, much appreciated

[@nbrowser]

When the intro animation plays for this channel and you see the words "Anything With An Engine" Rich means it!

[@ScottysChev]

Not that ill ever do this. I've often thought about doing this exact thing. Thanks for actually doing it!

[@ThomasMckay-dn4tt]

Great video , I enjoyed watching how you did it. Makes me glad that I only work on outboard motors. Thanks for passing on your knowledge.

[@K3NnY_G]

I don't think there'd be any greater gift than DeBoss making a full featured guide like this about something you actually have on your plate.

[@phattony9057]

Was in town this morning and seen the apache stroker at the Avondale and Andy let me and my buddy check it out and then took me for a quick ride around the block...watched the whole build on it and it made my day to get to see it and ride in it....wanna stop in and say hi some time with a med double double but don't want to be intrusive lol

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Glad you got to take a ride! We will be having an open house soon at V&R soon, thats the best place to meet

[@jeffreyweinzierl1509]

No fast idle cam on marine carburetors. You've gotta bypass the shifter and keep the throttle open to start it and let it warm up until it will idle on it's own.

[@jamesfoster6414]

I love how your talking about this like you used to do this at the dealership even though it’s probably the first time. Confidence is everything.

[@redlock4004]

You are right, it's all about family. Someone without family is truly impoverished.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Kids ruin your life, your old life. They make the new life 1000x better.

[@nickferrando9344]

Just want to say I like the boat content

[@lostkiwi2695]

oh man... the timing of this is impeccable! I just bought a boat... which I will also be towing with my diesel swapped truck! Love the videos!

[@mattslandscaping4246]

That's a good looking boat.

[@davevmey]

This brought back memories of water skiing on the Grand River. Pushed the boat out of the mud a time or two.

[@mattharrell4]

Turning wrenches, just playing and having fun with a toy, spending time with friends and your girls: this video has it all and just perfectly sums up (especially as a dad myself) why I love this channel so much.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Thanks man

[@danand6907]

You can rev the engine by pressing the button on the shifter, and pushin the handle forward. The button stops it from shifting into gear

[@danielsimpkins9662]

19:18 “I’m very excited a-boat this, not because I have a boat, I’ve had a boat before” When the Canadian in you makes it hard to tell if the boat is the boat you’re excited aboat.

[@loganfarmer5365]

my dad is a marine mechanic and has always tought me the propper way to fix a bot im very impressed how u did this swap. u did everything thr right way! always love your vids way to go rich!!

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Thanks man

[@jonunya3128]

love boats.. have always loved boats. nothing better for a kid than a rowboat and a 9.9 and a lake.

[@mechanicalelizabeth]

Nice to see Rich knows how to measure his wood. Great video

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Don't get me excited, it throws off the measurement as it changes

[@johnpike9612]

😂😂​@@DEBOSSGARAGE

[@pauldean8638]

That be sweet if you put in the supercharged LS motor , there’s a video with a LS fishing boat , it’s a much watch .

[@craigbomer8962]

This was extremely helpful. I currently have a small runabout with an outboard, but my wife would like something bigger/easier to fish out of. There's lots of good deals around me for stern drive boats with "won't start" or "bad engine" in the description. I'm too worried about trying to fix one since I'm an auto technician, but wasn't too sure what was done differently with the cooling and exhaust.

[@johnpike9612]

Dude most inboards (stern drives) are car or truck engines but usually built better for marine applications... if youre a true auto mechanic the the sterndrive will be a breaze for you to work on!

[@ericreinoehl4350]

Just got home from fishing the Montreal river up by wawa ontario, love the early fall up there. Boat is looking nice

[@TehParanoil]

Epic timing on this video considering my father and I just finished rebuilding our Mercruiser 3.0 on friday… I’m sure if this video had came out sooner we’d be putting an LS in and not having a boat for several months😂😂 Great video Rich

[@farmerbill6855]

Rich, you're a great dad. While my brother got the love of boats from my dad, I did not. However, I still have fond memories of when he let us ride in the boat when it was on the trailer. Not sure why but it was surely a privlege. Again, great dad. Best regards from Indiana, USA.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Thank you, that means a lot

[@martyh9309]

Rich, you know the definition of a boat? A hole in the water you pour money into.... 😂😂😂 Love your channels and all your projects! Keep it up!!!

[@tmacie2]

Nice work. I hope you are considering thru hull, or captains choice exhaust when you do the LS!

[@JohnnyAnderson1]

Know anywhere to get manifolds at a reasonable price for a LS boat swap?

[@robertjones3223]

The carpet 😂 on the ceiling to stop neighbors wanting a ride your boat had me 😂😂

[@nicholasprusko9590]

Thought my engine bay on my boat was tight. Fun

[@ericluitjens4256]

When will you have time to go to the lake? One of the hardest working guys on KZbin. Your wife has to be a saint. Mine would never stand for all the late nights in the shop.

[@FL.AirBoater]

You are definitely a master mechanic,,,, Like your videos from central Florida!!!

[@mattparoz4246]

I’m catching up on “DeBoss Marina”, It’ll be awesome with the LS in-it. Then she’s ready for Power Tour ‘24 🇦🇺🤙🏼

[@coolguy2339]

Hey Rich not sure if mentioned but you manifold’s are mismatched and you may have overheating problems. Also if previous engine was a 5.0L with a 1.62 drive eventually that 5.7L will ruin that drive. With a 5.7L need to run a 1.47:1 ratio. If you’re going to run an LS Later may want to run a BRAVO 1 X or XR Which is rated for 450-600 HP.

[@kevenhiemie]

I can't believe Rick didn't try and use his Milwaukee trolling motor first. I would of laughed at it. Build idea. Maybe someday build a tube buggy out of an old car/truck/semi inspired by a side by side. Small enough to have a 4045 John Deere Diesel or big enough to have a 3412 Cat or both. 🤷

[@carlsondavis9997]

Mercruiser also made it easy to swap between ford and gm engines, the wiring plugs and mounts all land in the same location. Biggest hassle is moving the battery and trim pump

[@calholli]

You should try fasting. I did a 6 day water fast and I lost 22lbs, it was crazy effective; and i felt fantastic. In that amount of time, your stomach completely resets and you no longer have any cravings at all for food. I just kept my food intake low after that, basically one meal per day (OMAD) and I went on to lose 100 lbs in 2 months. corvix19 came and I ended up putting it all back on in the last few years. But seeing you with your shirt off makes me want to fast again. You and me both-- I can't tell you how awesome you feel bro. You should try it. You don't even have to work out or change anything else; I drank a gallon of water per day.. and about 1 liter of salt water. The salt helps keep your energy up if you're going to be putting a high output of work. It's crazy what happens: by the end of the 2nd day without eating, your body will be in full ketosis and you'll get a huge energy boost, because now your body shifts gears and is running purely on fat burning. The key thing is to NOT CHEAT.. If you cheat and eat a bite of anything, or even drink anything at all other than water.. That will spike your blood sugar, and kick you out of the fat burning ketosis-- and your body with shift back over to burning the sugar that's in your blood again.. Then there's that 1 to 2 day delay as you burn all that blood sugar down -- until it finally shifts gears back into ketosis again. So don't cheat. Because that long delay is the worst place to be. Your body wants to run on sugar-- but you're not feeding it any more sugar. and you're not yet burning fat--- so you're in that limbo state. If you just wait it out that first day-- until the end of the second day--- it's so worth it-- once that fat burning kicks in. You get a second wind and will feel charged up.. You will lose 3 lbs every day with a water fast. you're a big guy, so you might even lose 4 lbs per day.. But for me-- I lose 3 lbs per day like clock work. Every morning I look at the scale and I'm another 3 lbs down. Which is so crazy because I took in over a gallon of water every day-- which is over 8 lbs. So I take in 8 to 9 lbs of water every day, and still end up 3 lbs lighter. the body is an incredible machine. I strongly encourage you to try it man. It's worth experiencing and learning what your body actually does in a time of famine. It's very interesting. Also, when you wake up and see that 3 lbs loss from the day before, it's unbelievably motivating. I hope you try it brother. From a fellow construction worker myself-- who ran my own crew for a couple decades.. I'll be 42 this year. lol.. Lets DO IT. I'll do it too. good luck

[@brandonrobinson8683]

Swapped in a 6.0 out of my dads old 2001 2500 chev pickup when my engine gave up on my 86 supra sun sport, works amazing. cut a few corners on the build to make it affordable like tig welding ls header flanges to my old 351 water jackets (ls water jackets are $$) Boats in southern Ontario if ya ever want to take a look.

[@mikehill9888]

Thank you for the video 😊

[@avrel820]

Amazing Rich can even fix boats 😊 Really enjoyed watching you

[@lucilleking7495]

Hey Rich, Not a bad boat , FYI in the center of the shifter/accelerater is a black button, push it in and it disengages the shifter, then you push accelerater forward it increases rpms without engageing drive, now you can warm up engine a little faster wirhout choke stumble. Gord

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

That's awesome

[@tg1929ch]

Hi Rich, when you get to the 6.2 build take a look at Hi-Tek manifolds. They are lighter and far less restrictive than the Mercruiser cast units, plus they add some important shiny bits to make it look the part. Being made of good quality stainless they will also outlast the cast units. Cost is an issue, but you will need to buy manifolds of some kind so its worth a look.

[@dirtlord5257]

I was trying to work out if you were saying aboot or a boat for a split second haha

[@lunarlancer]

I just engine swapped my Larson 228lxi. Used to have a Volvo Penta 305c.i gxi 190hp for a small block 355 450hp

[@mikemadison2747]

The Cat pulling the boat.. Beautiful! Congrats on 666k subs 😈

[@--Zook--]

25:38 YES YES YEs. When you get super frustrated, it's time to walk away for a bit. A hour, a day, a week. When you come back it will be so simple.

[@jacobmorton4940]

Finally! I’ve been waiting for this video!

[@sparksmobilerepair4025]

ive got the same carbed motor in my 74 almond boat and it does the same crap when cold. once it's warmed up it runs great though

[@kenmurray4232]

Looking forward to see what's involved with the LS swap. Old story told to me as a kid in Kitchener was to flush the toilet cause Brantford needed the water.

[@internalcombustion641]

LS conversion will be interesting, post lots of details.

[@sethcawthern3278]

The silverado in the background👀👀

[@AchikSarih]

Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tessierrr]

that bearing looked straight out of the box beside that little scratch 😂

[@traumgeist]

That boat is going to sound so dope when you do the Caterpillar repower on it.

[@dwaynepenner2788]

I believe the revivor you relocated is you drive oil. I don't know if it needs to be higher than the drive, but I would guess it does. Your tilt reservoir should be much bigger and likely has the pump attached.

[@Modlendingen]

Looks like a great time on the lake! :) Some mishaps is part of the boating life ;)

[@cadmonkey928]

that might be thick 20w-50 oil. that was the merc recco for my 1990 454 big block. i always ran the shell 15w-40 with the extra zed vitamins. boat motors can look "brand new" or pretty because they never see dirt or salt in the harsh on road environment, plus every thing is either coated or stainless steel.

[@nathan1sixteen]

It’s amazing how swapping a properly sized engine into a boat can be quite simple. If only another KZbin channel would have realized as much, they may do more boating and less swapping

[@ryanedwardson6541]

She sounds NICE!!! So, HUGE LS fan. But.... that tree-fitty is very fitting behind the F3Kitty and sounds.... freaking awesome! I'd say you're not wrong to keep the 350.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Thanks!

[@christianrickman4243]

I bought my boat cheap because of cracked manifolds and cracked engine block in the lifter valley, 4.3 V6 mercruiser, JB welded everything up and has not leaked a drop of water in 2 years.

[@mrjonas9657]

It's all about life and living

[@guyconnell2250]

I bought a boat 13 years ago for the exact same reason. There is some truth to the adage that a boat is "a large structure that floats into which you stick lots of money". But, as you say, I'd do it all over again for the experiences had with my kids when they were younger.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Anything to spend more time with them while I can

[@johnscott2849]

boat- break out another thousand. figured that out at about 20 years old.

[@mdelano]

The way the exhaust bellows looked and the top of the Y-Pipe looked like remnants of the exhaust flappers, that engines has been ran with out water flowing through it!!

[@ckgxX]

666k subs!!! haha well done and we all appreciate the content as always.

[@jxh02]

It's all up-hill with a marine engine!

[@FL.AirBoater]

Can’t wait to see the LS swap!!!

[@perryreasch1209]

ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO DEBOSS

[@coblass]

Rich! Amazing video! Your content is so entertaining. Keep up the great work.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Thank you!

[@TechOne7671]

Nice one Rich, well done again. I like watching cars getting build but watching you dick around with tractors, cherry pickers and now boats is just quality. The different types of machinery keep it interesting. All the best.

[@maxjones9139]

Thank you for your work! This is awesome content!

[@adrianspeeder]

Neutral override and full send the throttle to warm up.

[@FL.AirBoater]

Not a Ford man, But I love your F-250!!!

[@DonVDBorgh]

The people around you already think you are "A Crazy Dutchman". Good name for the boat as well 👍

[@dougnorton5143]

You should always put your outdrive in the down position before starting the engine . I could hear the u- joints when you first started it in the water. Then when you trimmed it down I knew I was right.

[@TwoAcresandaMule]

I used to work at the factory that made the plastic cover with the 260 sticker on it.

[@SamCyanide]

2:10 real life pro tips over here

[@ardennielsen3761]

emm... ma dad got an old wood boat in the shed out back, the trailer its on is burred 2 foot deep up to the hull in dirt. nice 15 footer, think it'd be good long as ya keep moving with the bucket boi...

[@theglitch99]

No shortage of "friends" when you have a boat!😂

[@zsolthajdu5007]

A true mechanic's playtoy, you have to have the engine room open to start it :D

[@danielfrazier840]

A 6.2 exhaust is going to breath thru that little flexhose? You may want to look into making a exhaust or even a marine wet muffler or 2 with the big rubber hose (like 4 inch) like a inboard (screw drive) boat. The mufflers are a big fiberglass tubes with an in and out both located at the top i think

[@tomursomanno8436]

When you first start the boat cold use the fast warm up button .toms boat shop.

[@ryanhunter7365]

The purple(ignition) wire on your old starter was shorting the the yellow red (crank) terminal.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

No, it wasn't shimmed right, but the starter off the 5.0 was smaller and spun faster.

[@ryanhunter7365]

Interesting, haven't seen that before. Glad you got it fixed. It is a common error on the 3 wire starters for the purple to contact yellow red and cause it to crank on ignition on only.

[@Rockport1911]

All that effort for 3 boating days a year in Canada, but a nice project :) Aligning the shaft seems pretty complicated, why didnt they just use a CV- shaft/ U-joint to have more wiggle room with the engine placement?

[@jlawlar]

thats cool

[@JacobYoces]

You disappoint me, DG. But dont worry, I'll be here when the day finally comes.

[@RichardLangis]

B is for Boat!

[@fredfranklin1965]

Is that a 5.7l VORTECH. .500lift cam and that's a fun time /engine

[@dozerfarms]

I run a 5.7 Merc myself, when they're cold pump them twice in Advanced Throttle but don't come all the way back. Leave the throttle idled up a little while you crank it until it goes. If not, give it another pump and try again, then controle the idle so it runs around 11-1200 till she reaches operating temps and it'll eliminate any chance of it quitting when you put it in gear

[@dwaynepenner2788]

my 4.3 is about the same

[@dozerfarms]

@dwaynepenner2788 Carb'd GM engines are all the same anyways 😅

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Heading out again tomorrow, so will try that. Thanks!

[@kentmckean6795]

Nice!

[@snocrushr]

Depending on how much power you plan on making with the LS you may want to upgrade to a Bravo drive.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Yep

[@jeremyjmailloux]

Don't fork around and slap a Bravo 3 on it. Everyone loves the $2k+ of Shiney Stainless twins!😂

[@adamformanack318]

Yeah I have swap engines in a jet boat before,its not easy .....😎💯✌

[@GRANITEMONUMENT]

You better make sure that alpha drive is going to be able to run your ls and be able to cool it,

[@estudiom142]

Lovely toy!!!!

[@hildablanco1591]

Put a 5.8 boss 351 winsor with Holly 750 cm with Mallory ignition

[@JBAutomotive794]

Marine engines typically use a thicker oil than automotive engines due to the fact that they will not be operated at cold temps (usually) but will run at very high loads all the time. Boats will always be under load unless at idle in neutral.