Mercruiser 165 marine engine, rebuilt/restored, running on stand (2016)

[@guymanicone7921]

Gives me some good ideas on upgrades. Just given a boat with this engine that a friend was tired of messing with since he is not mechanical. I guess these are worth putting money into. I love working on straight sixes.

[@tadsworkshop]

@@guymanicone7921 it’s always a labor of love for me. Im never looking to profit off of it. I sold this engine, but I never built it with that intention. The boat it was in was junk, and I wanted to restore its heart, so to speak. In hindsight, just like a car you use to have, I regret selling this engine.

[@DJMasterMaxX]

How much would a motor like this cost today?

[@lenstar01]

Great video, greeting from DownUnder.

[@hdrenth6845]

I like your motor. Rebuilt mine also runs great 8 degrees ? Ignition

[@tadsworkshop]

@@hdrenth6845 yes I put together this engine some time ago, almost 10 years. I put a lot of effort into detailing this one. Went up to Alaska I believe.

[@wrestlingbelike19]

What tune up kit did you use ?

[@tadsworkshop]

I did this job years ago, but I just used the best quality cap and rotor I could find for a Chevy 250 inline 6. Sprayed the inside with WD-40 to combat the marine environment. I’m pretty sure I used a Pertronix electronic ignition kit. Find their digital catalog online. Wires are Mercury Marine I believe, which are absolute top quality 8mm ignition wires.

[@Tillerycuriousgardening]

Hello, my name is Patrick. I have that Same engine I’m having a hard time finding parts. Can you tell me where to buy parts for the engine? And where do you get the engine stand?

[@tadsworkshop]

@@Tillerycuriousgardening engine stand was a modified one intended for a typical small block chevy v8. It’s a Chevy 250 inline 6, so find a chevy model in the 60s/70s with that engine, and use that for sourcing parts, like your local auto parts store or rockauto. Mercruiser made the manifold, thermostat housing, and misc. parts related to that. Google “fel pro marine catalog pdf” to find an old Fel pro marine gasket catalog. You can use the part numbers from there to find the specialty gaskets related to the Mercruiser manifold system. Let me know if you need help with anything else.

[@Tillerycuriousgardening]

@@tadsworkshop thank you for the info

[@Tillerycuriousgardening]

Good evening what’s the part number on a carburetor?

[@tadsworkshop]

@@Tillerycuriousgardening I don’t have a part number, but they are all over the place on eBay. It’s a Rochester 2G carburetor model I believe. Does not have to be marine per se. The carb in the video is a remanufactured carburetor from Autoline I believe. You might try a Chinese clone of the Rochester 2G that is all over the place…but be prepared to play with it. I remember there are two different mounting flange bolt patterns for a Rochester 2G, so also figure that out before you order a carb. If you really wanna be cool, and budget was no problem, I’d personally have fun fitting a Holley Sniper unit to make a fuel injected engine.

[@Rogerfied]

Would you ship to western Australia

[@tadsworkshop]

I sold this engine 8 years ago unfortunately. Went to Alaska last I heard.

[@squirrely9415]

What fuel pump is that? I just got a boat with this engine and the fuel pump is bad, is there one that Oreillys or someplace would keep in stock that would work?

[@tadsworkshop]

It’s an automotive fuel pump for a GM 230/250 inline 6. But you really should strive for a marine one. The marine pump has a safety feature that allows the carb to suck up fuel from pump in the case the diaphragm ruptures. This is all to avoid having gas fumes settle in the bilge of the boat and create an explosion hazard. So bear that in mind.

[@squirrely9415]

@@tadsworkshop do you know where I can find a new carb for one of these? Mines all sorts of clogged up and I can’t seem to find a replacement or even a rebuild kit. Idk if it’s the same but mine has the “small base” with the hole centers being 2” by 3 1/4”

[@tadsworkshop]

@@squirrely9415 well…I’m just going off of memory here, but it’s a Rochester 2GC correct? There are a ton of new Chinese ones out there..you’ll have to do your homework on small bore and large bore Rochester 2 barrels, but I believe it’s large barrel you need. If you really want to be cool, get a Holley EFI Sniper, since they make a version designed to replace the Rochester 2 barrel. Otherwise, search eBay and Amazon for new Rochester 2 barrels.

[@squirrely9415]

@@tadsworkshop that’s where I started unfortunately. I thought I found one and so I ordered it cause it looked perfect, and then when I went to put it on the bolt holes were wrong, which led me to do more research and found that mine is in fact the small bore. So I guess it’s more research for me

[@hdrenth6845]

Sierra is having 1 for you. Aftermarket Carter. Not cheap bud verry good 👍

[@MontsGaming]

i just got a 1971 fiberform. has this engine in it. it runs but has a rats nest of wiring. i hope i can clean it up to look like this. can you come to phx AZ and check it out. lol. i have extra room. free stay and food.

[@tadsworkshop]

I appreciate that, and if I had all the time and money in the world I probably would. Cool boat, hope you can bring it to mechanical perfection. Some tips for your boat - 1) find an electronic ignition conversion. Look at the numbers on the distributor and look over a Pertronix catalog. 2) I found a PDF file online of an old Fel-pro marine gasket catalog. I used this to track down certain gaskets and seals related to the manifold and other things. It’s interesting to a note a marine head gasket has stainless steel incorporated in it, as opposed to mild steel in an automotive head gasket. 3) remember, it’s a Chevy 250 at the end of the day. Use that for your hard parts. I used an automotive fuel pump on this one….but understand that a marine pump has an added safety feature that prevents fumes from filling the bilge in case its internal diaphragm fails. 4) I found some reproduction Mercruiser decals on eBay. Put in a supreme effort and bring that boat back to its former glory. Best of luck.

[@MontsGaming]

@@tadsworkshop nice thank you. i appreciate the tips. ya honestly the outside of boat in great shape. no dents and minor scratches or chips. i might redo a topside coat but main focus is engine and interior. my dad has an old 62 stepside chevy and it has this same v6. so he said he would help me tune it out. because it runs. just needs some tlc. but yes I will do on ignition switch. as for interior I just became an apolsturer. lol. everything is shot. so im buying new seats. but im redo side panels,dash,and floor myself. its a simple boat with lots of room. doing captains chair, double back on passenger, 2 rear seats next/each side to engine box. maybe ice chest seat behind captain chair. people think im into deep. but bro i got boat with running engine and trailer for $500. lol. I stole it. and I like doing projects like this. also restored my uncles old camping trailir. lol. its just our hobby. .👍🏼