Tear down, back to basics

[Peter Schalck]

I have a question for the group... My buddy was just given a newer Penta 380, pretty slick looking mill! However, it's way overkill and he is old school, like myself, currently running a Ford 300 inline 6. Easy! (except for finding parts) My question is, a block is a block once you get down to the core/long block, so why can't he remove all of the newer and expensive technology, throw on a new intake manifold and 4 bbl carb and D.U.I distributor so it becomes a "regular" old engine?

Yes, I know it sounds absurd... who the F would want to reduce HP and efficiency. Well, that's not an issue. even if he ends up with 280-300 hp, it's more than enough for this boat and the headaches of new technology is gone.

Seems like selling the parts from this engine would certainly cover the costs of buying all of the new parts needed and someone would get a decent deal on practically new parts from this engine. Cripes, the manifolds alone are over $1,500 bucks a piece. Shift motor, $1,000.. and so on... F that!

In no way is my intent end to offend those who run these, they look and probably are awesome. Just curious if it can be done.

 

[racerone]

Have to agree.---Friend runs a seasonal marina and said , manufacturers know that motors have gotten too complicated.-----Small shops can no longer afford to keep spare parts , training , tools and the mechanic to repair these things.------They run nice when they run.

 

[louc]

Agreed. My brother bought a 2020 Chapparal with a Merc 4.5 V6 (really Merc's re-fresh of the old GM 4.3 design). It starts and runs great but when it needs repair eventually, a real headache. Parts are very expensive, the cooling system alone is a rat's nest of hoses, plastic fittings, clamps, going everywhere. Then there's the worst part, the cat converter exhaust. This is why I kept my old boat. Yes, it is a pain sometimes, no easy drain or remote oil filter but everything is simple, relatively easily repaired, by a back yard mechanic. I tried this time but next time he buys a boat I will try even harder to push him to get an outboard next time. Inboards & I/Os have gotten so complex and parts cost has gone up so much that the high cost of outboards is not really the issue it once was, not to me at least.
As for me I am happy to stick with a Prestolite points distributor and a Rochester Quadrajet with a Carter mechanical fuel pump!

 

[makomark]

As long as you know what you are doing, going old school should be just fine.

Some of the newer blocks wont support all of the older options...just take it in small chunks and he should be fine...

 

[o2batsea]

I can't see any value in removing anything if it is currently running properly and is up to date with maintenance. Maybe if something super expensive goes south, it would be cheaper to retrofit the older systems. I doubt it will happen. Modern engines are far less prone to failure even tho they seem far more complicated. I'll take fuel injection over a carburetor for reliability and operation. If your buddy thinks it's too much, sell it on.
"headaches of new technology..." that's funny, the new technology solves the problems of the old technology.