Has anyone repowered their boat with a larger engine/ hp?

I have a 89 Carver Montego that I have been restoring. \
The boat sat in a farmers field for over 7 years.

I put it in the water once 2 years ago, then the original Mercrusier 260 5.0 died.
One Mechanic told me it was a cracked block.
It didn't even turn when wrenching it... so it is completely seized.

Its taken me some time to find an engine.

I found a 7.4L 310/330 hp for a great price.
I have not been able to find a 260. and to be honest I wanted to put something in with a little more HP

From my understanding this larger engine was an option engine on these boats in the late 80s early 90s.

Has anyone put one of these into their Carvers?

What challenges did you incur ?

Im told the engine will or should drop right in on existing mounts because it was an option engine

Our Carver is for sale. A Manitowac, WI broker, will be listing this soon, so here is your opportunity to see it first.

In the water at Manitowoc Marina, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Excellent condition, very well maintained
Crusader 350’s 610 hours on each engine
New Ray Marine Radar and Chart plotter
Fly Bridge controls only
AC and Heat
No Generator
Fisher Canvas and frame (full cover) for winter storage
Asking $35,000.

Serious inquiries only please.

I just purchased a 1988 42
And I am looking for where I can buy the fly bridge canvas

I would love a list of where I can get parts

Also I really need to find the manuals

Can someone help me?

My phone number 949 400 5000
My email michaelallens@gmail.com

I have a few blisters on my hardtop and need to find the paint code for Carver Anthracite for a 2018 C43 Coupe.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi,

I searched posts but didn't see this question asked. I have a 406 and am looking for the AC Strainers. I see one in the forward bilge. Is that for both AC units or is there another one I cant fine? Thanks.

So this has been an issue since I owned the boat and needs to be rectified. Neither bilge pump will run from the continuous switch on the fly bridge and only the fwd one will run from the continuous switch on the lower helm. Both work on the floats. I’ve only gone as far as pulling the panels and checking connections there and checking the pumps for loose or unused wires. What next? Any ideas?

Hi Folks,

Purchased in March 2025. First boat I've owned. Lots of questions. Just getting started. Looking forward to participating in the forum. Hope I did this right.

While flushing my engines one at a time, I heard this noise coming from the transmission area. Sounds like a knock or maybe even grinding. It seems to go away or lessen in gear but the load on the engine is increasing, and the engine noise may just overwhelm the sound. It is hard to hear with both engines running. This was right after starting the engine so still cold. Also, I checked the fluid levels, and they appear to be in the center of the suggested range on the dip stick after the transmission and engine were up to temperature at 155ish degrees F. then turned off engine to check the fluid level. Looked at Android App for Fox Marine app for my Engine gateways and nothing seemed wrong but, the app does not present a full set of data like the Rinda Diacom, but no errors are logged, While I did not have time to do further tests, I thought maybe someone in this group would have an idea of next steps beyond the below "next tests".

1999 Carver 406 w/
1999 MerCruiser 454's with 1k hours Port Engine SN OL303934
Velvet Drive Transmissions, Model 20-01-005 direct drive - 2.455:1 ratio

Just spent 85 hours of run time down the TN River system to Mobile Bay AL 3/27/25 - 4/6/25 with no issues

One Drive link to Video file with audio.
vhttps://1drv.ms/v/c/9f1d79bbadce17c5/EX5EtKJ3xiNNhOo3y5MD_RsB4o8OY3Gn61kqTuyju5B8EQ?e=iu0HnC

My next tests will be:

Put on Rinda Diacom diagnostics software and capture all data to engine running info
Take the boat out into open water - Go below and listen while under way

2002 Carver 346
Just came to visit my boat only to hear an audible alarm coming from the cockpit. Turned out to be the Fireboy suppression system discharge alarm. I checked down below in the engine compartment, and everything looked good. Extinguish gauge is in the green. Any ideas why it would go off?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

I recently acquired this 2004 366 with a Kohler 7.3e genny. My old boat (‘92) you had to shut off shore power, turn off the boat a/c breakers, fire up the genny, after a couple min turn the a/c breakers back on. With this boat, the previous owner said I didn’t have to do any of that and can just fire it up and everything switches over.
A. Is this correct? If not, what is the proper procedure?
B. If so, should I shut off breakers on shut down?
C. When I do crank the genny from the dc panel I hear a loud clicking from behind the panel until the genny fires up. Is that normal? I’m guessing it’s relays that take over once the power is flowing?
D. I also checked the oil before firing it up and it’s red…is that normal? Manual said just use 10w30 and that’s not red.
E. Last question. Maybe. The muffler is a water lift and exits below the water line in the middle of the hull and I guess the rest exits toward the swim platform. With the water exiting under the boat, how do I know if I’m getting good water flow?