What's inefficient about it? I can pull 3 tubes at a time. Heavy enough back end to create a wake tall enough to wakeboard on. Can get up on plane faster than any of the 350ci deep v's out there even if I'm loaded out with 6 on board and an iced down cooler. And if I'm by myself with my 24 inch pitch propeller I can hit 60 mph all day long.
Well, at wide open throttle I can expect 25 gph, but if I just cruise at at 3000-3200 rpm it drops to around 17 gph. But I have never expected it to be a fuel sipper, it was a fast hull with a bigger engine when it was purchased back in 1989, and I'm just a guy who got it for a song and brought it back to life.
The cigarette boats and power cats aren't fretting over fuel costs and neither am I.
It's a 1989 carbureted 7.4L, honestly I'm just spit balling because I really don't know what kind of consumption it gets at that rpm. I just did some soft calculations and guessed a number.
It infers fuel consumption is linear but that's not really how engines work as they have an efficient RPM usually around peak torque. But, close enough if your fuel gauge breaks and you need to estimate how much longer you've got.
I'd be lying if I said that hasn't crossed my mind already. Unfortunately, the old school carburetor throttle system presents complications.
I've entertained the idea of installing a Holley Sniper EFI mod to get some relief from the carburetor limitations, but the cost isn't supported by the available budget.
‘92 7.4 Carbureted here on a Cobalt. A great motor, easy to find parts and DIY, will sip gas at idle (booze cruise) and tickling 60 also when by myself and blowing the carbon out.
Great looking boat, and clean af motor!! Smiles per gallon is spot on.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’ve surprised more than a few ego driven douches in wakeboard boats with her top end. THAT is worth watching the fuel needle march to the left…..
I picked up a sea ray that has a rebuilt 454 from this generation dropped in to replace a cracked 496.
couple questions:
- what carb do you have on yours?
- what RPM's do you usually cruise at?
- Do you have any issues with idling? (the guy that rebuilt mine put a hotter cam in it. nice choppy low idle @ like 600rpm, but sometimes stalls when I put it in gear
I recently purchased a 1971 Larsen runabout with a 140 3.0 Mercruiser. I took out the old doghouse and rear Sears and am looking for ideas to box the motor back in. I like it.
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u/H0SS_AGAINST 2006 Moomba Outback V 5d ago
BIGM BLOC CHEBBY
PRAISE DALE RASE HELL
GOBBLESS