2.5 Chrysler/Jeep Motor

[redstripe]

Yeah, this may be a stupid question but I am still going to ask it...I am a cheap skate and am building a 16 foot skiff to run around the lake and to pull the kids skiing/boarding. The plans call for an outboard or I/O. People building the same design have reported "porpoising" due to the weight of the motor at the stern and have added ballast in the bow to prevent this (cheaper than trim tabs.) Due to the porpoising I think this is a perfect excuse to use the perfectly good 4cyl (2.5 liter) engine that came out of a Jeep Wrangler that is taking up space in my garage.
How in the heck can I do it? I got to maranize it and find a tranny. Any ideas?
Are there any 4cyl gas motors designed to be use as an inboard? I know that there are a ton of 4cyl Chevy motors hooked up to Mercruiser out drives. anyway to convert this to an inboard?

Thanks!

[redstripe]

Please ignore this post. I read further down and found the section entitled "DYI Maranizing."

After reading I am going to sell the jeep motor and try to find something that is already maranized. My wife will be incredabbly pissied if I blow the kids up with a poor job of maranizing.
Thanks!

[charmc]

Redstripe,

The decision you just made shows you're most definitely NOT an idiot. Going with a professionally marinized engine for a boat in which you'll carry your kids is a sign of wisdom (OK, you're a guy, so maybe some of that wisdom came from your wife:D).

Selling the Jeep engine should be easy. There are Jeep clubs with websites all over the country.

Let us see some photos of your boat as it progresses and when you're finished. Good luck!!