Ford V6 to Mercruiser Sterndrive

Hi, is it possible to connect a Ford 3.0 V6 to a Mercruiser Alpha/Bravo Sterndrive?

 

It is possible but not desirable. By the time you marinize it, change camshaft, etc to make it appropriate it will cost you much more than one of the commonly used engines. That is even if you get the engine for free.

 

Which V6? the old Vulcan or the Duratec? Gonzo is right about cost of marinization. Pretty expensive.
Sure it can be done but not cheap and a 4.3L Mercruiser will have the same output (about 200 HP) for less than half the price of a marinized Duratec...The Duratec does not need any change of camshaft as with the 4 valves it has a wide torque curve. The adaptation of the computer won't be an easy task, plus the many details (electric parts, corrosion protection, mechanical adaptation of the Bravo transmission, exhauts, cooling, etc).

 

you forgot 4 valve engines are gutless hence need their variable valve timing gismos just to be barely acceptable
Just rented a Ford Escape with a Duratec I thought I had a 4 cylinder under the bonnet till you reach 4000 rpm then it goes pretty well hence it might be useless in a boat as it might not get on the plane

 

Do not compare the power output of a gas engine while in a car with the same in a boat. A lot of gas engined cars are rather sloppy to save the transmission and tires, and to keep them very smooth to accommodate anybody from the 16 years old learner to the granddaddy, including the mom going to the hypermarket with the kids. The Ford Escape is made for these conductors. Google Duratec and you'll find versions of the 4 and 6 cylinders with some peps, any German driver would tell you.

Boats have not all the car restrictions (catalyser etc), you can put a freer exhaust, bigger air filter, and even accord the acoustic waves of the intake and the exhaust. As you have to change the computer ECU you can introduce a new optimized map of the fuel injection. That needs a good shop and mechanical competences.
The main advantage of four valves is that the engine can breath.

A marinized 2.3L Duratec without any internal change but with different exhaust-intake accord and ECU gives a solid 160 HP @ 5800 RPM with a very nice and flat torque curve. The engine can take 7500 RPM without risk for the valves and the engine. With a few simple mods 175 HP. With expensive mods 200 to 240 HP but the reliability is not for boats. An amateur rally engine gives 220 HP with just maintenance during a complete season. Also the design is simpler and more logical with the DOHC. Incidentally a 2.3L Duratec weights naked less than 130 Kg...A complete marinized 2.3L (all electricity, gas circuit, oil and water heat exchangers, 80 Amp alternator, filters, plumbing, first exhaust, cooling blower, air filter etc) with gearbox and engine supports weights less than 230 Kg. Add the battery and the second part of the exhaust.
A 3.5L Duratec like the Mazda one would be very interesting. The main problem is the cost, time and work involved, so for an ordinary application is simpler to take a 4.3L Mercruiser and to bolt it in the hull, and to live with its defects.

 

pretty poor for modern engines. you can use an old volvo b20 and get 250 reliable horsepower without all the electronics.