Repowering 222

[funsuncpl]

I have a cracked block on my soon-to-be project 78' 222 FF and looking to replace it with a 350 chevy sb, and while my local mechanic was working on our other boat, he was smackin his lips thinking about all the work he could do talking about how we should replace it with a mercruiser package that would run like 7-8k instead of a 350 rebuild $$$ blah blah blah, if I'm not wrong I'm pretty sure I can find a useable 350 fairly cheap, I'm seeing brand new blocks for 2.5k.  Thoughts on this, and would these mercruiser packages be a better way to go, I've never thought of that.

[fitz73222]

Whats the condition of your current drive unit? Whats the condition of the hull? Are you planning on keeping the boat? A complete Mercruiser packge for $7-8K is not a bad deal, considering the complextity mechanically speaking of a sterndrive verses an outboard. If you really love the boat and if your current drive unit is original replace with a new package. And while your shopping for a 350, make sure you are getting a true marine upgraded 350. Brass freeze plugs,4 bolt mains, double roller timing set, the correct cam. How are your exhaust risers and elbows?

[funsuncpl]

Currently the drive unit is fine, but I will be redoing the transom.  I don't mind the repowering price, but wasn't sure of rebuilding it around a 350 powerplant or looking into this other package system.