[bdbyrnes]

Wow Steve, you are putting me to shame with your efficiency; I am inspired!

Cannot wait to hear the funny stories about what was under the floor....

Hit us with a link for the stainless cupholders with nipples; I could be talked into that.

Post some pics when you get time. Thanks,

Brent

[mikeyt]

Ditto for the SS cupholders c/w nipples! I think Dudders was looking for them also.

[moondance100]

Boatcrazy, that sounds like you'll have a busy fall and winter ahead of you! I got a crash course on big block replacement this past year when I repowered my cracked 7.4L with an 8.2L. The 8.1 and 8.2 aren't the same engine. If your 7.4 had rectangular intake ports, the 8.2 will be a direct bolt in replacement. If you go with the 8.1, you'll have to look at different manifolds and other issues.

I bought a brand new GM 502 for about $5500 frieght included from

http://www.1800runsnew.com/gm12.htm


My 502 bolted right in where the 454 was....6 more pounds and tons more torque!!

Good luck!!

[Boatcrazy]

Thanks for the info Moondance. Did you keep your 7.4L accessories and bolt them on? I think my 7.4L has the small oval port heads so I do not think my intake and fuel injection system will bolt up. I am probably going to just sell my 7.4L outright and just replace the entire engine. Still have to think that one over before I make that plunge on either a 502 Magnum or the 496 Mag Ho.

Mikeyt, Bdbyrnes & Dudders,
Here's the link to where I purchased my SS cupholders. They look much better in person.
https://www.surplusunlimited.com/Mer...Category_Code=

I plan on removing the engine this weekend if I can come up with a way to lift it higher than the boat on the trailer. My neighbors cherry picker just will not lift it high enough. I then plan on cleaning up the wiring in the engine compartment while the engine is removed and moving some things around. I am going to try to plumb all the water feed lines to a single tank somewhere in the boat. My boat had a large plastic tank for the transom shower and two little soft bladders for the cabin and cockpit faucets???? Does not make sense but oh well.

I will post pictures of the rear seat removed with the engine in as well as the engine out. I will also post pictures of the cabin floor removed and the goodies I found below it. I have also been downloading alot of pictures of Mariah Z300's and Z302's online over the past year and could post them here if possible.

Take care,
Steve

[dudders]

WOW
Boat crazy is so appropriate a name
Thanks for the link to the stainless cup holders, My nice Aussie beer will be very cold (and cool looking) sitting in them thanks very much.
If you are ever in my neighbourhood come on by and spend some time on my boat, my list is no where near as extensive as yours!!
Welcome to the site, of course by now you are fully aware of how awesome and passionate all of these Mariah owners are - just wish we had some of the older ones here for me to look at buying - I have a feeling the originals are 10 times better than the post '02 models.

[Boatcrazy]

Dudders,

I hope the cup holders work out for you. I have put together a few other boat projects in the past. A 1979 21' Checkmate Entertainer bow rider that I purchased for $300 and sunk around $15k into not including my labor. I also purcased and am currently using a 1999 Donzi Z235 Sport deck boat that was a repo and have put alot of time customizing it by adding 8 Infinity 6x9's, 3 12" Subwoofers in a custom starboard/fiberglass enclosure amongst many other modifications.

I came across this Z300 on EBay if anybody is looking for one. I think it will probably sell for around 30k or maybe lower according to the listing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=004

Steve

[moondance100]

yep, the 502 justed bolted in. The only issue I had was the the new engines have no provisions for a mechanical fuel pump ( would have been same had a repowered with a new 454), so I had to put an electric fuel pump in it.

I had to have to carb rebuilt (weber 4bbl), other than that, it ran perfectly the day I left the boat shop.

[Jeff Barnett]

Wow, Nice boat!!! I want to see more pics! Welcome to the group.