Engine choices VP V6 or Merc V6?

[kghowe]

I'd like to gauge the formites opinion on the Mercruiser 4.3L V6 versus the VP 4.3L V6. I had two VP's in a Targa I had some years ago and they behaved pretty well. This is for a 21ft sports boat intended for wake and ski use for a friend.

What should they be looking for, corroded exhaust risers etc? Compression checks?

IMHO Volvo spares, although expensive, are not as expensive as Mercruiser parts?

Thoughts and marks out of 10 greatly appreciatedanybody. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ballena]

I cannot comment on the V6's but I have owned a MercV8 and Volvo V8, of the two the VP has the advantage that the water pump impeller is mounted on the engine and not in the leg, so changes are possible without lifting the boat out. As an engineer I find the VP a little better thought out, although the base motor is the same. The main differences are in the drive system, again my feeling is that the VP has the technical edge. Parts for both are expensive, however, inthe portsmouth/ Chichester areas I have found it easier to get good service for the VP compared to the Mercruiser.

 

[BarryH]

Volvo takes a lot of "slagging" on the forum but I've found the Volvo petrols tend to have less probs than Mercruiser In the circle of boaters I know.
The mercruisers I've seen all seem to have been raw water cooled whereas Volvo's have a fresh system which if looked after "should" save a bit of corrosion in the block.
As already noted the volvo has the raw water pump impeller on the engine rather than the leg which is better ig you need to replace. Merc drives are bombproof if a little agricultural. Volvo seem to have the "slicker" drive. Especially when it comes to shifting in and out of drive.
There will always be fans of either manufacturer, but the way I look at it as long as I can repair it at reasonable cost and its looked after then either should give a good few years use.

 

[DavidJ]

It's all about customer perseption.
When I was looking around to buy my Sealine S37 there were both VP and Merc around. The Merc fitted boat were practically unsellable and some quite decent ones had been on sale for 2 years. So expect heavy discounting with Mercs but expect problems of course selling on. Factual/technical data doesn't seem to matter, it's a perseption that's in peoples heads.
David