Here's the factory info on my boat. This info was taken from the Chris Craft Stinger registry. Says the 260's weight is 3450 dry. Which prop would you guys recommend the 21, 23 or 25 pitch. Also do I need to install a thermostat I do not have an enclosed water system just the pickup on the bottom of the hull.

1982 260SL Stinger
Length 26'4.5" 8.04 m
Beam 96" 2.44 m
Weight 3450 lbs 1568 kg
Fuel Capacity 128 gals 486 lt
Fresh Water Capacity 8 gals 30 lt
Color Options:
Ivory with Blue/Blue Accent Interiors
Ivory with Brown/Brown Accent Interiors
Ivory with Burgandy/Burgandy Accent Interiors
Power Options:
2-260 hp Mercruisers 1802 lbs 819 kg
Top Speed:
2-260 hp Mercruisers 60 mph
Base Prices:
2-260 hp Mercruisers $37,595

Are you sure you don't add the 1802 to the 3450 to get a total of 5252? If you pull the 1802 out of the 3450 that means you have a 26 foot boat that ways 1648 lbs? I don't think so....unless it's aluminum.

Take a second look at the specs for all those boats in the registry...they all start out with a dry hull weight then add each of the several power options. Since the 260 was only offered with twin 260's... that's the only option listed. Look at the 39' Stinger...shows a hull weight of 6200 lbs...then gives the weights of the different power options to add. Think about it...a Stinger 390 that weighs 3460 lbs with no power? Make sense?

If a 26ft Stinger with twin 260's weighed only 3450 lbs it would run 90 MPH and you could tow it with a Isuzu 4 cyl pick up!!

I agree with sprink. I know my boat (same length as yours) with twin small blocks weighed in 5400 lbs. Wellcraft never posted the weight with one big block but I would assume you deduct about 1000 lbs--same would go for you since your running one big block too.

I will post some pics for you when i get it apart.

Sprink, I agree with you, I don't know why I thought the 3450 was a total weight, (senior moment). So which prop would you recommend I use, 21, 23 or 25P. I'd like to see a decent MPH. Also do I need to install a thermostat? I do not have an enclosed water system just the pickup on the bottom of the hull.

Gator...21" and for sure use a thermostat...even in our warm water it will never reach operating temp and you will loose power.

Sprink the new motor came with a restrictor plate in it instead of a thermostat. Is one better than the other or do the both act as a back pressure device? Should the thermostat be a 160* thermostat? I really appreciate letting me pick your brain. I don't want to be doing this again any time soon, I'd much rather enjoy my boat...

I think it is supposed to be a 140*.

Sprink do you know anyone with a 454 Gen V or VI oil pan? I need one for this new motor.

I'll check around...Bill Flint in Ft. Lauderdale has a bunch of stuff moving through all the time. I'll see what he has and let you know. Check craigslist down here...if you sniff something out I'll try to take a look at it for you.