I had a 211 Lib that had 350 King Cobra.
Needed more motor.

502s have a better aftermarket, but I think this guy just wants to be one and done, and run this setup for another 16 years, so I say grab the best deal that floats your way.

That is a steal at 5k

That's what I was thinking. The seller is an owner of a company that my brother works for and is an honest guy. Just didn't want to get it and go through all the work and expense of putting it in and then find out I would be better off with a small block. I sold my Cobra 460 engine and out drive for $4k and if I get this Mercruiser package for $5k I didn't think I could go wrong for only $1k out of pocket. Thank you for all of your input.

I had an 88 Liberator 211 with a small block. It was just fine! But i knew that a big block was what the boat really needed, but loved the boat! Definitely put the 496 in that boat, its a great solid engine paired with the bravo will be a nice fit. The 211 Liberator is a nice clean,classic looking boat that always catches the eye.I'm happy to hear you have had it for so long..Its an ageless design that can't be replaced !! All the best with it.Sure brings back great memories!!

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That's in Baltimore. I would take it from Philadelphia to Baltimore through the C & D canal and across the Chesapeake. It is a nice ride and the Liberator handles the Bay pretty good.

I had a 1987 lib 211 with a 514 stroker. Got 69 on gps. Was def a sleeper when a Baja or something or the sorts would pull up. Lol. https://youtu.be/4yjAIar1yXY

Howdy,

I know this thread is a bit old and "stale"!

What did you finally do?

In 2006 I pulled all the OMG460 "junk" out of my 87 211 Lib and installed a 1997 Mercruiser carbureted 7.4L+ Bravo III that I got out of a damage boat for about $5K

The difference was nothing short of spectacular!

Go for the 496 deal, its only costing you a grand. the 211 is a very good boat and if it fits well with you go with the big block. don't get caught up in what the boat is worth to other people because its worth a lot more than 2 grand to you!! damn you are lucky to be able to buy a aluminum deep v 16 foot for 2 grand and that cant even compare to your 211. So its a no brainer get the 496 and enjoy your 211 for many more years.

I agree.

I only paid $5K for the Mercruiser and was able to sell all the OMC "Junque" for about $3700 over a few years piece by piece.

The result was a boat that performs very well, yet costs very little to keep!!

Licensing is only around $30 per year and insurance is equally cheep!!

The difference going from the single prop King Kobra to the Dual Contra-Rotating Bravo III was nothing short of spectacular.

The 211 was a real dog outta the hole (even when it was brand new!) Top speed was ok though.....around 60mph with the stock 460 + 20p 3-blade.
With the stock 454 and B3 it only lost about 3-5 mph but comes out of the hole like a ski-boat now!

If you had to pay someone to do the swap, it probably wouldn't be worth it.
And even now, if I were to sell mine, with only about 250hrs (since new) on the engine and drive, I could probably get a LOT more selling the eng/drive package parted out than I would ever get for the whole boat!

This is a pretty old thread........I was just wondering if the original poster actually made the swap or not.