Perhaps a compression test would be a good place to start. Does it use oil?
Part of the decision is personal, are you looking to make this boat totally
low maintenance for few years? Do you take it great distances off shore and
reliability is an issue? Is the engine a whole lot easier to remove now
than it will be later? How does cost factor in for you?

"Douglas St. Clair" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately I have no idea how many hours are on the engine. It's
original to the boat (1970), and the boat has no hour meter.

Funny you mention that about the freeze plugs - I just got back from the
auto store where I picked up a couple brass freeze plugs. I've had two
pop
out over the last two winters. We're not quite sure why - this engine was
winterized using the same methods as a half-dozen other inboards.


"Lawrence James" wrote in message
ink.net...
The main difference is that marine kits will have brass freeze plugs. A
small cost either way.

A good rebuild will also include having a valve job on the heads, the
valve
guides checked, the crank turned 10 over and the cylinders bored. You
can
do the disassembly and reassembly yourself if you are handy. It would
be
good if you have someone that has done it before and can lend a hand.
Estimates for the machine work are easy to get, most machine shops will
quote you prices over the phone. You won't save a whole lot over buying
a
rebuilt though.

If there is nothing wrong with your engine I would wait until it needs
it
myself. Of course that does mean you will be working on it again soon.
You
never mentioned how many hours are on the engine?

"Douglas St. Clair" wrote in message
...
Don't believe so. I take it there's a difference?

"Gordon" wrote in message
...
Is that a marine kit?
G

"Douglas St. Clair" wrote in message
...
I'm in the home stretch of renovating the structure and interior
of
my
runabout. The one component that I haven't touched is the motor
itself.

I have a 1970 427 Crusader. What determines when an engine should
be
rebuilt? What's involved in rebuilding an inboard? How much
would
it
cost
to have it professionally rebuilt?

I found this link...
http://www.kanter.com/p30-fon.html#fo12

Does this "engine overhaul kit" contain everything for a rebuild?

Thanks