I am looking at a Cruisers Inc 32' express. It has twin 350 chevy
engines. One engine is new and the other has 1000 hours. The boat itself
is in very good shape for a 1989. I'm sure the old engine will need
replacing soon. If I buy it, I was thinking I would build two 388 c.i.
engines. This is a 350 block with the 400 crank. I get the torque of the
400 with the reliability of the 350. I would assume the boat should
plane a little easier. Any thoughts?

Stu

"Stu and Marilyn Wright" wrote in message
...
I am looking at a Cruisers Inc 32' express. It has twin 350 chevy
engines. One engine is new and the other has 1000 hours. The boat itself

1000 hrs isn't a lot of run time but being a '89 there maybe issues with
block rust out if it is raw water cooled and has been used in salt water.

From my experience with very early Chev. to Marine convertions, the crank
marine versions had fordged cranks and the cams were for solid lifters
rather than hydraulic.

If I were you, I would run it with the engines as-is until the old engine
requires replacement. By then I think you will agree that it is best to stay
with the original size since everything will be interchangeable between old
and new.


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

"Stu and Marilyn Wright" wrote in message
...
I am looking at a Cruisers Inc 32' express. It has twin 350 chevy
engines. One engine is new and the other has 1000 hours. The boat itself

1000 hrs isn't a lot of run time but being a '89 there maybe issues with
block rust out if it is raw water cooled and has been used in salt water.

From my experience with very early Chev. to Marine convertions, the crank
marine versions had fordged cranks and the cams were for solid lifters
rather than hydraulic.

If I were you, I would run it with the engines as-is until the old engine
requires replacement. By then I think you will agree that it is best to stay
with the original size since everything will be interchangeable between old
and new.


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

I am not sure about the spec's of the 388 but I have never been much of a
Chevy man. The big question I have is you did not mention the spec's of the
outdrive or the inboard. More torque means more twisting on the drive
components that may or may not be able to take it. Need to check their
capability.

Your upgrade to a 388 sounds logical. But If it is that logical why doesn't
Chevy offer that engine as an option in the truck or car. The increased
stroke means that the compression ratio will change so I would guess that
new pistons and rods are required to get back to something reasonable? When
I am at the dock I really don't care if the engine starts or not. I can
have lots of fun there and fix the problem tomorrow. When on the water I
want ultimate reliability on being able to get back home. That's just me.

Everybody wants more horsepower and torque but there are a few things that
an owner can do to help performance. 1) Remove as much excess weight as
possible. You want to enjoy life but you don't need to duplicate the living
room furniture on the boat. Do you need every kitchen appliance?2) How is
the trim when moving - is it optimum? 3) Are the props right?, and 4) is the
bottom and props clean and free of fouling?

Also, read the specs on your boat and/or similar ones. It seems like going
from 500 HP to 600 HP only add a few MPH at the top end. The view may not
be worth the climb.

I have heard folks say that a gas engine will last ~2000 hours. Its a
function of the running at high HP vs the requirements of a car. One engine
probably failed for some reason and was replaced at 1000 hours. It would be
nice to know why.

Have fun boating and good luck with your rebuilds.




"Stu and Marilyn Wright" wrote in message
...
I am looking at a Cruisers Inc 32' express. It has twin 350 chevy
engines. One engine is new and the other has 1000 hours. The boat itself
is in very good shape for a 1989. I'm sure the old engine will need
replacing soon. If I buy it, I was thinking I would build two 388 c.i.
engines. This is a 350 block with the 400 crank. I get the torque of the
400 with the reliability of the 350. I would assume the boat should
plane a little easier. Any thoughts?

Stu

I am not sure about the spec's of the 388 but I have never been much of a
Chevy man. The big question I have is you did not mention the spec's of the
outdrive or the inboard. More torque means more twisting on the drive
components that may or may not be able to take it. Need to check their
capability.

Your upgrade to a 388 sounds logical. But If it is that logical why doesn't
Chevy offer that engine as an option in the truck or car. The increased
stroke means that the compression ratio will change so I would guess that
new pistons and rods are required to get back to something reasonable? When
I am at the dock I really don't care if the engine starts or not. I can
have lots of fun there and fix the problem tomorrow. When on the water I
want ultimate reliability on being able to get back home. That's just me.

Everybody wants more horsepower and torque but there are a few things that
an owner can do to help performance. 1) Remove as much excess weight as
possible. You want to enjoy life but you don't need to duplicate the living
room furniture on the boat. Do you need every kitchen appliance?2) How is
the trim when moving - is it optimum? 3) Are the props right?, and 4) is the
bottom and props clean and free of fouling?

Also, read the specs on your boat and/or similar ones. It seems like going
from 500 HP to 600 HP only add a few MPH at the top end. The view may not
be worth the climb.

I have heard folks say that a gas engine will last ~2000 hours. Its a
function of the running at high HP vs the requirements of a car. One engine
probably failed for some reason and was replaced at 1000 hours. It would be
nice to know why.

Have fun boating and good luck with your rebuilds.




"Stu and Marilyn Wright" wrote in message
...
I am looking at a Cruisers Inc 32' express. It has twin 350 chevy
engines. One engine is new and the other has 1000 hours. The boat itself
is in very good shape for a 1989. I'm sure the old engine will need
replacing soon. If I buy it, I was thinking I would build two 388 c.i.
engines. This is a 350 block with the 400 crank. I get the torque of the
400 with the reliability of the 350. I would assume the boat should
plane a little easier. Any thoughts?

Stu

As luck would have it (for me), the old engine lost a rod bearing on our
test drive. The owner is having it repaired. Now it makes no sense for
me to have engines built. Are there any Cruisers owners out there that
can give me info on the planing speeds etc for the 32' esprit? I do know
the boats have a good reputation for build quality. Pending the survey,
I will buy the boat. This will be my first foray into owning a larger
powerboat. All my previous boats have been sailboats, except for small
powerboats. The only reason we are making the switch is I can't find a
home for our 42' trimaran in the southern California area.

Stu

As luck would have it (for me), the old engine lost a rod bearing on our
test drive. The owner is having it repaired. Now it makes no sense for
me to have engines built. Are there any Cruisers owners out there that
can give me info on the planing speeds etc for the 32' esprit? I do know
the boats have a good reputation for build quality. Pending the survey,
I will buy the boat. This will be my first foray into owning a larger
powerboat. All my previous boats have been sailboats, except for small
powerboats. The only reason we are making the switch is I can't find a
home for our 42' trimaran in the southern California area.

Stu

In article ,
(Stu and Marilyn Wright) wrote:

I am looking at a Cruisers Inc 32' express. It has twin 350 chevy
engines. One engine is new and the other has 1000 hours. The boat itself
is in very good shape for a 1989. I'm sure the old engine will need
replacing soon. If I buy it, I was thinking I would build two 388 c.i.
engines. This is a 350 block with the 400 crank. I get the torque of the
400 with the reliability of the 350. I would assume the boat should
plane a little easier. Any thoughts?

Stu


Saw your later about the other one blowing up, but recalled that a
dockmate changed his gearing up and switched to larger props.
Significant improvement in all around performance and economy with the
same engines. That may work better for you than anything else.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Jere Lull wrote in message ...
In article ,
(Stu and Marilyn Wright) wrote:

I am looking at a Cruisers Inc 32' express. It has twin 350 chevy
engines. One engine is new and the other has 1000 hours. The boat itself
is in very good shape for a 1989. I'm sure the old engine will need
replacing soon. If I buy it, I was thinking I would build two 388 c.i.
engines. This is a 350 block with the 400 crank. I get the torque of the
400 with the reliability of the 350. I would assume the boat should
plane a little easier. Any thoughts?

Stu


Saw your later about the other one blowing up, but recalled that a
dockmate changed his gearing up and switched to larger props.
Significant improvement in all around performance and economy with the
same engines. That may work better for you than anything else.

The boat does have V-drives. Changing the gears and props would be an
option. Since the boat will have a new engine, I think I'll wait and
see how it runs. I have a bit of a learing curve ahead of me just to
figure everything out about the boat. I do like to tinker though...

In article ,
(Stu and Marilyn Wright) wrote:

I am looking at a Cruisers Inc 32' express. It has twin 350 chevy
engines. One engine is new and the other has 1000 hours. The boat itself
is in very good shape for a 1989. I'm sure the old engine will need
replacing soon. If I buy it, I was thinking I would build two 388 c.i.
engines. This is a 350 block with the 400 crank. I get the torque of the
400 with the reliability of the 350. I would assume the boat should
plane a little easier. Any thoughts?

Stu


Saw your later about the other one blowing up, but recalled that a
dockmate changed his gearing up and switched to larger props.
Significant improvement in all around performance and economy with the
same engines. That may work better for you than anything else.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/