Hi,

I ran into a problem a few weeks ago, long story short: Water in the oil.
My boat is a 1994 w/ 350 MAG v8 5.7 liter engine. I brought my boat to my
trusty (i hope) marina mechanic. He stated that it was the Exhaust Manifold
and Thermostat housing. He said that, probably before i had the boat, it
was in salt water alot (which it was) and rotted through. I trust him
because before he started any work he said it could be a cracked block and a
few other things, but the best case would be exhaust manifold (cheapest of
them all, eventhough i found out his version of cheap isn't the same as
mine). He gave me a price of $1600 for total repair (includes $640 for NEW
exhaust manifold, approx 400 for housing, 2-3 oil changes (to make sure no
more water), labor) he said i could save about $300 if he finds a used
manifold, so that's what I'm hoping.

Anyone have any insight on this? Reasonable price?

Thanks!

Would that be replacing both manifolds and risers? You need to replace it
all.

"Matt" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I ran into a problem a few weeks ago, long story short: Water in the oil.
My boat is a 1994 w/ 350 MAG v8 5.7 liter engine. I brought my boat to my
trusty (i hope) marina mechanic. He stated that it was the Exhaust
Manifold
and Thermostat housing. He said that, probably before i had the boat, it
was in salt water alot (which it was) and rotted through. I trust him
because before he started any work he said it could be a cracked block and
a
few other things, but the best case would be exhaust manifold (cheapest of
them all, eventhough i found out his version of cheap isn't the same as
mine). He gave me a price of $1600 for total repair (includes $640 for
NEW
exhaust manifold, approx 400 for housing, 2-3 oil changes (to make sure no
more water), labor) he said i could save about $300 if he finds a used
manifold, so that's what I'm hoping.

Anyone have any insight on this? Reasonable price?

Thanks!

I'm not sure... Basically the mechanic said Exhaust Manifold was $640 new.
Looking at the Mercruiser site. 1 exhaust manifold is approx $170 an
Exhaust Elbox Assemby is about $150 and a Riser Extension Kit is about $175.
Should I confirm with the Marina if he is replacing all? Also usually do
they replace both Manifolds?





"Lawrence James" wrote in message
nk.net...
Would that be replacing both manifolds and risers? You need to replace it
all.

"Matt" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I ran into a problem a few weeks ago, long story short: Water in the
oil.
My boat is a 1994 w/ 350 MAG v8 5.7 liter engine. I brought my boat to
my
trusty (i hope) marina mechanic. He stated that it was the Exhaust
Manifold
and Thermostat housing. He said that, probably before i had the boat,
it
was in salt water alot (which it was) and rotted through. I trust him
because before he started any work he said it could be a cracked block
and
a
few other things, but the best case would be exhaust manifold (cheapest
of
them all, eventhough i found out his version of cheap isn't the same as
mine). He gave me a price of $1600 for total repair (includes $640 for
NEW
exhaust manifold, approx 400 for housing, 2-3 oil changes (to make sure
no
more water), labor) he said i could save about $300 if he finds a used
manifold, so that's what I'm hoping.

Anyone have any insight on this? Reasonable price?

Thanks!

Sorry it was the INTAKE MANIFOLD... Same question goes for INTAKE MANIFOLD:

I ran into a problem a few weeks ago, long story short: Water in the oil.
My boat is a 1994 w/ 350 MAG v8 5.7 liter engine. I brought my boat to my
trusty (i hope) marina mechanic. He stated that it was the Intake Manifold
and Thermostat housing. He said that, probably before i had the boat, it
was in salt water alot (which it was) and rotted through. I trust him
because before he started any work he said it could be a cracked block and a
few other things, but the best case would be intake manifold (cheapest of
them all, eventhough i found out his version of cheap isn't the same as
mine). He gave me a price of $1600 for total repair (includes $640 for NEW
exhaust manifold, approx 400 for housing, 2-3 oil changes (to make sure no
more water), labor) he said i could save about $300 if he finds a used
manifold, so that's what I'm hoping.

"Lawrence James" wrote in message
nk.net...
Would that be replacing both manifolds and risers? You need to replace it
all.

"Matt" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I ran into a problem a few weeks ago, long story short: Water in the
oil.
My boat is a 1994 w/ 350 MAG v8 5.7 liter engine. I brought my boat to
my
trusty (i hope) marina mechanic. He stated that it was the Exhaust
Manifold
and Thermostat housing. He said that, probably before i had the boat,
it
was in salt water alot (which it was) and rotted through. I trust him
because before he started any work he said it could be a cracked block
and
a
few other things, but the best case would be exhaust manifold (cheapest
of
them all, eventhough i found out his version of cheap isn't the same as
mine). He gave me a price of $1600 for total repair (includes $640 for
NEW
exhaust manifold, approx 400 for housing, 2-3 oil changes (to make sure
no
more water), labor) he said i could save about $300 if he finds a used
manifold, so that's what I'm hoping.

Anyone have any insight on this? Reasonable price?

Thanks!

INTAKE manifold rotted??? Thats a new one. Exhaust Risers yes, intake
no. I've never seen a stat housing rot either. If these boat has lots of
hours on it, maybe, but I've seen 1000+ hour salt water boats and they
have never had a problem with the intake or Stat housing.


"Matt" wrote in message
...
Sorry it was the INTAKE MANIFOLD... Same question goes for INTAKE
MANIFOLD:

I ran into a problem a few weeks ago, long story short: Water in the
oil.
My boat is a 1994 w/ 350 MAG v8 5.7 liter engine. I brought my boat to
my
trusty (i hope) marina mechanic. He stated that it was the Intake
Manifold
and Thermostat housing. He said that, probably before i had the boat,
it
was in salt water alot (which it was) and rotted through. I trust him
because before he started any work he said it could be a cracked block
and a
few other things, but the best case would be intake manifold (cheapest
of
them all, eventhough i found out his version of cheap isn't the same as
mine). He gave me a price of $1600 for total repair (includes $640 for
NEW
exhaust manifold, approx 400 for housing, 2-3 oil changes (to make sure
no
more water), labor) he said i could save about $300 if he finds a used
manifold, so that's what I'm hoping.

I've had a 'stat housing rot on cars. But $400 for a 'stat housing seems
way excessive. More like about 5-15 bucks would be my guess.
Bill

"Doug Meredith" wrote in message
...
INTAKE manifold rotted??? Thats a new one. Exhaust Risers yes, intake
no. I've never seen a stat housing rot either. If these boat has lots of
hours on it, maybe, but I've seen 1000+ hour salt water boats and they
have never had a problem with the intake or Stat housing.


"Matt" wrote in message
...
Sorry it was the INTAKE MANIFOLD... Same question goes for INTAKE
MANIFOLD:

I ran into a problem a few weeks ago, long story short: Water in the
oil.
My boat is a 1994 w/ 350 MAG v8 5.7 liter engine. I brought my boat to
my
trusty (i hope) marina mechanic. He stated that it was the Intake
Manifold
and Thermostat housing. He said that, probably before i had the boat,
it
was in salt water alot (which it was) and rotted through. I trust him
because before he started any work he said it could be a cracked block
and a
few other things, but the best case would be intake manifold (cheapest
of
them all, eventhough i found out his version of cheap isn't the same as
mine). He gave me a price of $1600 for total repair (includes $640 for
NEW
exhaust manifold, approx 400 for housing, 2-3 oil changes (to make sure
no
more water), labor) he said i could save about $300 if he finds a used
manifold, so that's what I'm hoping.

Merc thermostat housings are pretty complicated. I'd not be surprised if
it's close to $100 new from merc but $400 is out of line. If the job is
just to replace the intake and thermostat housing it too much. That's not a
hard job. And both those parts are readily available used. In fact many
marine shops have some laying around. As you pointed out neither go bad
often. I've seen them 20 years old still fine.

Matt, are you sure what work is happening here? First you thought it was
the exhaust, now it's the intake. For $1600 either you are paying a lot or
there is more involved here than we are hearing about. Intake replacement
is about a 4 hour job on a v8. Thermostat housing is on top of the intake
so no extra time to do it.

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
ink.net...
I've had a 'stat housing rot on cars. But $400 for a 'stat housing seems
way excessive. More like about 5-15 bucks would be my guess.
Bill

"Doug Meredith" wrote in message
...
INTAKE manifold rotted??? Thats a new one. Exhaust Risers yes, intake
no. I've never seen a stat housing rot either. If these boat has lots
of
hours on it, maybe, but I've seen 1000+ hour salt water boats and they
have never had a problem with the intake or Stat housing.


"Matt" wrote in message
...
Sorry it was the INTAKE MANIFOLD... Same question goes for INTAKE
MANIFOLD:

I ran into a problem a few weeks ago, long story short: Water in the
oil.
My boat is a 1994 w/ 350 MAG v8 5.7 liter engine. I brought my boat
to
my
trusty (i hope) marina mechanic. He stated that it was the Intake
Manifold
and Thermostat housing. He said that, probably before i had the boat,
it
was in salt water alot (which it was) and rotted through. I trust him
because before he started any work he said it could be a cracked block
and a
few other things, but the best case would be intake manifold (cheapest
of
them all, eventhough i found out his version of cheap isn't the same
as
mine). He gave me a price of $1600 for total repair (includes $640
for
NEW
exhaust manifold, approx 400 for housing, 2-3 oil changes (to make
sure
no
more water), labor) he said i could save about $300 if he finds a
used
manifold, so that's what I'm hoping.

"Lawrence James" wrote in message
ink.net...
Merc thermostat housings are pretty complicated. I'd not be surprised
if
it's close to $100 new from merc but $400 is out of line. If the job is
just to replace the intake and thermostat housing it too much. That's
not a
hard job. And both those parts are readily available used. In fact
many
marine shops have some laying around. As you pointed out neither go bad
often. I've seen them 20 years old still fine.

Matt, are you sure what work is happening here? First you thought it
was
the exhaust, now it's the intake. For $1600 either you are paying a lot
or
there is more involved here than we are hearing about. Intake
replacement
is about a 4 hour job on a v8. Thermostat housing is on top of the
intake
so no extra time to do it.


Intake manifold for 350 Mag 4bbl $637
thermostat housing depending on what one you have-$130-$300
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selec...doc_nbr=816596

Time to R & R intake as Lawrence said is no more than 4 hours @ $80 =$320
Parts Worst case $900
Oil/Filter changes $75

Total $1295

and I don't think you are using the expensive housing, as its an old one,
so its probably $200 less, so say $1100. Where is he coming up with the
other $500??? Get something in WRITING from the mechanic, and then post
what it says. Ask for part numbers, and you can go to the link I gave
you, and compare them. PLus IF, and thats a big IF it needs an intake,
used one are all over the place.

Wow, I had no idea merc wanted that much for a factory intake. I think you
can get an aftermarket aluminum intake with a bronze lined water jacket for
less than that. I'd try pretty hard to hunt up a used one for that price.

"Doug Meredith" wrote in message
...

"Lawrence James" wrote in message
ink.net...
Merc thermostat housings are pretty complicated. I'd not be surprised
if
it's close to $100 new from merc but $400 is out of line. If the job is
just to replace the intake and thermostat housing it too much. That's
not a
hard job. And both those parts are readily available used. In fact
many
marine shops have some laying around. As you pointed out neither go bad
often. I've seen them 20 years old still fine.

Matt, are you sure what work is happening here? First you thought it
was
the exhaust, now it's the intake. For $1600 either you are paying a lot
or
there is more involved here than we are hearing about. Intake
replacement
is about a 4 hour job on a v8. Thermostat housing is on top of the
intake
so no extra time to do it.


Intake manifold for 350 Mag 4bbl $637
thermostat housing depending on what one you have-$130-$300
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selec...doc_nbr=816596

Time to R & R intake as Lawrence said is no more than 4 hours @ $80 =$320
Parts Worst case $900
Oil/Filter changes $75

Total $1295

and I don't think you are using the expensive housing, as its an old one,
so its probably $200 less, so say $1100. Where is he coming up with the
other $500??? Get something in WRITING from the mechanic, and then post
what it says. Ask for part numbers, and you can go to the link I gave
you, and compare them. PLus IF, and thats a big IF it needs an intake,
used one are all over the place.