BoatBanter.com - 5.7 Mercruiser water in oil

On Sep 5, 9:57*pm, "CalifBill" wrote:
"jim" wrote in message

...

CalifBill wrote:
"Vic Smith" wrote in message
. ..
On Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:28:32 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Aug 31, 11:19?am, Vic Smith
wrote:
On Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:03:29 -0400, jim wrote:
I'd go with a complete OEM engine. And the EFI option is worth the
few
extra bucks. Putting old accessory parts into a junkyard engine isn't
going to buy you reliability or longevity. Putting new accessory
parts
into a junkyard engine isn't going to save you much money vs a
complete
new OEM engine.
GM crate engine cost was pretty low last I looked. maybe $2200 for a
350cid. ?Paid a bit more for an Olds - 305 I think - to replace my
son's smoker.
Don't know how that will translate after "marinization."
I agree with you. ?The hassle of old stuff past its time isn't worth
the cost difference.
You hear that ticking with an old engine and your heart drops thinking
about pulling heads. ?With a newer engine you just find the exhaust
leak. ?

--Vic
Where can I find new engine and *and what is the labor cost of
instaling it
Sorry if I didn't make clear I was talking about cars.
You mentioned 5.7 which is a 350.
Wait for the boat guys to get in their suggestions.
There's the "marinization" issue and I know nothing about that, or
install costs.

--Vic

Depends on the hours and condition of the current motor. *Lots of 1990
cars still running fine. *How many hours on the motor. *Just change the
head. Take it with you to a wrecking yard and let them match it.
What about the cracked block?

Last I saw, was just a cracked head.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Cracked head and block. Likely not winterized and froze.

A long block such as a gm crate engine is an ok solution. The only
critical marinization is the replacement of the freeze plugs with
brass ones. Various vendors have rebuilt long blocks at reasonable
prices as well.

I'd pass on the complete merc replacement engine. The 5.7 tend to be
well over $5k and that's just too much investment in a boat that old.

If you're looking at other details the marine engines have a slightly
different cam. Closer to a truck cam but with less overlap. Avoid
the hi-performance crate engines unless the boat is light. They
sacrifice some mid-range for more hp at the top end. That's a problem
for boats, particularly heavy ones where that mid-ramge power is
needed to get on plane and for crusing. I would go with a new water
pump and thermostat. but the rest of the bolt on stuff is probably
ok. Boats don't typically get the hours on them that cars do so
starters and alternators tend to be fine.

No matter what solution you use for the engine you need to take a good
look at the exhaust manifolds and risers. Unfortunately you can
easily spend over another $500 to replace these.