Help please!!! Engine replacement!

So the day that we all fear has arrived for me. Cracked block, must replace my Mercruiser 3.0L (for my 18ft 2001 Maxum SR). Boat is in excellent shape, so it is definitely worth replacing. I am done crying about it and it's time to get her back on the water.

Few questions because I have never had to replace an engine before (too much for me to DIY), and I have nowhere near the experience of some of you Captains on here...

My mechanic says he can order a new one for me, drop it in there for around $3200, which includes the new engine, parts and labor. I would like some advice on whether this sounds correct. I have researched this and I feel this is a fair price (little steep), but I do see new Mercruiser 3.0's online for around $1800 (U.S. Engines, ect.). I am wondering that because they're so cheap if these engines do not come with exhaust manifold, water pump, ect (just the block???). Also, if anyone has any ideas of where I can find one cheaper, and then order that and just pay him for parts and labor. Or if since he's a licensed marine mechanic that he will get a better deal than I would. (He's an honest guy, not family but I've known him for a while and he has an honest reputation) The engine is past the point of rebuild, but I am open to any "outside the box" ideas. (Remanufactured engines, salvage yards, obscure engine dealers) I also heard that "Flagship Marine" was a very good place to purchase engines but apparently you have to be a dealer??? Please, if you guys could just simply tell me what you would personally do if you were in my situation and had a nice 18ft bowrider in great shape but had to repower it. I appreciate any and all responses that might help me save some $$$ or time, I just want to get my baby back on the water!!! Thanks in advance guys....

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

Warranty? For $3200, and I knew the guy was honest. I would have him do it. Sounds like he would stand by his work and that is worth a lot in my book. You could save a few bucks I guess, but would you really? My personal opinion.

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

$1800 is a deal for a new 3.0LX. Flagship Marine sells them for $1750 but yes, you have to be a dealer. Your mechanic can get it for you. For that price, you're getting a long block.. which means no new exhaust manifolds. However, you do get a new distributor and re-circulating water pump for that price. You'll only be reusing your carb, power steering pump, alternator and associated brackets and what nots.

$3200 all said and done with the new engine is par to a little on the high side, but still that's a fair shake. The job is at least a good 6-7 hours depending on what everything looks like and at $100/hr average shop rate, do the math when you add up all the gaskets, motor, fluids, etc. I'll do almost everything myself to my cars and boats, but some things like this I'll pay a professional to make sure that it's done right not to mention the PITA of trying to cherry pick that thing in and out of there. My total cost for a re-power was around $3000, but this included a few surprise items like an engine coupler, etc. I would change yours out while you have the motor out as well as it's not an expensive part but an expensive fix if you don't do it now while you have the engine out anyway.

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. The more opinions the better. Mark makes a good point though. Besides the engine coupler, are there any other relatively nonexpensive parts that I should think about replacing while the engine is out???

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

If you have the money and this was any type of saltwater boat, I would replace the manifold and exhaust elbow as well. Don't risk water intrusion on a brand spanking new engine and you already have it all out..

If you do, go OEM with OEM gaskets.

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

Thanks Mark, Keep em coming boys, I need all the help I can get!

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

Few questions because I have never had to replace an engine before (too much for me to DIY),

Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... Just how Handy are ya,..?? How Big is yer tool kit,..??

Buy a rotten boat, with a 3.0l motor in it, 'n put That motor, in yer boat....
Sell the spare parts, 'n you can come out Ahead....

I see 'em for $500. on up, quite often....

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

I second Bondo

Cracked the head on my 1973 Starcraft Islander Mercruiser 140 (3L)

bought a 1971 Larson for $750 that had bad osmosis in the hull and stripped it and junked the hull

I got:

-a motor that was professionally rebuilt in the late 80's with only 450 hrs on it

-an outdrive that had an all new top end but a bad clutch dog in the lower end

- 2 or 3 thousand dollars worth of spare parts

Having two of everything is very handy when my starter went I had another one sitting on my bench ready to go and later while in the wilds on a camping trip the coil went south and I had the second one on board to swap in - saved the day

Plus all the experience you will get doing it yourself so when something goes wrong out on the water you have a fighting chance at fixing it on the spot - I had a buddy with a farm tractor to lift the engine - lots of great help on these boards for that kind of stuff!!!

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

Please look over your 2001 bowrider in other areas and make certain it is worth the engine transplant. Veryify stringers / transom is good. If so 3200 is a fair price but a tad high. The 4 cyl engines are super easy and can be done a 4 hrs if parts do not have to be swapped over.

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

I'm with Bond-o on this one as well.
I just picked up a '78 Sunray with a 120 mercruiser that puuurrrrrs like a kitten for $500.
BTW... OMC's 140hp 3.0 is the same GM block.

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

$3000 installed for a brand new, warrantied, perfect, 0 hours unit that I can depend on and build a beautiful boat around

vs.

Trying to save $1000 on a god knows what, POS, who knows what problems you're inheriting bag of mystery funk.



My boat is my #1 recreational stress reliever and key to my happiness on the weekends. It's something that I'll gladly pay a % of my income towards in order to assure that my happiness and my weekends are not messed with. I work too #$@#$'n hard to not.


It's all in your priorities and pocketbook. Choose your own adventure.

Re: Help please!!! Engine replacement!

Thanks a lot guys, I didnt even think about buying a junk boat with a decent motor. Bondo's always got some good ideas, Im going to look into that. But Mark has a good point, its almost worth the extra $$ just to have the comfort of knowing its brand new and warrantied. Although I really would like to buy an old boat to replace parts on mine, not so much to save $$ but to learn in the process. Like Darrin said, I just want to get to the point where if something breaks out on the water, I just might be able to fix it rather than get towed back home. That kind of knowledge is priceless... (Although these 50-60 hr work weeks might make that dam near impossible til next vacation) But anyways I appreciate the responses, and I'll let u guys know what happens...