Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

[Kevoz]

Okay, finances are in order and ready to make the jump. I plan to call www.rapidomarine.com tomorrow unless someone has had an experience that would make me not want to....I realize that anytime you purchase anything from anyone there can be problems from time to time. I just want to make sure that the services I expect will try to be given....I, in no way, wish to start a flame war, I have been burned in the past, I just dont like it and try to avoid it at all costs....
cheers,
Kevo

 

[maddog2]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I bought a 4.3L Mercruiser longblock from Rapido Marine last year. The engine looked like brand new, but the mechanics that installed it didn't check the valves for adjustment and didn't notice the one of the exhaust valve rocker arms was not adjusted properly. The valve wasn't opening and causing the engine to backfire through the carb. Rapido marine did suggest that the valves be adjusted properly before starting, but my stupid backyard mechanics didn't do their job and it nearly cost me a new engine. They also didn't install the intake properly and water from the thermostat housing ran into the engine turning the oil white and milky.

I contacted Rapido Marine for some answers to a few questions and I was told someone would call me back...they never did.

After removing the intake and installing it correctly and adjusting the valves, I had the engine purring like a kitten. The only bad thing is that the engine is losing oil somewhere. I have to add one or two quarts everytime I take it out.

 

[1ruralmailman]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

call them,
they sent me my 4.3 out in six days couldnt believe how fast i got it.put it together the correct way using a seloc manual for torque specs and such.she was back in the boat purring in short order,and growling when i want her too.i have not had to call for any customer service issues so i cant say what that might be.
good luck

 

[cpt ron jc]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

please let me know how you do with your reman from rapido,i am also looking to do the same 4.3 long block,my motor still runs however it is on the way out loud raping,loss of power,get someone who knows what their doing,check and recheck ,what other issues should be checked when doing this reman job,i plan to put a few new parts as well .cicr water pump,fuel pump,a lot of my tin parts are old,any old parts should be replaced hoses,ect,thanks rcc

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I just passed 200hrs (3rd season) on my 5.7L Vortec longblock I purchased from Rapido.....no problems so far.

I would buy from them again if I needed to.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I bought a 4.3L Mercruiser longblock from Rapido Marine last year. The engine looked like brand new, but the mechanics that installed it didn't check the valves for adjustment and didn't notice the one of the exhaust valve rocker arms was not adjusted properly. The valve wasn't opening and causing the engine to backfire through the carb. Rapido marine did suggest that the valves be adjusted properly before starting, but my stupid backyard mechanics didn't do their job and it nearly cost me a new engine. They also didn't install the intake properly and water from the thermostat housing ran into the engine turning the oil white and milky.

I contacted Rapido Marine for some answers to a few questions and I was told someone would call me back...they never did.

After removing the intake and installing it correctly and adjusting the valves, I had the engine purring like a kitten. The only bad thing is that the engine is losing oil somewhere. I have to add one or two quarts everytime I take it out.

Wow. If they can't even do something as simple as adjust the valves properly before shipping, I have to wonder about the rest of the work...

 

[Kevoz]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I just passed 200hrs (3rd season) on my 5.7L Vortec longblock I purchased from Rapido.....no problems so far.

I would buy from them again if I needed to.

They are capable of shipping a good product and making repeat customers, this is all the reply necessary, like I said, anything can happen to anyone on any given day....

thanks for all your help with this thread and the entire boat!
Internet forums.....PRICELESS!
cheers,
Kevo

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I have about 10 hours on a US ENGINES block that just swapped out. They claim to specialize in marine engines. Price was comparable, and I was able to add an additional 90 horsepower. My boat leaps up on plane now.

My new engine (454 chevy) came with dual sprocket steel timing chains and all I had to do was swap the tin and pit ?er back in. The best part is the US ENGINES warranty, 7 years or 500 hours. It?s a very simple warranty that has very few limitations. Shipping was included both ways in the total price (return was for core credit) Prices are right on their website, so there isn?t any guess work.

I went from a 454 (330 Hp) to a 454 (420Hp) and I absolutely LOVE it!

Good luck!!!

 

[Kevoz]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

Long block being built now by Rapidomarine, hope to get everything ready for the replacement next weekend....
thanks for all the replies,
cheers,
Kevo

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I bought a 4.3L Mercruiser longblock from Rapido Marine last year. The engine looked like brand new, but the mechanics that installed it didn't check the valves for adjustment and didn't notice the one of the exhaust valve rocker arms was not adjusted properly. The valve wasn't opening and causing the engine to backfire through the carb. Rapido marine did suggest that the valves be adjusted properly before starting, but my stupid backyard mechanics didn't do their job and it nearly cost me a new engine. They also didn't install the intake properly and water from the thermostat housing ran into the engine turning the oil white and milky.

I contacted Rapido Marine for some answers to a few questions and I was told someone would call me back...they never did.

After removing the intake and installing it correctly and adjusting the valves, I had the engine purring like a kitten. The only bad thing is that the engine is losing oil somewhere. I have to add one or two quarts everytime I take it out.

Ouch I would be so Po.d One or two qts of oil besides !!!

 

[cpt ron jc]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

kevo good luck ask rapido if valves are adjusted before shipment,i am trying to decide buy mine close to home and spend a little more or order 4.3 from rapido and save some money,i hear good things about rapido,its just pice of mind to order close to home,i mean if i had to send back for any reason ,all ship cost would be on the consumer,let me know how y do

 

[WELEPRO]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I bought my rebuilt 350 from Rapido at the beginning of this season. They first shipped a 4.3L, but after a few phone calls they sent the 350. Took a little longer with shipping engines back and fourth, but they made good on the deal.

Put 60 hours on the engine this year, and it runs great.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I ran the snot out of a 4.3 from them for a year and then sold it to someone else... never a problem, held good oil pressure, compression check all cylinders within 5-10 psi of one another. For the money, a safe bet imho.

for a 4.3, ask for a vortec, roller cam, non balance shaft bottom end with the newer vortec heads on it.. it's worth a few ponies over any other combination of parts... add a performer intake and 600 cfm edelbrock, tune it and you've got a very strong running 4.3... just my experience...

 

[Kevoz]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I have received my long block from Rapidomarine and must say I am happy on all fronts so far. It was a pleasant surprise to see just how clean, great looking bores, and the attention to detail they offered me on this block....Impressive to say the least..Thanks Rapidomarine, hats off to you so far......
I have only the alternator to mount and then try and fire her up and set the ignition timing, BUT, I have a thought for those who remember more than I about building an engine. I made it a point to spin the oil pump drive shaft with a cordless drill and a homemade attachment(quite ingenious for me) and managed to squirt oil up and onto the camshaft, my question is should I be getting oil up past the shaft or have I missed something? I did a recheck of the microfische on autozone and found nothing to miss. I just assumed that the oil would come out somewhere else, does this sound normal. I really dont want to pull it out again, but, sigh, I would if necessary(KILL ME NOW, PLEASE!, lol), I really dont want to do this again...Someone please put my fears to rest, I would like to get this boat wet again before the first frost here, lol...
cheers,
Kevo

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

Ayuh,... The oil can't go beyond the cam, til the motor runs...
It's pumped up to the heads by the lifters, through the pushrods...

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

Ayuh,... The oil can't go beyond the cam, til the motor runs...
It's pumped up to the heads by the lifters, through the pushrods...

What he said...

 

[Kevoz]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

Thanks all, my fears have been squashed....guess we shall give her a start tomorrow...
cheers,
Kevo

 

[cpt ron jc]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

did you have to do any adjustment at all,fire it up ,i will order mine soon,not sure where yet i was checking mich motors out,comes with oil pan and water pump for a little more momey well good luck

 

[Kevoz]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

I actually installed the roller rockers that were in the original engine, so, I had to adjust the lifters after that, very easy....Got here fired up yesterday, still dont have the distributor/timing right, hard to do alone...(hold timing light, regulate throttle, turn distributor, lol, I will get it, ran out of battery yesterday, too lazy/tired to change the cables for hot one)
I still dont have the outdrive installed but when she does run, she sounds healthy with the open exhaust....
Hope to get her wet this weekend! Thanks again for all your help and suggestions!
cheers,
Kevo

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Replacement engine from Rapidomarine...

Thanks all, my fears have been squashed....guess we shall give her a start tomorrow...
cheers,
Kevo

My 305 should be delivered on Friday, from Rapido, and Im hoping to do the install this weekend. If all goes as planned, I'll be running her up the lake soon after that.

The only problem I had with Rapido is that I had to stay on top of them to ship the motor. Other than that, no complaints. 3 days for shipping is better than UPS or FedEx