1990 Reinel 5.7l OMC - HELP

240drift

Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2012
Messages
6
Recently purchased a boat like 90% of those seeking help and unfortunately got hosed by the prior owner. He cracked the block JB welded it and painted over it. Good enough for 30 minute test run and the dip stick placement hides the "milk oil" Marina said the heads were in apparent okay condition but do not know until I pull them off. Now I know the proper way to do it is shell out 3,000$ and buy a reman OMC shortblock/longblock. But, that is not happening as I will never get near my money back out of it. If I can't do this I'll cut my losses and let it go.

I want to take off the "water accessories" and swap it over to a cheap 350 long or short block out of a truck. What blocks can I use, I now know its 1 piece rear main seal. I know I need to swap out the plugs for brass and use "marine grade gaskets" whatever the difference between automotive gaskets is besides the price. I do know that I will lose some power and long term reliability by doing this.
 

LAC_STS

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 1, 2010
Messages
895
Re: 1990 Reinel 5.7l OMC - HELP

Would you be installing the engine or the marina? You can get a new reman'd long block for about $1400. So if you can do the labor then you will save alot of $ and get it done for about 1500-1600 dollars. Maybe less I dunno.


But its also a BOAT. You are never gonna get your money out of it anyways,
 

240drift

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Joined
Jul 22, 2012
Messages
6
Re: 1990 Reinel 5.7l OMC - HELP

I will be doing the work, the way I see it is you can get a used 350 block for 300$.
 

LAC_STS

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 1, 2010
Messages
895
Re: 1990 Reinel 5.7l OMC - HELP

Yea. Would need marine head gasket and marine cam or truck kind of cam.

I rebuilt a 350 from a used long block I already had and I ended up spending about $1200 to do it right after all the machene shop work.


Maybe if you could find a good running 350 from a truck with the right kind of cam in it. Then you could do it on the cheap.
 

240drift

Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2012
Messages
6
Re: 1990 Reinel 5.7l OMC - HELP

That is the thing, i will not rebuild the short block and take the heads off my current set up
 
Joined
Apr 1, 2008
Messages
50
Re: 1990 Reinel 5.7l OMC - HELP

If it was me i would show up at that guys house and try to be nice. Maybe he will give you some of that $$ back.
 

240drift

Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2012
Messages
6
Re: 1990 Reinel 5.7l OMC - HELP

Already tried that route, but when a seller deliberately covers up a cracked block I don't see them having many morals. I am thinking 350 block 250$ gasket kit 250$ lots of time and done.
 

240drift

Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2012
Messages
6
Re: 1990 Reinel 5.7l OMC - HELP

As an aside, contacted the states attorney and apparently I actually have a case of misrepresentation. Going to possibly pursue this route.
 
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