2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

[mayraua]

the block and exhaust manifolds were cracked due to bad winterized. I took it to dealer and the estimate cost for repair was 6.5K. So I want to repair it myself to save me some $$$ but not sure if i can do it. Here are some questions that I have in mind and would like your help so I can figure it out.
1 - Is it easy to place the engine with a new/used short block? how much time would that require?
2 - Do I have to buy a marine engine? or any truck 4.3 L engine would be swapable?
3 - How much would it cost for the parts.
btw, is estimate repair cost reasonable?

My background: I have not done any engine work. however, I am a handy man in both mechanical and electrical. I have done some components relacement such as, alternator, radiator, tune up, brake, and of course oil change.

Your help is greatly apreciated.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

I am currently doing an engine tear-down, valve job, etc on my Mercruiser 7.4L. this is my first time taking an engine apart to this extent, I have done head gaskets, clutches, etc on automobiles. So, with that, here is my advice. . .

1 - Is it easy to replace the engine with a new/used short block? how much time would that require?
No, it is not easy and it would require a fair amount of time. you will need things like an engine hoist, and engine stand, torque wrenches, etc. If you worked on it nights and weekends, I would figure 2 months, maybe.


2 - Do I have to buy a marine engine? or any truck 4.3 L engine would be swapable?
Yes, buy a marine engine, since you are doing a short block. The valve train is tailored for marine engine loads, etc. A truck engine block may be OK, others will comment, I am sure.

3 - How much would it cost for the parts.
My guess , $3K-$4K. (parts, tools ,etc) The problem that you will run into is once you take the old engine apart, you will probably find stuff that you might want to replace anyway. So, it could add up.

4 - is estimate repair cost reasonable?
Yes, considering engine block and manifolds need to be replaced

BTW - I am doing a valve job, timing chain replacement and new manifolds & risers. I have borrowed some tools. My budget for parts & supplies is $1,500. I hope this helps. Good luck with it

 

[mayraua]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

Thanks for the advice.
For the #1, I don't worry about the standard tools that much since I can borrow them from either autozone or my friends (one of them has an auto shop). you didn't mention why it's would not be easy other than tools requirement. what I am looking for here is that any skill or specail tools would be required so that is impossible for me to get it done in terms of both ability and financially. if it costs me 4K, I would rather let the shop do the job for me.
Thanks,

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

If the shop did a completely professional job and installed new stuff, the price is fair.
4.3's from autos/trucks are not very different from marine, although the 4.3 had many subtle changes thru the years.

If you have no engine experience the learning curve will be steep and you will need things that auto zone does not have. This site could get you thru it if you are so inclined.

If you are a go getter as far as finding deals you could save considerable amounts of money, but you risk buying bad stuff in the process. The cheapest way would be to find a complete takeout, where someone did a re-power and stepped up to a newer/bigger engine. They are almost always on ebay. A change out should be around 800.00 labor if you can find a good take out.

I would call every marine shop in your area and put the word out that you are looking for such.

There are lots of folks here who have used an auto/truck 4.3 with good results. Other wise you are looking at some money for marine new or reman.

Good luck! Don't forget to check the drive for freeze damage!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

Thanks for the advice.
For the #1, I don't worry about the standard tools that much since I can borrow them from either autozone or my friends (one of them has an auto shop). you didn't mention why it's would not be easy other than tools requirement. what I am looking for here is that any skill or specail tools would be required so that is impossible for me to get it done in terms of both ability and financially. if it costs me 4K, I would rather let the shop do the job for me.
Thanks,

As Joe described, the learning curve will be steep and that will make it 'hard' versus 'easy'. Buying the right parts of good quality will be challenging, especially with many parts fron china available at a low cost, but inferior quality. Taking the engine out of the boat is a days work. Finally, keeping track of all the little pieces, parts, hardware, etc. and remembering how it all goes back together. Each thing individually, may be somewhat easy, but put it all together and it is a tall task. The short block will run about $2K, the gaskets will be $200 - 300. the manifolds will be $500+, so you are already at $3K. then there is all the 'little' stuff that you need along the way.

 

[mayraua]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

Thank you for all the advice.
having a boat, I want to learn how to fix things around the boat incase it happens in the future. have to take it to shop on every single little things would cost me too much $$$. having said that, I really want to repair myself. I don't mind to spend several months on it, as long as save me some $$$ and just want to be "kindda" sure it can be done.
I saw couple rebuilt engines on ebay listed around 1K-1.2K. are these good price?
Thanks,

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

I really want to repair myself.

That's really all you need to know.

Will it be "easy?" No -but much easier than you may expect. Depending on your boat and the access you have, pulling the old engine out could be an hour's job! Once you have it on a stand you can take your time and ask questions along the way.

Don't be afraid of a truck engine - it doesn't have to be a marine engine. You will be able to transfer your marine externals to the new engine. (There are some things you will need to do - like make sure you have brass core (freeze) plugs, etc, but those things you can take care of as you get to them). There were several differences in 4.3 liter engines however, so to make it easier on yourself, you ought to buy an engine of the same vintage as the one you currently own.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

Well if you have determined to make a go of it, the first thing i would do is pull you heads and intake and find a local machine shop to determine if they are cracked or not. It will be beneficial to know wither you are buying just a short block or if you need heads also. Also get a good look at the condition of your roller cam and lifters, rods and crank. You could very well end up only needing to find a block/ have it bored, buy pistons, rings, gaskets, turn the crank, new bearings, manifolds, assemble and be back in buisness. Sounds easy right.......

As to the rebuilt on eBay... though to tell, all machine work is not equal quality wise.

If i were going reman/rebuilt i would do my home work, get a warranty in writing and pay with a well used credit card. For me its Discover, they will side with me on anything cause i use it so much.

Anyone look at the drive for freeze damage!

Good luck!

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

The short block will run about $2K, the gaskets will be $200 - 300. the manifolds will be $500+, so you are already at $3K. then there is all the 'little' stuff that you need along the way.

and if you want real Mercruiser dry joint manifolds, budget $1250 for those

By the time you add it all up, if you want original quality, you're going to be 3/4 of the cost of this....just buy it and drop it in and go - 1 weekend all it would take and it's all brand new plug and play
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCURY-MER..._Accessories_Gear&vxp=mtr&hash=item2c5a16b799

You could easily recover shipping cost by selling all the bolt ons from your cracked motor via eBay

 

[palace]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

If you have insurance on your boat, it may cover it? Did you say you had it winterized or you did it yourself? I have heard of guys having their insurance pay for these.

Good Luck

 

[mayraua]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

I would like to thank you all. you're guys are really helpful.
1. The boat was inspected by the shop and I saw the cracks. So i am every sure that it needs a new block and exhaust manifolds.
2. The purpose of "fixing myself" is to save $$$. buying the whole engine costs more than the shop won't be happened.
3. I just have liability insurance only. Insurance won't apply here.
My plan is that I would pay a little extra to get an identical engine for easy job like Fishermark said. who knows, if i pick up a truck engine in local for couple hundreds, I'll take the rest money for my "learning curve" training lesson..
BTW, one of my friends suggested me that I can epoxy the manifolds since they're not gonna get hotter than 180F. worse case scenarios, if it fails, replace them. does this sound ok to you guys?
Again thank you all for your inputs,

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

BTW, one of my friends suggested me that I can epoxy the manifolds since they're not gonna get hotter than 180F. worse case scenarios, if it fails, replace them. does this sound ok to you guys?
Again thank you all for your inputs,

No... Not worth ingesting water into a new engine. Go new, you don't have to do oem Mercruiser. Id go aluminum and save money and weight.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

As for the engine work -- nothing will provide more help than a factory service manual for you specific engine and drive. It saves time, eliminates guesswork and the problems that causes, and most of all it provides detailed assembly and adjustment procedures that done wrong, can undo everything you did up to that point.

 

[Struc]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

Read through my thread found here:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=520824

I'm doing the same thing as you, although I've done lots and lots of engine work in the past. But hey, we all need to start someplace. There are also some good links in my thread to reference material about the 4.3l engine. They made a LOT of changes over the years.

Check your local Craigslist for S10 / Astro / 1500 chevy vehicles. There are others too. I found my replacement out of a 1992 Chevy Silverado 1500. Since your boat is much newer, it will probably cost a bit more for a replacement to match your current engine. You can also check ebay and www.car-part.com for engines.

Then, check Ebay for rebuild kits. They have everything from just re-ring and bearings, to just gasket sets, to full blown rebuild kits with pistons and everything you need. The full blown kits can be had for $250.

My suggestion would be to take the block to a machine shop (get several estimates from different shops - and get references too), and have them clean, machine, and assemble the short block. From there, you should be able to handle everything else (bolting on heads and other parts).

Then again, if you get a low mileage engine, you could probably just replace the core (freeze) plugs, swap on your intake manifold and fuel system, and bolt all your accessories back up, and leave it at that. Might be able to find a good engine from a crashed vehicle worthy of throwing in for $500-$800.

As was mentioned, DO NOT use your cracked exhaust manifolds. If you want to see why, check out the thread in my signature about my parts boat.

 

[fuzzybob]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

Welcome to iboats. Get a camera and take a ton of pics during the tear down....... you'll need them when putting it all back together. Best of luck!!

 

[mayraua]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

thank you all.
I just picked up an engine stand and hoist last night. bought them on Craigslist. just want to get ready for the job.

 

[Struc]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

thank you all.
I just picked up an engine stand and hoist last night. bought them on Craigslist. just want to get ready for the job.

Great! Glad to hear you are moving forward with it on your own. You'll get all the help you need right here - you just need to ask, or in a rush - just search. I still end up searching quite often. I'm a car guy, but boats are absolutely a slightly different animal.

Run to the hardware store at some point and grab yourself a length of chain and some grade 8 3/8" x 16tp x 3" long bolts (4 of them) and some hardened washers to match. You'll need them to lift the engine and bolt it to the engine stand. The length of the bolt somewhat depends on the engine stand, but around the 3" mark is the norm. Adjust accordingly.

As was mentioned, take lots of pictures - especially when you are removing wiring, etc. That way you'll know for sure how to put it back.

Most important: Have fun while doing it. It's an adventure, and you need something to do over the winter anyway, right?

 

[jwkoehn]

Re: 2005 Tahoe Mercruiser 4.3L cracked engine repair question

have u considered a mercruiser reman ? 1-3 yr warranty all new except the block they are a plug & play unit all marine parts no suprises I just bought a 383 stroker 350 hp An incredible piece of machinery priced a lot less than a brand new rig look at mercurys website under remans.