havoc_squad
Senior Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
- Messages
- 738
I'm in the market currently for a used non-fishing layout cuddy of 21ft or smaller, which usually is hard to find in the outboard setup in the mid central US.
Possible, but hard to find. So, that means most of them are going to be in the I/O category. Do not want an OMC cobra or Volvo penta.
I've owned a 1993 mercruiser 3.0L inline 4 previously so I'm aware of many of the subtle details about I/O's.
I'm in no hurry though, so focused, detailed, and patient is the goal here.
I know used marketplace is the primary location where people try to dump I/O boats with cracked blocks.
So, mercruiser is probably what I will be up against and most likely the 4.3L V6 or 305/350 V8 of a boat year 1992 to around 2000.
In no hurry here, so I can wait things out. Focused on looking primarily after labor day.
I'm aware about structural rot for boats primarily made before the year 2000. I'll ask the details about that in that forum section.
Assuming I can get them at least to run it on a hose for about 10 minutes, cannot get out my compression tester and check the cylinders, cannot have a nearby boat shop inspect it at my own expense, and cannot get a lake test.
From that, what are the key identifying items other than what I mention below?
Brown water/oil mix after running it up to operating temperature. Likely below the intake manifold.
Rust streaks from sides or back the block or the exhaust manifolds.
Water leaking from the engine period other than hose fittings.
Steam exhaust (Easier to see when engine is warmed up)
The usual bad signs (connecting rod/wrist pin/loud valve train noise)
Shifting issues
Noises around the outdrive.
The going US rate for 4.3L vortec reman replacement with manifolds (parts & labor) is around $7500 correct?
Possible, but hard to find. So, that means most of them are going to be in the I/O category. Do not want an OMC cobra or Volvo penta.
I've owned a 1993 mercruiser 3.0L inline 4 previously so I'm aware of many of the subtle details about I/O's.
I'm in no hurry though, so focused, detailed, and patient is the goal here.
I know used marketplace is the primary location where people try to dump I/O boats with cracked blocks.
So, mercruiser is probably what I will be up against and most likely the 4.3L V6 or 305/350 V8 of a boat year 1992 to around 2000.
In no hurry here, so I can wait things out. Focused on looking primarily after labor day.
I'm aware about structural rot for boats primarily made before the year 2000. I'll ask the details about that in that forum section.
Assuming I can get them at least to run it on a hose for about 10 minutes, cannot get out my compression tester and check the cylinders, cannot have a nearby boat shop inspect it at my own expense, and cannot get a lake test.
From that, what are the key identifying items other than what I mention below?
Brown water/oil mix after running it up to operating temperature. Likely below the intake manifold.
Rust streaks from sides or back the block or the exhaust manifolds.
Water leaking from the engine period other than hose fittings.
Steam exhaust (Easier to see when engine is warmed up)
The usual bad signs (connecting rod/wrist pin/loud valve train noise)
Shifting issues
Noises around the outdrive.
The going US rate for 4.3L vortec reman replacement with manifolds (parts & labor) is around $7500 correct?
