engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

[buggs]

I have a mercruiser 5.o with a cracked block. I have a 5.7 to replace it with.I am capable of doing the work myself, but have little experience(I've pulled my outdrive and done minor repairs, swapped car engines, ). I'm looking for advice , from people with more experience, on common problems to expect, and mistakes to avoid. Any help, from simple suggestions, to a step-by-step procedure would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[oops!]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

hi buggs,

welcome to i boats

first,

lets get this moved to an area where the motor gurus hang out.

second...well need more info..the year of the motor, year of the drive.....what type of drive, closed cooling, raw water cooling. ect.

third you will need a manual from the manufacturer...not a generic type

btw...it should be a simple swap

cheers
oops

 

[BigSteve1967]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

I have something to add to this persons post........I recently changed out my 5.0 305 Mercruiser for another 5.0 305 because I was told that the gearing in the outdrive would also have to be changed if I swapped with a 5.7 350 (which I had many choices of and alot cheaper than the 305) I just thought maybe this could also be answered so he doesnt run into any problems.

hope this helps in a way

Steve

 

[Fishermark]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

You don't need to worry about gearing changes. The biggest thing is to ensure that you are swapping "like for like." In other words, if you have a two piece rear main, stick with a two piece rear main, etc. It simplifies things. Also, you need to know what cam you have in your replacement engine. Obviously there are many modifications that people do to the common 350. If it is a stock engine from a truck, then you are good to go. Put brass freeze plugs in, bolt on the marine external goodies, and go boating!

 

[beninlou]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

i just found out about the one piece rear main the hard way had a cracked mercruiser 5.0 bought a 350 out of a truck had everything changed over except the flywheel and the mercruiser fly wheel would not fit

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

Per above like-for-like
Install new rear motor mounts, clean and loosen front mounts so adjusting is possable,realign after installation. install a second small bilge pump right against the transom(keeps bilge water out of the flywheel area, 2 inches sitting may be 6 inches on step against the transom),clean and paint bilge,
make any additions or corrections with the motor out.

 

[buggs]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

Thanks for moving me to the right forum, I'm new to this posting stuff. I will fil-in the blanks to the best of my knowledge. I bought the maxum used about 7 years ago, (no manual or any other literature for the boat). The boat ran fine until I got stupid and lazy with winterizing a couple of years ago. The engine has a remanufacture tag on the block, but I'm not sure if it is the original or a previous swap. I have not openned it up yet, so I don't know if 1 or 2 pc. seal. Alpha outdrive. The replacement is in an 88 Baja, 20 or 22 ft , with rotted stringers ( and probably transom ). I did not look too closely at the rot damage, because I was primarily interested in the engine. The engine was able to start, and ran ok ( no odd noises, did not stall, dip-stick looked like ok oil, not milky or foamy). I got the boat with tandem EZ-load for $1250.00. I'll get a better idea of what I have when I drag it home on saturday.
On the way home from seing the Baja, I started thinking of other possabilities. Like many boaters, I've always wanted a Baja. If I do a good job on the Maxum, and the Baja is salvageable,I could use the Maxum while rehabbing the Baja. I could then sell the Maxum to fund a 383 "stroker" to power the Baja.
Sorry to ramble on, but I'd like to consider all options before making a decision. All suggestions and advice welcome.
Thanks,
Buggs

 

[buggs]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

Thanks guys. 2 new replies in the time it took me to type my last page.

 

[tmh]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

Well, I knew nothing about this until I recently posted the same basic question for my boat - az 305 to 350 swap. I think many of the above replys assume you are just getting a new core 350, not a complete "drop in" engine like you are. What I was told, is that for a compleye engine, the 1-pc/2-pc. stuff doesn't matter as you'll be using the flywheel from your 350 anyhow.

I have my 350 but haven't done the swap yet. All answers I rec'd incicate it a pretty easy "plug and play" exchange.

 

[Bondo]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

All answers I rec'd incicate it a pretty easy "plug and play" exchange.

Ayuh,.... While you don't say what year the Maxum is,...
If it's vintage is anywhere near the Baja,....
It should in fact be a Plug & Play swap........

 

[buggs]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

Is the alignment tool needed to adjust the motor mounts a standard clutch alignment tool that can be borrowed from the auto parts store, or is it a specialty tool ? I haven't pulled the engine out yet, so I don't really know what the coupling looks like. I don't mean I won't know what it is when I see it, I've worked on many electric motors with rubber couplings.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[mkast]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

You need an alignment tool.
Find the appropriate Mercruiser maintenance manuals, (no aftermarket manuals) the time you'll save, and the questions it will answer (pictures are a plus) will make the cost easier to justify.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

It is a specific alignment tool. If you plan on doing any work yourself to this in the future, you need to go ahead and buy the tool. You can find them on ebay all the time for a reasonable amount.

 

[Silverado6x6]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

Imagine having this done to your boat!

 

[buggs]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

Replacement engine did not look so good when I did a compression test. Here are the #'s of the test;
1-155 2-160
3-75 4-160
5-100 6-125
7-160 8-130
I've gotten a few different opinions. One guy says to go ahead and make the swap, get on the water and go boating. Another says to stay away from that engine. Another says it is probably the valves, from sitting.(the valves that were open are ok, the valves that were closed might have a rust ring that can be re-lapped). I tend to think that once the heads are off, do a total rebuild. I also think it would be nice to get out on the water again. Any advice?
Thanx
Jim

 

[erikgreen]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

I wouldn't go on the water with that engine, at least not yet. Fix it first.

If your car breaks down 2 miles from a gas station, you can walk. Can you swim 2 miles if your boat breaks down that far from shore? Or do you have $600 for a tow?

Erik

 

[Bondo]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

3-75

Ayuh,..... That motor Needs Work.......

 

[buggs]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

OK. Scratch the "swap and go boating " idea. Does anybody have any idea what a reasonable pricetag would be for this engine? The heads have a good casting #. Does it make any sense to rework the heads and run the bottom end as is for the season, and do a rebuild over the winter? Should I just skip over this engine and find a used truck engine? I'm a single Dad(with custody, but still paying spousal support), so the budget is tight, or I would just get a reman. or crate engine. Aside from finding a wealthy woman, any suggestions.

 

[wil7483]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

Skip the engine entirely and go for the wealthy woman.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: engine replacement 89 Maxum cuddy

I'd get the replacement and do the work needed to make it runnable for a season... it might just need a head gasket or valve work. If that's the case you could get a workable motor in short order.

Schedule a full rebuild or replacement for the off season.

Erik