New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

[LuvBoating]

After buying our '92 Celebrity 200 Cuddy in March '09, we had an oil change and new spark plugs done and were told that a manifold was a little warped. Mechanic fixed the area with JB Weld and we were told that it should hold up for at least a couple years, if not longer. Two months later, we had a CD Player and Fishfinder installed by a different Marine Service and were told that we needed new Risers due to rust being seen where connected to manifold. Didn't have risers or manifolds replaced and boat has run very good since being told this. Yesterday we had a Minor Drive Service done, which included an oil change and gear lube. On the invoice the Tech noted that the engine has bad manifolds and risers......rust on area where they connect. Now, we've been told about these manifolds and risers a couple of times and the engine has been fine for the last two summers. We have not put the boat into complete salt water yet, but plan on it this summer (Intracoastal). We know we are taking a chance of the engine locking up, but finances just haven't been there for the repair. Suggestions/comments PLEASE!

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

Another question, what brand of manifolds/risers would be good to buy?

 

[dn010]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

Would be helpful to know what kind of engine you are seeking the advice on...

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

We know we are taking a chance of the engine locking up, but finances just haven't been there for the repair. Suggestions/comments PLEASE!

My question now would be........ Which would be better? replacing the manifolds/risers or the engine AND the manifolds/risers?


You're running your current engine on borrowed time........The choice is yours.....

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

My question now would be........ Which would be better? replacing the manifolds/risers or the engine AND the manifolds/risers?


You're running your current engine on borrowed time........The choice is yours.....

Ayuh,... I agree with Rick,...
Your playin' with Fire,... Roll the Dice...

 

[Tenn Formula]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

google dennis moore performance. you can buy a complete set of manifolds and risers for a reasonable price depending on your application. you are running on borrowed time imo. if you are using in salt water, may want to consider aluminum.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

Engine is a 5.7L/350hp. Mechanic Tech told us that the rest of the engine is fine, that all we need is the manifolds and risers. The same tech also told that they only buy cast iron for their customers and a lot of their customers run their boats in saltwater. Wife wants to keep costs (parts/labor) under $1000. The one marine service that we took our boat to in '09 charges $65 per hr labor while the other is $95 per hr labor. I wish I could do it myself, but with previous hip replacement and shoulder surgery.........no way.

 

[mkast]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

Suggestions/comments PLEASE!

Let the boat sit until you can afford to operate it.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

That isn't going to happen! We pay a monthly insurance payment (starting in May), a monthly storage fee and a yearly SeaTow membership.......just too much money going out on this stuff just to have the boat sit. We will get the manifolds/risers replaced, but just have to find the right per hr labor fee and parts cost.

Let the boat sit until you can afford to operate it.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

We've decided to take the boat in for new manifolds and risers to be installed. Believe me "peace of mind" is a necessity at our age!

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

We've decided to take the boat in for new manifolds and risers to be installed. Believe me "peace of mind" is a necessity at our age!

Ayuh,... A Wise decision....

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

Was going to take the boat back to storage this PM from the marina service area, with the new manifolds and risers put on, BUT while we were inspecting it before hooking it up, my wife called me over to look at the prop. The prop has three blades and one was fairly scratched and another had a chip on the edge, the size of a nickel! We are sure this prop was fine when we brought it in. The prop was basically new with no scratches/chips. Believe me, we would have noticed this chip and scratches if they were there before we took it in. To say the least, I was sort of angry......but controlled it. The owner was that the NASCAR race and doesn't believe in cell phones (pretty old man). So, we left the boat there and will call him on Monday to see what happened. He should replace the prop, but I'm not going to get into a "spittin match" with him over when it happened. Only thing is, a new prop, sleeve and install will cost us around $200.
Now we are very curious how the new manifolds and risers do.......no overheating or leaks. The mechanic put on the invoice that everthing was fine, but?????????
What do we have to do now, take pics of our boat before we take it somewhere for repairs so we can be sure if something happens to it, it wasn't due to us????

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

You don't have to take pics, but most would understand if you walked around the boat with them to verify that there is no (or note any) damages.

If there is a issue rising up about the prop, don't let it get the better of you. Just acknowledge it to them, and leave. Most shops are straight forward and if there is a chance that it happened there, they would step up and get it fixed. I know I would rather have a happy repeat customer than you going and telling all of your friends what a terrible place I run and to stay away.

Don't replace the prop, get it reconditioed at a prop shop. There is one in Jax that I use and the standard 17"-19" prop will only run about $60-$75. It will be as good as new. If I can recall the name, I will PM it to you.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

We could only take the boat in on Sunday when nobody was there from the repair area. There is a small convience store that is part of the repair area, but the lady that works in there on the weekends is only a clerk. She did assist us in where to sit the boat/trailer, but that was it. Never gave it a thought about doing an inspection of boat/trailer with her (she didn't do one by herself either).
We did go back down yesterday to get the number stamped on the prop, since we want the same pitch on a new prop. Didn't think about taking the camera with us for photos of the damage to the prop. We really want/deserve a new prop, but don't know what will happen if the Service owner will only repair the prop. One thing for sure, a repaired prop is not a new one.
I have to say this also.........when we went to our local Marine store to find out the cost of a new prop and I told the salesman what happened, but didn't say where it happened, he asked me the name. I ended up telling him and he said, "we've gotten some complaints about his service". So, the salesman knew where/who had worked on the boat.
Well, tomorrow we will find out what will happen. We are hoping (praying) nothing happened to the drive! Can't tell that til we put the boat in the water.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

You will never be able to tell the difference between a properly reconditioned and a new prop. They will tig weld in any missing aluminum, smooth all surfaces, check all blades for proper pitch, cup, and rake, and then repaint. They will even replace or reseat the hub if necessary. I have had many props reconditioned with nothing but more than satisfactory results. My props are 23x23 brass and a replacement is $1600 (x2). Trust me when I say that reconditioning is a worthwhile investment. Aske the others here for another opinion.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

A few years ago, we did have a prop reconditioned and it was fine, but they damaged a basically new prop! If the owner says he will repair the prop, we will ask him for a new one. If he refuses a new one, it will be basically up to my wife on what to do next. It was her retirement savings money that bought this boat, so the decision will be hers (with a little of my help, of course). If the owner replaces the prop, it won't cost us a thing........of which we are hoping/praying will happen!

You will never be able to tell the difference between a properly reconditioned and a new prop. They will tig weld in any missing aluminum, smooth all surfaces, check all blades for proper pitch, cup, and rake, and then repaint. They will even replace or reseat the hub if necessary. I have had many props reconditioned with nothing but more than satisfactory results. My props are 23x23 brass and a replacement is $1600 (x2). Trust me when I say that reconditioning is a worthwhile investment. Aske the others here for another opinion.

 

[Riegfrghtl]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

Just my opinioin, the moment that new prop touched the water it ceased to be a new prop. If the servicing marina offers a new prop, great! If they offer to recondition, also great. With no photos or walk around inspection it becomes a he said she said matter. Definitely talk with them and see what direction they want to take. Then make a decision as to what avenue you want to take.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: New Manifolds And Risers Needed?

Well, there is one thing FOR SURE.........our boat will never go back to that Marine Service again!! When we took the boat to them in 2009 for a new gas guage, the did install a new one, but the guage only showed 1/2 full when the tank was completely full. We had it written on the Service Order that the tank was full of gas. We didn't find out that the guage didn't work until a week later when I started the engine to "put in"! Back to the Marine Service again. He did fix it for free, but his mechanic should have should have checked out the guage before he released the boat to us. The guage was fine, but the indicator inside the tank was bad.
All we can say is "enough is enough", even if his labor fee is cheap!