Replacement Engine

[Bottom Feeder]

Due a (hopefully brief) bout of stupidity, I have to replace the engine in my 94 Sea Ray 20' Bowrider. (Long story short: winter, water, big crack, brown oil...)<br /><br />It currently has a Mercruiser 5.0 in it. I'm considering buying a remanufactured engine from ATK - URL http://www.atk-engines.com/marine.html <br /><br />Anyone have any experience with these people?<br /><br />Any other recommendations for replacement engines?<br /><br />Thanks in Advance,<br />Mark

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacement Engine

Put a 5.7(350cid) in it.... <br />It's a Direct Replacement, Drop-In.....<br />Free Power.... They'll Cost you about the Same Money....<br />You can buy a 350 GM Truck engine,+ Bolt on your assessories.....<br />The Only thing that needs to be Changed on the 1-ton Truck motor, is the Freeze-Plugs.... use Brass....

 

[zzzzz]

Re: Replacement Engine

try www.marinerebuilds.com

 

[Bottom Feeder]

Re: Replacement Engine

Bondo...<br />I'd always heard that putting an Automobile/Truck engine in a marine application was a major PITA. Wouldn't I need to swap out the camshaft and install marine gaskets in addition to the brass freeze plugs? I'm not a gearhead and while swapping a complete motor or one that only needs accessories installed is a possibility, rebuilding or tearing into the guts of the thing is something I'm not comfortable with...<br />Any other opinions on the car/truck motor swap?<br />Thanks,<br />Mark

 

[denniz]

Re: Replacement Engine

Hey bottom feeder, Ive got a buddy who lives in Baytown, works at the VIP SUPERSTORE..or whatever its called. My opinion is to use your old cam or equivilant marine gaskets cause youll be running in salt and brass freeze plugs for the same reason. If you get time call the superstore and tell Barry and SHENENE I said HI.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacement Engine

The 1 ton heavy duty truck motor Has a Marine/RV cut cam already... Just change the freezeplugs,+ Go...<br />There are No Steel headgaskets anymore.... they're All Composite....<br /><br />Yes, There's grease under my finger nails, Most days...

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Replacement Engine

Bondo is right. <br />When you said 5.0. Do you mean a 305 or a 302? To me a 5.0 is a ford 302ci and you cant swap a it out with a 350ci chevy with out changing a lot of stuff.

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Replacement Engine

Mark:<br /><br />I just recently bought a 5.7 long block and installed it in my boat from these guys..<br /><br /> http://www.bestrebuiltengines.com <br />also called Powersource<br /><br />They have a 2 year warranty, they are not the cheapest nor the most expensive...<br />The engine I got from them says Capitol city engines out of Richmond VA<br /><br />I have about 10hours on it so far and it hasnt blown up so I guess its ok<br /><br />Its kind of a crap shoot I guess, when I did my research I had a hard time finding anyone who had 1st hand experience with any rebuilders listed on line. Good luck<br /><br />Tallman

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacement Engine

f_inscreenname,<br /> Merc. Quit using Ford motors Long before 1994....<br /> I think they dumped the Ford power Before the Alpha came out....

 

[Bottom Feeder]

Re: Replacement Engine

Thanks for the link Tallman - it looks like they're pretty much in line with others I've been looking at. They show a 2 year, Unlimited Hours warranty - kinda hard to beat that...<br /><br />Thanks all for the help. I'm sure I'll be back with questions on the install...<br /><br />Mark

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Replacement Engine

ooops my bad. Never owned a new merc.

 

[DJP]

Re: Replacement Engine

Did just what you're doing only 3 years ago to a Searay 22 Bowrider, it had a 4.3l v-6 in it, same problem, cracked block. Replaced it with a 350/ 350, the engine I built myself from a 350 4 bolt block with some minor mods to get more power out of it, cam, lifters, valves etc... The one major problem I ran into was I had to re-inforce the motor mount brackets in the boat, not on the motor obviously. The boats were only two layers of pressboard bathed in matt and glass, they just wouldn't suffice with the extra torque, weight and HP the new motor was gonna produce. So I ripped them out and replaced them with 2 7/8 pieces of oak plyboard bathed in epoxy resin, laterally screwed into the supporting bilge form then matted and glassed, about 6 times until I was happy with the appearance. Then mounted the floating mounts and relined the output shafts, quite an easy swap, however you will have to bear in mind that upgrading your HP will mean you may have to change you're final outdrive ratio. Good Luck, check the mounts carefully.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Replacement Engine

i would be very wary of spending good $$$$ on a rebuild from any of these outfits. the fact is they will void the warranty for any reason whatsoever. recon & some of these others have a poor track record when it comes to honoring their warranties. read the fine print carefully. very carefully. buyer beware.

 

[scottmech]

Re: Replacement Engine

I keep seeing on these post that the 5.7L can be the replacement for the 5L. I know all the accessories will bolt on, but doesn't the carb need to be rejetted to keep up with the extra displacement? Won't it run lean at WOT?<br /><br />Just a thought.

 

[DJP]

Re: Replacement Engine

Forgive me if I put my foot in my mouth but on a 5.0L motor the intake is only set up for a 2 bbl carb as far as i know, while the upgraded 5.7L has or should have a 4bbl set up, therefore re-jetting is accomplished simply by installing the proper 4bbl carb. A 350 / 350 runs best at sea level with a 650 cfm whatever, Quadrajunk or Holley, with or without vacuum secondaries. A double pumper would be overkill for a regularly aspirated marine motor.

 

[wheels4]

Re: Replacement Engine

The 305 or (5.0) came with both 2 and 4 barrel carbs.Put the 5.7 in and get a marine holley from summit and you will have no problem.This would be your best bet.I put a 305 in my 21ft. Eagle and now want more power but for the price i paid for the 305 Im very happy.Mine is the 4 barrel 305 rated at 190 horse.Ill be putting a 350 in next year though.Good Luck,Jonny

 

[Bottom Feeder]

Re: Replacement Engine

Sea Wolf<br />Is this from first hand experience or knowing someone personally that got taken? Or is this just what you've "heard" here and there? Not doubting your info, just would like to know what it's based on...<br />Thanks,<br />Mark

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Replacement Engine

there is an extensive thread on boatered on this very issue. the guy bought a rebuilt engine, it blew & the co. won't honor the warranty. check out what george says about these companies that sell rebuilt engines. you'll get an education.

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Replacement Engine

Just my 2 cents. no matter what happens you got to put an engine in it. If you follow the maufactures guidelines you shouldnt have a problem. "I hope" When I looked for a company I also check the Better Business to see if there was any information on the company or complaints..<br />I know for a fact that I posted your same question somewhere and someone told me about Recon... Maybe it was boatered Not sure but I might steer clear of them..<br /><br />You are going to get a lot of advice, it all depends on what kind of $$ you want to spend etc... If you got anyother questions please feel free to ask.. I agonized over this issue for some time and tried to be thorough on my research...I have a 1990 boat and didnt want to spend a load on it but wanted something good...<br /><br />Here are links to my previous posts dealing with this issue<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=001032 <br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=001239