Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

[brentplock]

Hello,

I am needing to replace the engine in my boat to due a cracked water jacket. I am wondering if anyone has any feedback on Atlantic Marine Engines. They are running a winter sale on some long blocks and it makes them several hundred cheaper than some other dealers i found online. Just wondering if anyone has any input.

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
Don't hear their name come up much and have not heard anything bad. Many here get them from Michigan Mortorz

and keep in mind most want a rebuildable core or it's going to cost more

 

[AShipShow]

Yea, Michigan Motorz is going to be the default answer because they have a really good reputation. Interesting that Atlantic Marine seems to have a better warranty on reman though.. You might want to study both warranties though to see if there are any weird loop holes.

Honestly if it were me, I would consider the atlantic marine if its something reasonably close that you could drive to... You could save a ton on shipping if its an option, otherwise, if your paying shipping, I'd probably stick with Michigan Motorz just because of the reputation.

 

[Lou C]

I would also see if any automotive machine shops local to you will do a marine build. This saves in shipping if you can just rent a U-Haul to pick it up & have a face to face contact

 

[brentplock]

Yea, Michigan Motorz is going to be the default answer because they have a really good reputation. Interesting that Atlantic Marine seems to have a better warranty on reman though.. You might want to study both warranties though to see if there are any weird loop holes.

Honestly if it were me, I would consider the atlantic marine if its something reasonably close that you could drive to... You could save a ton on shipping if its an option, otherwise, if your paying shipping, I'd probably stick with Michigan Motorz just because of the reputation.

Yes, that’s why is am looking at them. I’m in Texas so shipping from Florida is about $500 and Michigan is about $700. The warranty and sale price is really making me lean to Atlantic marine. For a reman motor on sale is 1993.00 to right now.

 

[alldodge]

Don't know which motor but
As Ship mentioned, could have a local shop rebuild one if it's something like a 5.7 motor. Get one from a truck at a junk yard and rebuild, or if you find a good running one, just change out the core plugs and head gasket, then use all the stuff off your motor

 

[Scott06]

Don't know which motor but
As Ship mentioned, could have a local shop rebuild one if it's something like a 5.7 motor. Get one from a truck at a junk yard and rebuild, or if you find a good running one, just change out the core plugs and head gasket, then use all the stuff off your motor

Looking at their website the $1993 he mentions is for a 4.3 to the OP make sure you click the selection button on the engine detail- it goes up to $2800 for a 2008-15 version

 

[brentplock]

Looking at their website the $1993 hr mentions is for a 4.3 to the OP make sure you click the selection button on the engine detail- it goes up to $2800 for a 2008-15 version

Right. Mine is a 1997

 

[alldodge]

Right. Mine is a 1997

Can also get a 4.3 out of a S10

 

[AShipShow]

Right. Mine is a 1997

If yours is the vortec 4.3 then your actually much better off trying to find a lower mileage one at a salvage yard since they used those engines for quite a while. If its pre-vortec, your gonna have a hell of a time finding one in "worthwhile" condition.

 

[rolmops]

I have used several long blocks from Michigan motorz and in retrospect, there are a few important things to consider. No matter what rebuilder you choose. For instance. Is the rebuilt oversized? What is the actual compression in this block and how does it compare to standard. I had a mercruiser 3 liter block That turned out to have barely 100 psi.
another thing is warranty. They will insist on you using a reputable mechanic shop to do the work. That means that if you do the rebuild yourself they don't have to honor the guarantee. Also, in the fine print you will find that the guarantee period is fairly short and does not work with season ,but with months. In other words, if you buy the long block now but you only will start using it next July, the guarantee may be almost over before you ever hit the water.
Whatever you decide upon, do read the small print and do not loose the paperwork.
One last thing. Does the long block come with all the gaskets or do you have to go out and buy them?

 

[brentplock]

I have used several long blocks from Michigan motorz and in retrospect, there are a few important things to consider. No matter what rebuilder you choose. For instance. Is the rebuilt oversized? What is the actual compression in this block and how does it compare to standard. I had a mercruiser 3 liter block That turned out to have barely 100 psi.
another thing is warranty. They will insist on you using a reputable mechanic shop to do the work. That means that if you do the rebuild yourself they don't have to honor the guarantee. Also, in the fine print you will find that the guarantee period is fairly short and does not work with season ,but with months. In other words, if you buy the long block now but you only will start using it next July, the guarantee may be almost over before you ever hit the water.
Whatever you decide upon, do read the small print and do not loose the paperwork.
One last thing. Does the long block come with all the gaskets or do you have to go out and buy them?

From Atlantic Marine it comes with gaskets, oil pan, and timing cover. I’d have to buy that separate from Michigan Motors

 

[Scott Danforth]

there are hundreds of engine rebuilders in texas. I would recommend looking local since youre looking at a reman.

nothing special about a boat motor long block. slightly more clearance on the pistons, brass core plugs, marine cam, marine head gaskets, marine circulating pump,

 

[matt167]

Be careful rebuilds are often a you pay for what you get type of thing.

You hear horror stories of places like Jasper sizing rods and cranks individually to use up junk parts

 

[Scott06]

Be careful rebuilds are often a you pay for what you get type of thing.

You hear horror stories of places like Jasper sizing rods and cranks individually to use up junk parts

Yes - when I bought a new base engine in 2015, the seller gave me $150 for my cracked (by previous owner) core... I'm sure they didn't try to repair the block , but I am sure the heads if passed magnafluxing would be inn someone's engine.

Sure it can be done but I heard enough stories about who has a great warranty that I just bought a new GM base engine. Of course back then the cost diff between reman and new was not as big.

To the OP - would look for a local machine shop they may have a 4.3 that you can use or get one from a wrecking yard. Have them build it over the winter

 

[flashback]

parts of florida were under water a short time ago I hope the engine wasn't kept in an old warehouse near the bay.

 

[Lou C]

The other day when I drained the water out of the block I pulled the ‘stat housing like I do every few years to make sure the manifold water passage isn’t getting thin and it still seems really solid. If the rest of the block is that good inside I wonder if I could just pull the heads that I installed back in ‘17 and have a shop rebuild the short block with new bearings pistons & rings even if it’s been used in salt water. I know this goes against conventional wisdom but each case is different.

 

[Scott Danforth]

parts of florida were under water a short time ago I hope the engine wasn't kept in an old warehouse near the bay.

those have already been sold on facebook marketplace.

 

[rolmops]

those have already been sold on facebook marketplace.

I like that word play, sarcastic and amused at the same time.
Keep it coming!
But seriously, if you get a short block that took a dunking in all that nasty stuff and you clean it up and remove all moving parts and replace all of that with new materials, would it really matter that the skeleton took a dive?

 

[Lou C]

Yes, it depends on how pitted the cast iron of the cylinder walls & the block deck sealing surfaces got from salt water exposure.