UPDATED!! Replacing 5.7 EFI Mercruiser

Pirate4Life

Cadet
Joined
Oct 3, 2012
Messages
10
Replacing a 5.7/EFI

I have a 1997 5.7L/EFI 2BBL and 4BBL TBI Alpha engine in a 20.5' Bayliner. I think this is a non-vortex engine. Last season the engine seized up. Since I purchased this boat used I was thinking about trying to repower my machine with a remanufactured engine. I'm looking for what I need to know before I make this purchase & where I can find this information.

Any suggestions from people who've gone through this purchasing process before are welcome!

Questions I need to answer:
1. I need to know if a vortex engine or vortex application will work.
2. Will I have to change out my upper and lower unit to match a new engine?
3. I think I have a right rotation. How do I check the rotation of the new engine/application?
4. Will it be more economical to get a complete engine, or just buy the block & try to salvage the parts I have from the old engine?
5. Where is a good place/company to look for a remanufactured engine? (I'm in Charleston, SC)
6. What's a good/average length of warranty for remanufactured engines?
7. What type of questions should I ask salesman?
8. Should I let a pro install, or is this something I could handle myself? (I have basic mechanic skills/knowledge.)
9. Where do you recommend that I look for new electrical harnesses?

Thank you for any assistance that y'all can provide!
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,357
I have a 1997 5.7L/EFI 2BBL and 4BBL TBI Alpha engine in a 20.5' Bayliner. I think this is a non-vortex engine. Last season the engine seized up. Since I purchased this boat used I was thinking about trying to repower my machine with a remanufactured engine. I'm looking for what I need to know before I make this purchase & where I can find this information.

Any suggestions from people who've gone through this purchasing process before are welcome!

Questions I need to answer:
1. I need to know if a vortex engine or vortex application will work.
2. Will I have to change out my upper and lower unit to match a new engine?
3. I think I have a right rotation. How do I check the rotation of the new engine/application?
4. Will it be more economical to get a complete engine, or just buy the block & try to salvage the parts I have from the old engine?
5. Where is a good place/company to look for a remanufactured engine? (I'm in Charleston, SC)
6. What's a good/average length of warranty for remanufactured engines?
7. What type of questions should I ask salesman?
8. Should I let a pro install, or is this something I could handle myself? (I have basic mechanic skills/knowledge.)
9. Where do you recommend that I look for new electrical harnesses?

Thank you for any assistance that y'all can provide!

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,.... Lets start with proper identification of yer motor,....
Ya might have a 5.7l Efi, Or a 2bbl. Or a 4bll., but not all 3,....

A Serial number is the Best bet,....
While yer lookin' for it, see if there's 12 bolts holdin' the intake to the heads, or 8 bolts,.... 8 is Vortec, 'n yer motor Should be at '97,....

To skip over a few of yer points,...
The drive won't care ya changed the motor, it'll be the same motor,....
Standard motors are left-handed, yer's is standard rotation,...
A standard rebuilt 350 matchin' yer's is one way to go, brand new Long Blocks, from GM ain't a bad deal either,....
 
Last edited:

Pirate4Life

Cadet
Joined
Oct 3, 2012
Messages
10
**This post is UPDATED**

I have a 1997 5.7L/EFI 2BBL Alpha engine in a 20.5' Bayliner. I think this is a non-vortex engine. Last season the engine seized up. Since I purchased this boat used I was thinking about trying to repower my machine with a remanufactured engine. I'm looking for what I need to know before I make this purchase & where I can find this information.

Any suggestions from people who've gone through this purchasing process before are welcome!

Questions I need to answer:
1. I need to know if a vortex engine or vortex application will work.
2. Will I have to change out my upper and lower unit to match a new engine?
3. I think I have a right rotation. How do I check the rotation of the new engine/application?
4. Will it be more economical to get a complete engine, or just buy the block & try to salvage the parts I have from the old engine?
5. Where is a good place/company to look for a remanufactured engine? (I'm in Charleston, SC)
6. What's a good/average length of warranty for remanufactured engines?
7. What type of questions should I ask salesman?
8. Should I let a pro install, or is this something I could handle myself? (I have basic mechanic skills/knowledge.)
9. Where do you recommend that I look for new electrical harnesses?

Thank you for any assistance that y'all can provide!
 

Dogdave

Seaman
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
65
There are many reputable builders of engines. If your engine is in fact efi. Stick with a stock mercruiser spec rebuild. If your engine seized you have to ask why? Has that issue been resolved?
 
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