Who here would buy a boat with 1400hours on a 454 mpi?

[chartersj]

I’m considering a boat with roughly 1400 hours. It has been well maintained and runs great. But that seems like a lot. Would a compression check tell you much on the condition of the engine? Owner says it doesn’t burn oil. It’s in a cruiser and wasn’t run hard. Any thoughts or advice?

 

[Scott Danforth]

is that hour meter hours, or ECM run hours?

the hours do not scare me as a properly maintained motor will last 5000 hours

1400 hours is about 5-7 years of use for a moderate boater, or 28 years for the average boater.

then again, if you leave the key on, that is 168 hours a week that the hour meter just clicks by. this is where reading the ECM will help

compression test and oil analysis will tell you about the motor.

 

[Lou C]

Fresh or salt water?
Open or closed cooling?

 

[tpenfield]

I'd buy the boat if . . .

Gen 6 7.4L
Fresh water only or Full closed cooling
Low price range as compared to similar boats

 

[chartersj]

is that hour meter hours, or ECM run hours?

the hours do not scare me as a properly maintained motor will last 5000 hours

1400 hours is about 5-7 years of use for a moderate boater, or 28 years for the average boater.

then again, if you leave the key on, that is 168 hours a week that the hour meter just clicks by. this is where reading the ECM will help

compression test and oil analysis will tell you about the motor.

Good point about key on hours. I can borrow a scan tool to read the computer.
He doesn’t mind me doing a compression test as well

 

[chartersj]

Fresh or salt water?
Open or closed cooling?

Fresh water and open cooling

 

[chartersj]

I'd buy the boat if . . .

Gen 6 7.4L
Fresh water only or Full closed cooling
Low price range as compared to similar boats

It’s been fresh water only. But I boat in salt water only.
Price is probably 5-10k lower then similar boats with lower hours and mint interior.

 

[tpenfield]

It’s been fresh water only. But I boat in salt water only.
Price is probably 5-10k lower then similar boats with lower hours and mint interior.

I do salt water . . . closed cooling is a must IMO. Orca should have a full closed cooling kit for that engine. Put one on BEFORE the boat sees the salt. Flush the engine with oxalic acid as a prep to the closed cooling installation.

If the compression checks out OK, then get your best price on the negotiation. 1,400 hrs should scare most folks away. Run the engine 'til it doesn't run anymore, then rebuild it to a 468 Cu In (7.6L). The ECM should still be OK with slightly larger displacement.

 

[chartersj]

I do salt water . . . closed cooling is a must IMO. Orca should have a full closed cooling kit for that engine. Put one on BEFORE the boat sees the salt. Flush the engine with oxalic acid as a prep to the closed cooling installation.

If the compression checks out OK, then get your best price on the negotiation. 1,400 hrs should scare most folks away. Run the engine 'til it doesn't run anymore, then rebuild it to a 468 Cu In (7.6L). The ECM should still be OK with slightly larger displacement.

I’ll look into that stuff thanks

 

[04fxdwgi25]

I sold my Chap (w/ a 7.4l,carbed) 4 years ago. lived 1/2 it's life in salt and had 1520 hours on the clock.

New owner texted me last fall with some pics and stating how strong it still runs.

Hours are secondary to proper care and maintenance

 

[chartersj]

I sold my Chap (w/ a 7.4l,carbed) 4 years ago. lived 1/2 it's life in salt and had 1520 hours on the clock.

New owner texted me last fall with some pics and stating how strong it still runs.

Hours are secondary to proper care and maintenance

Nice! Did you find your high hours effect your selling price compared to similar boats with lower hours?

 

[tpenfield]

Nice! Did you find your high hours effect your selling price compared to similar boats with lower hours?

2 years ago I sold my Formula 330 - twin 7.4L Mercruisers with 1,050 hours.

It does effect selling price, and it may take a bit longer to sell, as boats of similar age with less hours are more attractive to buyers.

If a seller is realistic about asking price vs. age vs. usage hours, then they can make their boat equally attractive on the market. I got my original asking price.

As a buyer, you probably want to make sure you are on the low end of the range of asking prices for same/similar boats. What boat is it?

 

[Bondo]

I’m considering a boat with roughly 1400 hours. It has been well maintained and runs great. But that seems like a lot. Would a compression check tell you much on the condition of the engine? Owner says it doesn’t burn oil. It’s in a cruiser and wasn’t run hard. Any thoughts or advice?

Ayuh,..... It'll tell you alot more than the clock does,....

 

[stresspoint]

that motor properly maintained and being that it was fresh water used @ a low 1400 hours will have lots more useable life even if you run it in salt water ,let the kids thrash it and put it away wet.
IMO it should not be a concern , as Scott Danforth posted :treat it , get some closed cooling happening just as a precaution to salt water damage.

the condition of the rest of the boat IE: drive service interval , interior trim , general appearance , etc would be more important than a 1400 hour chev motor.

get a readout off the ECU and have the motor checked by a Mercruiser adept mechanic and go from there .dont let those hours put you off if the rest of the boat checks out and passes your approval.

 

[Lou C]

I agree in that 1500 hrs in fresh water is use, but not excessive and fresh water engines can last 20-30 years as long as maintenance is done:
engine oil changes
ignition and fuel system maintained so it is not running too much spark advance, or running lean
exhaust system is maintained so you don't have water seeping back into cyls
engine/drive was propped correctly so engine was not laboring every time it had to pull the boat up on plane.
Even in salt water, 1500 hrs is achievable if the maintenance is done. In that case you are going to change the exhaust system about every 5-7 years depending on water salinity and hrs. My engine run by me in salt 20 years is on its 4th exhaust system. The cyl heads will start getting thin behind the valve seats after about 15 years, if you want to keep running it replacing the heads & head gaskets will add a lot more hrs and years to the life of the engine, because you avoid the destructive effects of hydrolock. And a top end overhaul like that, is easy to do in most boats without even pulling the engine. If the cyl head bolts come out, it is a pretty easy job.
With closed cooling, in salt the engine can last easily 3000-4000 hrs, no need to change the heads, but again, the exhaust system must be maintained.
And yes if I could find a freshwater boat like that, and the engine had no flaking rust inside, I for sure would add closed cooling before running it here in LI salt water.

 

[chartersj]

I’m 2 years ago I sold my Formula 330 - twin 7.4L Mercruisers with 1,050 hours.

It does effect selling price, and it may take a bit longer to sell, as boats of similar age with less hours are more attractive to buyers.

If a seller is realistic about asking price vs. age vs. usage hours, then they can make their boat equally attractive on the market. I got my original asking price.

As a buyer, you probably want to make sure you are on the low end of the range of asking prices for same/similar boats. What boat is it?

Yeah sounds reasonable. A Doral 250 se.
Family has grown and need more room

 

[chartersj]

Ayuh,..... It'll tell you alot more than the clock does,....

Ok. I’ll be doing one

 

[chartersj]

that motor properly maintained and being that it was fresh water used @ a low 1400 hours will have lots more useable life even if you run it in salt water ,let the kids thrash it and put it away wet.
IMO it should not be a concern , as Scott Danforth posted :treat it , get some closed cooling happening just as a precaution to salt water damage.

the condition of the rest of the boat IE: drive service interval , interior trim , general appearance , etc would be more important than a 1400 hour chev motor.

get a readout off the ECU and have the motor checked by a Mercruiser adept mechanic and go from there .dont let those hours put you off if the rest of the boat checks out and passes your approval.

Drive was changed out at some point. It has the newer swept back design and clearly in better condition than the transom assembly. Interior has some stitching letting go and is showing its age for sure,,, but with kids I don’t want all new just for them to make a mess of lol. Mostly what concerns me is the painted steel trailer,,, salt will eat that up quick even with rising it off

 

[chartersj]

I agree in that 1500 hrs in fresh water is use, but not excessive and fresh water engines can last 20-30 years as long as maintenance is done:
engine oil changes
ignition and fuel system maintained so it is not running too much spark advance, or running lean
exhaust system is maintained so you don't have water seeping back into cyls
engine/drive was propped correctly so engine was not laboring every time it had to pull the boat up on plane.
Even in salt water, 1500 hrs is achievable if the maintenance is done. In that case you are going to change the exhaust system about every 5-7 years depending on water salinity and hrs. My engine run by me in salt 20 years is on its 4th exhaust system. The cyl heads will start getting thin behind the valve seats after about 15 years, if you want to keep running it replacing the heads & head gaskets will add a lot more hrs and years to the life of the engine, because you avoid the destructive effects of hydrolock. And a top end overhaul like that, is easy to do in most boats without even pulling the engine. If the cyl head bolts come out, it is a pretty easy job.
With closed cooling, in salt the engine can last easily 3000-4000 hrs, no need to change the heads, but again, the exhaust system must be maintained.
And yes if I could find a freshwater boat like that, and the engine had no flaking rust inside, I for sure would add closed cooling before running it here in LI salt water.

Would a leak down test let you know the condition of the heads? And I agree about adding closed cooling. The risers and manifolds look almost new.
Just witnessed the first start of the year,, after sitting 8 months,,, started quick with no smoke and idled nice with no shakes or noises. So I’m feeling better about the engine.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I managed to get 5 years of salt use with a painted trailer. rinsed the trailer with salt-away every time. however after 5 years, anything that was supposed to roll.......didnt.

Upholstery will need attention. after 2004, the threads, vinyl and foam no longer carry arsenic as the anti-microbial. because of that, the new forumulations are not as good as they used to be so they rot faster now and degrade by UV faster.