Kinda Clueless in South Jersey

[LostAtSeaRay]

Disclaimer: I'm a girl. I know about a lot of things... Not boats. Will describe my issue best way I know how... and it'll make some of you cringe. But you're my last stop before I cave to the marina's $15k quote.

2001 Sundeck, 5.0L Alpha (I think) Ran fine on the water up until the final mile. Warning signal started screaming, we ran it a little bit longer before we cut the engine because we didn't know why it was going off. Got towed back. Marina said the engine is seized. From what I could find in the last 6 hours of research, it could be completely unrecoverable or it could be a piston-thing? IDK. I'm even looking for abandoned or cheap Sundecks or similar with a low-hour engine I can buy and junk everything but the engine.

Not one marina is going to say, "Let me help you save $10k." So here we are. Am I wasting time with Dollar General mentality when it will cost me Sachs Fifth in the end? (Chick analogy, I know. But it is what it is)

I appreciate any feedback.

 

[achris]

Boat manufacturers aren't engine manufacturers. You don't need to find another Sundeck. What you're looking for is ANY boat with a 5L or 5.7L MerCruiser engine.

Also, find another mechanic. This one is trying to 'touch you up' (guy reference) for way more than he should be allowed to. Find a shop willing to get you into a remanufactured engine 'long block'. All the accessories on your current engine will still be fine, they just need to be transferred across to a new long block. And me, I'd be searching for a second (and third) opinion on it being seized...

Heck, pay me a couple of grand and I'd fly over and do the job for you.

Chris...

 

[Scott06]

Disclaimer: I'm a girl. I know about a lot of things... Not boats. Will describe my issue best way I know how... and it'll make some of you cringe. But you're my last stop before I cave to the marina's $15k quote.

2001 Sundeck, 5.0L Alpha (I think) Ran fine on the water up until the final mile. Warning signal started screaming, we ran it a little bit longer before we cut the engine because we didn't know why it was going off. Got towed back. Marina said the engine is seized. From what I could find in the last 6 hours of research, it could be completely unrecoverable or it could be a piston-thing? IDK. I'm even looking for abandoned or cheap Sundecks or similar with a low-hour engine I can buy and junk everything but the engine.

Not one marina is going to say, "Let me help you save $10k." So here we are. Am I wasting time with Dollar General mentality when it will cost me Sachs Fifth in the end? (Chick analogy, I know. But it is what it is)

I appreciate any feedback.

Not sure if buzzer was from over heat or low oil pressure but either can toast an engine.

I bought my boat seven years ago as a handyman’s special with blown engine. The PO was a friend of a friend and got a $11,500 estimate to replace it with a merc reman bobtail … so $15 k at a marina on the water isn’t so far off from bigger dealer prices.

Flip side yes you can do it cheaper as Chris outlines find an independent mechanic that doesn’t need to pay for the big building and lots of overhead. Get a rebuilt or new base engine/ long block pay a more reasonable hourly rate for insta its half the price

I paid $5k for a new partial engine - long block plus intake carb exhaust and ignition … did the work myself and am now on my seven season … so no free lunch but shop around.

With the $15 k option you should get a good warranty etc so if ease of getting it done is more important than cost to you might be a better option

 

[Bt Doctur]

Lost, get a second opinion from a different mechanic.Couple of cases I had to deal with .
"you need a new engine" =2 broken valve springs and slight oil contamination. Simple head job.
"You have water in the oil.= cracked head.Replace head and change oil
" you were towed in, we dont know whats wrong but we can install a new engine"= cracked head from an overheat, barnacle infused outdrive . recon heads ,1 new head, re-assenble , flush and drain crankcase ,runs perfect

A second opinion is worth maybe thousands saved, define "south jersey"
care to post the work place its at

 

[LostAtSeaRay]

Lost, get a second opinion from a different mechanic.Couple of cases I had to deal with .
"you need a new engine" =2 broken valve springs and slight oil contamination. Simple head job.
"You have water in the oil.= cracked head.Replace head and change oil
" you were towed in, we dont know whats wrong but we can install a new engine"= cracked head from an overheat, barnacle infused outdrive . recon heads ,1 new head, re-assenble , flush and drain crankcase ,runs perfect

A second opinion is worth maybe thousands saved, define "south jersey"
care to post the work place its at

Lost, get a second opinion from a different mechanic.Couple of cases I had to deal with .
"you need a new engine" =2 broken valve springs and slight oil contamination. Simple head job.
"You have water in the oil.= cracked head.Replace head and change oil
" you were towed in, we dont know whats wrong but we can install a new engine"= cracked head from an overheat, barnacle infused outdrive . recon heads ,1 new head, re-assenble , flush and drain crankcase ,runs perfect

A second opinion is worth maybe thousands saved, define "south jersey"
care to post the work place its at

Hey, BT. We’re in Sweetwater. I really appreciate everyone’s feedback. I didn’t expect this much help overnight.

What is the difference a long block and a small block?

 

[nola mike]

Hey, BT. We’re in Sweetwater. I really appreciate everyone’s feedback. I didn’t expect this much help overnight.

What is the difference a long block and a small block?

Long block= SHORT block (Pistons, crankshaft) + heads (valve train)
Small block engine= 5.7 L displacement or below (in a Chevy). Big block = bigger than that. More or less.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Long block is block with rotating assembly and heads.

Short block is just the block with rotating assembly

A small block is the smaller of the GM blocks. These have historically been 265 to 400 cubic inch displacement. These motors have a 4.40" bore spacing. As compared to big block which had historically been 365 to 502 cubic inches. These motors have a 4.84" bore spacing

 

[LostAtSeaRay]

Not sure if buzzer was from over heat or low oil pressure but either can toast an engine.

I bought my boat seven years ago as a handyman’s special with blown engine. The PO was a friend of a friend and got a $11,500 estimate to replace it with a merc reman bobtail … so $15 k at a marina on the water isn’t so far off from bigger dealer prices.

Flip side yes you can do it cheaper as Chris outlines find an independent mechanic that doesn’t need to pay for the big building and lots of overhead. Get a rebuilt or new base engine/ long block pay a more reasonable hourly rate for insta its half the price

I paid $5k for a new partial engine - long block plus intake carb exhaust and ignition … did the work myself and am now on my seven season … so no free lunch but shop around.

With the $15 k option you should get a good warranty etc so if ease of getting it done is more important than cost to you might be a better option

Scott,

Yes saving money is a priority. I’ve tossed this season away and am willing to take the time I need to get this done right but not at the cost I’m being quoted.

I never take the first quote as the end-all. Last year, we were quoted $1500 for a power steering pump. I found out car pumps will work in a boat and it only cost us $80.

I knew a forum like this would get knowledgeable people like Chris, BT and you to point me in the right direction. I have some searching to do. I needed to hear it from
people who know what they’re talking about before I kept going.

Thank you all so much!

 

[LostAtSeaRay]

Long block= SHORT block (Pistons, crankshaft) + heads (valve train)
Small block engine= 5.7 L displacement or below (in a Chevy). Big block = bigger than that. More or less.

Ah. Ok. It’s funny, even tho I don’t know what displacement, crankshaft or valve train is, I understood exactly what you just said. Lol.

 

[LostAtSeaRay]

Boat manufacturers aren't engine manufacturers. You don't need to find another Sundeck. What you're looking for is ANY boat with a 5L or 5.7L MerCruiser engine.

Also, find another mechanic. This one is trying to 'touch you up' (guy reference) for way more than he should be allowed to. Find a shop willing to get you into a remanufactured engine 'long block'. All the accessories on your current engine will still be fine, they just need to be transferred across to a new long block. And me, I'd be searching for a second (and third) opinion on it being seized...

Heck, pay me a couple of grand and I'd fly over and do the job for you.

Chris

Boat manufacturers aren't engine manufacturers. You don't need to find another Sundeck. What you're looking for is ANY boat with a 5L or 5.7L MerCruiser engine.

Also, find another mechanic. This one is trying to 'touch you up' (guy reference) for way more than he should be allowed to. Find a shop willing to get you into a remanufactured engine 'long block'. All the accessories on your current engine will still be fine, they just need to be transferred across to a new long block. And me, I'd be searching for a second (and third) opinion on it being seized...

Heck, pay me a couple of grand and I'd fly over and do the job for you.

Chris...

If it would cost less that $10k, I’ll book you a ticket now. .

I’m a second and third opinion poster child. I’ve been researching since yesterday and found this…

Would this work?

 

[nola mike]

Ah. Ok. It’s funny, even tho I don’t know what displacement, crankshaft or valve train is, I understood exactly what you just said. Lol.

Short block: Bottom of the engine
Long block: Both halves
Neither include accessories (starter, water pump, alternator, etc). Those would be swapped over from your current engine. You can buy everything with the accessories included, which would go by various names (drop-in, bobtail, complete)

If it would cost less that $10k, I’ll book you a ticket now. .

I’m a second and third opinion poster child. I’ve been researching since yesterday and found this…

Would this work?

We don't have your serial number I don't think. But if your engine is a 2001 vintage, that wouldn't work (wouldn't be ideal at least). The head design changed in 1996 or so in boats. Also, depending on your fuel system, upgrading to a 5.7L bloc would be pretty easy and get you some additional power. A lot of people (including myself) have dealt with michiganmotorz and had good experiences.

 

[nola mike]

5.7L Complete Engine Package (1987-Later MerCruiser Applications)

5.7L Complete Engine Package (1987-Later MerCruiser Applications)

www.michiganmotorz.com

5.7L Vortec Marine Engine (1996-2020)

5.7L Vortec marine engine (1996-current)

www.michiganmotorz.com

Interestingly cheaper than the 5.0L. Figure $1-2K to swap everything over and replace the engine.

 

[LostAtSeaRay]

Short block: Bottom of the engine
Long block: Both halves
Neither include accessories (starter, water pump, alternator, etc). Those would be swapped over from your current engine. You can buy everything with the accessories included, which would go by various names (drop-in, bobtail, complete)

We don't have your serial number I don't think. But if your engine is a 2001 vintage, that wouldn't work (wouldn't be ideal at least). The head design changed in 1996 or so in boats. Also, depending on your fuel system, upgrading to a 5.7L bloc would be pretty easy and get you some additional power. A lot of people (including myself) have dealt with michiganmotorz and had good experiences.

Oh really? Ok. Damn, you are all so helpful. I never expected to get this much information.

I’ll look up Michigan Motors now. Thank you a million!

 

[Lou C]

Might want to stay away from marinas & find a local auto machine shop that will do a marine build. They can evaluate your current engine and decide if it’s reparable or not. Some can build you a marine reman engine right in their shop. Might be better than long distance mail order where if there is a problem gotta pay for shipping back for something that weighs like 600 lbs!
Example: my old engine overheated & 3 years later both head gaskets blew & had water in 2 cyls & oil. Not enough water to hydro lock it lucky. So I removed the cyl heads & had them inspected. Cracks from overheat & cooling passages eroded from years of salt water use. Installed a set of reman heads with new gaskets & cyl head bolts myself & still running fine 5 years later…

 

[LostAtSeaRay]

5.7L Complete Engine Package (1987-Later MerCruiser Applications)

5.7L Complete Engine Package (1987-Later MerCruiser Applications)

www.michiganmotorz.com

5.7L Vortec Marine Engine (1996-2020)

5.7L Vortec marine engine (1996-current)

www.michiganmotorz.com

Interestingly cheaper than the 5.0L. Figure $1-2K to swap everything over and replace the engine.

Found it! So buying this remanu’d engine, I would or would not need parts from the old engine?

 

[Scott06]

5.7L Complete Engine Package (1987-Later MerCruiser Applications)

5.7L Complete Engine Package (1987-Later MerCruiser Applications)

www.michiganmotorz.com

5.7L Vortec Marine Engine (1996-2020)

5.7L Vortec marine engine (1996-current)

www.michiganmotorz.com

Interestingly cheaper than the 5.0L. Figure $1-2K to swap everything over and replace the engine.

They stopped making the 5.0 in 2015 or so so prices went up such that a 5.7 is cheaper. If you have an injected engine and don’t have the wherewithal to mess with reprogramming your stuck

 

[Scott06]

Scott,

Yes saving money is a priority. I’ve tossed this season away and am willing to take the time I need to get this done right but not at the cost I’m being quoted.

I never take the first quote as the end-all. Last year, we were quoted $1500 for a power steering pump. I found out car pumps will work in a boat and it only cost us $80.

I knew a forum like this would get knowledgeable people like Chris, BT and you to point me in the right direction. I have some searching to do. I needed to hear it from
people who know what they’re talking about before I kept going.

Thank you all so much!

Car ps pump is the same except for relief valve …

Definitely get second opinion but if it does need replacement many ways to get it done
If you have time shop around you can also find used engines on CL and eBay or find a rotten glass boat with decent engine pull the engine and trash the rest

Do you or anyone else involved have mechanical aptitude ? If so take the engine out to a machine shop have them rebuild it .

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yes saving money is a priority.

Boating is the most expensive hobby in the world

 

[achris]

Boating is the most expensive hobby in the world

Combine it with scuba diving and underwater photography!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Combine it with scuba diving and underwater photography!

I know its cheaper than racing. my buddy races all summer and his out of pocket expenses are half of mine