5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

petrey10

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
82
I am going to look at a boat with a 5.7L GM engine. The previous owner did not winterize the boat so he had to completely replace the engine. I was wondering if this is a red flag? Should I not even consider buying this boat? The interior from the pictures looks terrific and it is the boat that I have been looking for. But I want it to last 10 plus years. I told the salesman that I would only buy it if I could get a garantee on the boat for 60-100 engine hours. Is this enough? Should I get more? Am I crazy for even thinking about getting this boat? Anything I can look for on the engine to help me make a decision? The previous owner did drive it last summer before selling it this fall.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,588
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

His mistake could be your good fortune.A new motor is surely a plus.I would highly encourage you to pay a professional to check her out stem to stern including a sea trial.A warrantee would be a huge plus but I doubt if the seller will go for it.Outside of the owner possibly taking some money saving shortcuts(which your surveyor should be able to pick up on),I think you should take the proper and careful steps to proceed.Charlie
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

His mistake could be your good fortune
depends on what is ment by replaced. a cheapo rebuild, a used engine from another boat.... for sure do a compression test. worry about the drive too. it can be a maj. expense. for mine, the dealer "said" he put in a new impeller. said it had no metal shaveings in the gear lub or water. well, it did stay cool, and i had them drain the gear lub in front of me after a test run. had them pressure and vac. test in ft. of me too.

The interior from the pictures looks terrific
don't let the cosmetics sway yer judgement. boats in general look pretty.

either have it surveyed or if it's a smaller boat. ya can google buying a used boat. when i bought mine. i had a 3 or 4 page list of things to check out. i went thru them one by one in ft. of the dealer starting with crawling under the boat and looking at the bottom from bow to stern. i ask many questions of the dealer, i found the previous owner and ask him questions too.

what kinda drive it has my influence ya too..... mercruisers and volvos seem to be the standard..... if it's something else, ya may want to reconsider...

for sure on the sea trial too. operate everything that works and give it a good test run.....

ya don't say how old the boat is. but be aware that floors, stringers, and transoms usually have wood in them which can rot. that's real bad. then it don't matter what engine package ya got. ya would have no boat to mount it in. a quick look at the drian hole is a good start. if it's got a brown stain runnin down the transom from the drain hole. i'd think twice... signs of wood rot..... there's more to it than this and i'm sure others will chime in too.... ya did come to the right place to find out about boats though. these folks here are great......
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

i have a 1999 5.7 and love it.
 

rndn

Commander
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
2,323
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

One thing to think about is if he failed to winterize it, did he do any other maintenance. Although a new engine is great the outdrive may also be auffering from lack of love. Make sure you look it over or have it looked over prior to commiting to the purchase.
 

John_S

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2004
Messages
4,269
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

Consider contacting the old owner and having a good talk about the boat. Since it has been traded in, he might be very forthcoming. If you do not have his name, ask to see some of the prior work receipts, like the engine replacement. Name and number can usually be found there.

Used boat warrentees are all over the map. Even if the dealer has one, it may not cover much.
 

petrey10

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
82
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

just to clarify it is a 1998 Moomba...inboard...The dealer did say he would give me a garantee for a certain amount of hours...I am thinking at least 60 hours would be nice which is about a summer's worth of driving (maybe). Ziggy if you happen to have that 3 or 4 page list I would be very happy if you could send it to me.. petrey10@hotmail.com
. ...Also what things do I need to look for with the shaft and prop and all that?
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

the list i used is on paper, so this ain't the list i used. just google up buying a used boat, maybe buying a used inboard boat in yer case.
this is an example of what can be found, not all incluseve.... various lists have various different items to check. so i read a few different ones.... but they all have good ideas as to what to be looking for....

"http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/how-to-buy-a-boat"
 

petrey10

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
82
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

ok so what are some things to look for with the drivetrain...it is an inboard
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 5.7L GM Engine..need some advice

on trailer, put in neutral, get under it, and turn prop, make sure everything is straight and doesn't wobble. be sure to water test it before buying.
 
Top