88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

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kurtaiden

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
18
Just curious...and pardon me if this is the wrong place for this post. What should I expect to pay for a typical rebuild on a 1988 88 Johnson SPL? As far as i know the powerhead is good and compression is good. However this engine has not been reliable for me and Im just tired of getting to the ramp, offloading, and looking like a fool sitting there trying to get this thing to start. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesnt. Im just ready to have a reliable engine that goes when I want it to go. What have you others paid? Im located in the Jacksonville, FL area. Anyone have any recommendations for trust worthy mechanics in the area?
thanks
 
ondarvr

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

If the compression is good then a rebuild most likely isn't what you need, and really won't make it start any easier.

The problem sounds like it has more to do with all the components that aren't replaced in a rebuild, carbs, electrical, stuff like that.

What problems are you having?
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,397
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

You just asked "How long is a piece of string" :confused:
A proper diagnosis of your motor before you consider a rebuild would be a fine idea. Read the top secret files.
Cost of a rebuild depends on what you find during tear down as well.
 
K

kurtaiden

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
18
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

hmm thanks for the input. The engine will turn over and run for a few seconds and die. It just wont idle. I have looked at the top secret files and tested the fuel systems on both the boat end and the engine side. everything seems ok. I have drained the fuel tank, pulled it, cleaned it, reinstalled and refilled. No change. I rebuilt the carbs when I first purchased the boat. The boat had sat for a year without running and the carbs were completely gummed. I did a complete tear down and rebuild using sierra rebuild kits. Yes i did remove, clean, and replace with new core plugs. ???? I'm not a mechanic at all and am just tired of messing with the $*%& thing. I just want to be on the water soaking up the sun. Winter is coming on fast and Im running out off time. I dont have the money to take it to a mechanic so i guess im just out of luck. Anybody wanna buy it? lol 1988 88SPL Johnson V4? make an offer!? lol
 
K

kurtaiden

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
18
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

oh btw, the foot was just rebuilt last year by the previous owner. Have documents and receipts. So the foot is good and shifts with no grinding and smooth as can be.
 
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bob johnson

Rear Admiral
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
4,306
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

kurtaiden said:
hmm thanks for the input. The engine will turn over and run for a few seconds and die. It just wont idle. I have looked at the top secret files and tested the fuel systems on both the boat end and the engine side. everything seems ok. I have drained the fuel tank, pulled it, cleaned it, reinstalled and refilled. No change. I rebuilt the carbs when I first purchased the boat. The boat had sat for a year without running and the carbs were completely gummed. I did a complete tear down and rebuild using sierra rebuild kits. Yes i did remove, clean, and replace with new core plugs. ???? I'm not a mechanic at all and am just tired of messing with the $*%& thing. I just want to be on the water soaking up the sun. Winter is coming on fast and Im running out off time. I dont have the money to take it to a mechanic so i guess im just out of luck. Anybody wanna buy it? lol 1988 88SPL Johnson V4? make an offer!? lol
Click to expand...

where do you live?
 
D

daselbee

Commander
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
2,765
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

If you are serious about selling it, PM me with your phone number. I am not joking like the jokers above.
 
D

daselbee

Commander
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
2,765
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

I don't really know whether he wants to sell it or if HE was just joking around.

Lots of ha ha has, LOLS and smiley faaces going on...:):):)

At any rate, I would like to look at it for him...to see if I can pinpoint the problem, but he lives about 2.5 hours away. Don't know if I could find anything, but I have the tools.
It would make for a good, full Saturday....
 
K

kurtaiden

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
18
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

lol thanks for the offers. I can do better on ebay lol. I just did another compression test just so that I can post it on here. Compression in all four was 118, 118, 120, 120. does that sound good? Next, I want to get a spark tester to test the spark to make sure the coils are good. Im leaning towards an issue with the power packs but Im not at all a marine mechanic so thats just my gut. What are the symptoms of a bad power pack? Is there a way to test it?
 
K

kurtaiden

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
18
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

....and if I were serious about selling the engine I would think more towards 800 to 900. Just because I know its a good powerhead. Just needs tweaking.
 
K

kurtaiden

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
18
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

and just for the reference of others....i called today and got a quote of 1500 for the rebuild. given the head and crank is good. Im not going this route now that Im positive the block doesnt need rebuilt and just needs the carbs tweaked and synced.
 
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bigrockets

Seaman
Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
63
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

Your compression is adequate and the cylinders are within 10% of each other. The spark test will give you an idea of the coil/powerpack condition., Nice blue spark at 7/8 inch gap. It would have been better if you had used the OEM carb kit and not Sierra. Did you set the float height properly? Were the needle valve and seat replaced? Did you rebuild the fuel pump? What happens if you squeeze the primer bulb when it is about to die? Sounds like a fuel delivery problem. Read the secret file again and give us a list of the things you checked and what you found.
 
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bob johnson

Rear Admiral
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
4,306
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

daselbee said:
I don't really know whether he wants to sell it or if HE was just joking around.

Lots of ha ha has, LOLS and smiley faaces going on...:):):)

At any rate, I would like to look at it for him...to see if I can pinpoint the problem, but he lives about 2.5 hours away. Don't know if I could find anything, but I have the tools.
It would make for a good, full Saturday....
Click to expand...

I was mostly joking....but being calleda joker , is not the same as joking around...MOST of the time.

but it certainly is nice of you to change from wanting to take the motor off his hands:rolleyes:, to helping him fix it in person!!

a few more smiley faces for the thread....


to the OP...dont despair so quick....there are many times when a problem can be diagnosed several different ways....

and you got to approach it methodically...especially since it is kinda new to you


good luck

bob
 
K

kurtaiden

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
18
Re: 88SPL Rebuild Average Cost

i set the floats right according to the instructions. I turned the carb upside and blew threw it and no air went through. I turned it upright and air went through. This leads me to believe that the floats are set right. I too believe its an issue with fuel delivery...because when its about to die i press the key in the activate the choke/prime and it comes back to life. So if the fuel system is not taking in any air and not leaking down then it could very well be the fuel pump right? Or the carbs? Or timing? I still want to check the spark with a spark gap tester. What would be happening if the power packs were bad?
 
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