I libe at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (naval station) and I have found a 24' Bayliner Trophy Cabin Cruise that needs repowering. The outdrive is supposed to be in pretty decent shape (I have not checked it out in detail) but I have been thinking about buying the boat and replacing the engine and the outdrive. It has a V-8 in it currently and on OMC out-drive (I am not certain what type of engine as I have not been able to board the boat and open the engine hatch). There are some severe shipping issues involved with this decision as well as long lead times for parts etc. I have several questions if anyone is interested in discussing this boat.
The first is should I try to rebuild the engine or replace it? I would think the rebuild parts would run around $1000 (Crank, cam pistons rings bearings timing chain and gears and gaskets) and the heads are about $200 each (from what I have found on online for a generic engine). I have found a couple of different rebuilt 5.7 Liter engines for around $3800 (long blocks) but the shipping would add a minimum of about $800 more. I have no idea if the block that is in the boat now can be remachined or would even need to be remachined. What should I look for in the block to determine if it can be remachined? The boat is fresh water cooled (heat exchanger?) and is it possible if it is not cracked and has good compression that I can get by with rings and bearings or maybe just new heads?
My second question is would it be possible to replace the engine with an automobile engine? I can buy 305 Chevy Pickups here with failry low miles (less than 50K) for less than $2000 and hundreds of ford rangers with v-6's for around $1500. What is the difference between an automotive 305 or 350 and a marine engine? Is it possible to put a truck engine in a boat without having to fabricate some kind of adapter?
I also have some concerns about the outdrive on this boat. It is supposed to be in good shape but again I have not looked into it at all. What is involved with rebuilding an outdrive and what should I look for without the engine running?
I can but this boat in the states in pretty decent shape for around $6000 and I can get this hull for less than $700. The hull / transom / and cabin are in good shape. If I were to ship an engine and an outdrive I would have more than $6K in it but I think I could probably ask around $8-9K for it down here because it costs about $3- 4K to ship a boat down here. I know several good engine mechanics here and the machine shop keeps the coast guard and navy outboards running so the labor and shop costs would be minimal with re-building but I don't have a lot of experience in analyzing an engine when it isn't running to determine what needs to be done to it. Shipping a block would cost close to what shipping an engine would cost. ANy advice would be greatly appreciated.
The first is should I try to rebuild the engine or replace it? I would think the rebuild parts would run around $1000 (Crank, cam pistons rings bearings timing chain and gears and gaskets) and the heads are about $200 each (from what I have found on online for a generic engine). I have found a couple of different rebuilt 5.7 Liter engines for around $3800 (long blocks) but the shipping would add a minimum of about $800 more. I have no idea if the block that is in the boat now can be remachined or would even need to be remachined. What should I look for in the block to determine if it can be remachined? The boat is fresh water cooled (heat exchanger?) and is it possible if it is not cracked and has good compression that I can get by with rings and bearings or maybe just new heads?
My second question is would it be possible to replace the engine with an automobile engine? I can buy 305 Chevy Pickups here with failry low miles (less than 50K) for less than $2000 and hundreds of ford rangers with v-6's for around $1500. What is the difference between an automotive 305 or 350 and a marine engine? Is it possible to put a truck engine in a boat without having to fabricate some kind of adapter?
I also have some concerns about the outdrive on this boat. It is supposed to be in good shape but again I have not looked into it at all. What is involved with rebuilding an outdrive and what should I look for without the engine running?
I can but this boat in the states in pretty decent shape for around $6000 and I can get this hull for less than $700. The hull / transom / and cabin are in good shape. If I were to ship an engine and an outdrive I would have more than $6K in it but I think I could probably ask around $8-9K for it down here because it costs about $3- 4K to ship a boat down here. I know several good engine mechanics here and the machine shop keeps the coast guard and navy outboards running so the labor and shop costs would be minimal with re-building but I don't have a lot of experience in analyzing an engine when it isn't running to determine what needs to be done to it. Shipping a block would cost close to what shipping an engine would cost. ANy advice would be greatly appreciated.
