havoc_squad
Senior Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
- Messages
- 739
I am currently planning an inspection of a 1997 Sea Ray 190 with a mercrusier 4.3L V6 engine consider as a project boat to purchase.
For $1,000 with decent interior from the photos of it, the engine from the description is probably to be written off as a total loss. It says head gasket, but that could be freeze damage, who knows what.
I'm planning to locally source a used GM truck 4.3L V6 engine with a typical used engine warranty depending on which type of V6 is it (vortec vs non-vortec). I've also expected that one or both of the exhaust manifolds may have to be replaced as part of this.
The big unknown for the drive system of course will be the outdrive. That's the item that will make or break whether this attempt is probably worthwhile.
Since I'm not going to be able to get a compression test and leak down test done, I'm trying to determine what is my checklist of items.
1. Make sure all parts on the engine and outdrive are there and not damaged or left disassembled.
2. Check for gimble steering arm play and ensure no damage to gimble ring or gimble housing.
3. Inspect outdrive for critical damage/neglect that would make it a no-go.
4. Check the drain plug of outdrive for any water if the owner will allow it.
5. Check the gear lube reservoir if has any water intrusion/milkshake.
6. Determine from the owner if the engine can be ran as is temporarily to verify quickly a few things. Drive shifting would be the big one I would think)
7. If engine is dead, check that shift linkage and drive shaft works as expected when put into gear and taken out of gear.
8. Check drive trim system for proper operation.
Feel free to list any checklist items that I might have forgotten for the drive system/engine inspection.
Also, other than a light and phone, list any common inspection tools that might be important to bring.
I've already created a thread involving the fiberglass hull/structure inspection items for checking. However, I'm needing in this forum topic to focus on the items I inspect for the drive/engine system.
For $1,000 with decent interior from the photos of it, the engine from the description is probably to be written off as a total loss. It says head gasket, but that could be freeze damage, who knows what.
I'm planning to locally source a used GM truck 4.3L V6 engine with a typical used engine warranty depending on which type of V6 is it (vortec vs non-vortec). I've also expected that one or both of the exhaust manifolds may have to be replaced as part of this.
The big unknown for the drive system of course will be the outdrive. That's the item that will make or break whether this attempt is probably worthwhile.
Since I'm not going to be able to get a compression test and leak down test done, I'm trying to determine what is my checklist of items.
1. Make sure all parts on the engine and outdrive are there and not damaged or left disassembled.
2. Check for gimble steering arm play and ensure no damage to gimble ring or gimble housing.
3. Inspect outdrive for critical damage/neglect that would make it a no-go.
4. Check the drain plug of outdrive for any water if the owner will allow it.
5. Check the gear lube reservoir if has any water intrusion/milkshake.
6. Determine from the owner if the engine can be ran as is temporarily to verify quickly a few things. Drive shifting would be the big one I would think)
7. If engine is dead, check that shift linkage and drive shaft works as expected when put into gear and taken out of gear.
8. Check drive trim system for proper operation.
Feel free to list any checklist items that I might have forgotten for the drive system/engine inspection.
Also, other than a light and phone, list any common inspection tools that might be important to bring.
