Boo! Hiss!

[jayhanig]

Just when I thought it was safe to take a breath, bad news came my way. The little straight 4 Mercruiser engine on my boat apparently developed a crack in its exhaust manifold and let salt water in. Then when I winterized it antifreeze got in there too. In any case, the engine is now toast. Locked up with lots of internal rust apparent on teardown. Bummer.

Well, phooey. My mechanic has a line on a few used 3.0 liter engines which may or may not pan out. I found a supposedly new engine still in the crate up in Asheville (NC) that the owner claims he paid $1750 for but is willing to let go for $1250. I have no idea if that's a scam or not but it might be a good deal for me if it's still available and legit. For another $1000 I could put a fresh water cooling system on it and hopefully never suffer this sort of disaster again.

Film at 11. :facepalm:

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

well, read up on the 3.0's. not every 3.0 will fit every boat. lots of variables, especialy in the exaust area.
just my opinion, ive bought tons of engines ove the years, for everything from lawnmowers to trucks, to boats. there is a golden rule in engine buying, " if you cant hear it run, RUN" the better the deal, the more important this rule becomes, if its a used engine, multaply that X 10. the exception, a new/ rebuilt, from a reputable rebuilder, that has a good warranty.

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

I concur. That is a lot of money for an engine you can't test. I'd think for that price you are pretty close to buying an overhauled long block. The local shop here quoted me $2200 to do a 6 cyl engine, and iboats has engine in a box for $3000.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

... For another $1000 I could put a fresh water cooling system on it and hopefully never suffer this sort of disaster again...

It depends on what type of CLOSED cooling system you install. Not all include the exhaust manifold, and NONE include the exhuast riser. Risers rust internally too, and let raw water down into the cylinders.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

Update: I mentioned a new in the box engine available in Asheville, NC. I had my mechanic call this fellow up and after some research, he feels we can use this engine in my boat. The fellow selling it runs a construction outfit up there and is easy to find on the internet. He doesn't hide behind pseudonyms... I know exactly where to find him; I know his name and his wife's name. Here's his story:

He had a Bayliner Capri with the same engine in it that was supposedly junk according to his local boat guy: needed a complete new engine that he would be charged $5500 for and then another $3000 for the install. Well, he said the hell with that and purchased this engine from another source. Then he found out his original engine problems were due to a faulty gasket. He had the gasket replaced and hasn't had another problem with that engine. Which leaves this new one sitting in a crate that he no longer has a use for. It is not a complete engine but a long block GM. I'll be going from a 2.5 liter to a 3.0 liter Mercruiser but it is compatible with my current gear.

I was going to drive up there Monday but it turns out that's President's Day and the banks are all closed. So now it's going to be Tuesday. I'm not looking forward to the drive... North Carolina goes a long way from east to west.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

Another update: I drove up to Asheville, NC yesterday and returned with a shrink wrapped new 3.0 liter long block: 14 hours round trip. The engine appears to be as advertised and has been delivered to my mechanic for installation. I brought along a Harbor Freight engine hoist to get it loaded on my truck in Asheville and it worked perfectly. For some reason, the ride home was much quicker than the ride up there.

I want to know why I had to wash all the dead bugs off the front of my truck today. It's February! Anybody who questions global warming will just have to ignore me walking around in shorts and a tee shirt today while I washed my truck in front of my house. Somebody forgot to notify winter that it's supposed to be around this time of the year.

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

let us know how the engines fires. and what you final total cost is on the replacment....

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

Congrats on your good find! Keep us posted on how it turns out.
Global warming ? It has snowed the past 2 years in a row here in north Texas. Usually only happens once every 5 or so years... maybe.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

Just when I thought it was safe to take a breath, bad news came my way. The little straight 4 Mercruiser engine on my boat apparently developed a crack in its exhaust manifold and let salt water in. Then when I winterized it antifreeze got in there too. In any case, the engine is now toast. Locked up with lots of internal rust apparent on teardown. Bummer.

Well, phooey. My mechanic has a line on a few used 3.0 liter engines which may or may not pan out. I found a supposedly new engine still in the crate up in Asheville (NC) that the owner claims he paid $1750 for but is willing to let go for $1250. I have no idea if that's a scam or not but it might be a good deal for me if it's still available and legit. For another $1000 I could put a fresh water cooling system on it and hopefully never suffer this sort of disaster again.

Film at 11. :facepalm:

Ayuh,.... For the sake of forensics,... Did you DRAIN the block, 'n manifold BEFORE ya winterized it,..??

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

Ayuh,.... For the sake of forensics,... Did you DRAIN the block, 'n manifold BEFORE ya winterized it,..??

Yes. Or no, depending on what you mean by "winterized" it. The engine was run with antifreeze and then drained. My understanding is that my engine damage wasn't a matter of freeze expansion but rather of salt water corrosion eating out the exhaust manifold.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

let us know how the engines fires. and what you final total cost is on the replacment....

I'll do it. Film at 11?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boo! Hiss!

Yes. Or no, depending on what you mean by "winterized" it. The engine was run with antifreeze and then drained. My understanding is that my engine damage wasn't a matter of freeze expansion but rather of salt water corrosion eating out the exhaust manifold.

Ayuh,.... I'd love to see the damaged parts when available....