help in buying used engine

[jlevac]

Hi, I need to replace my 1988 four winns vista 245 omc 5.7 260 engine. I don't have a lot of cash so I found one online with this description:


5.7 LITER ( 260 HP ) V-8 MARINE MOTOR. COMPRESSION READING WAS A SUPER GOOD 175, 175, 175, 180, 175, 180, 175 AND 180. OIL PRESSURE 40 PSI WITH 14 VOLTS. THIS MOTOR WAS APPARENTLY POORLY WINTERIZED AND BLOCK AND MANIFOLD HAD ( EXTERNAL ) CRACKS. ENGINE AND MANIFOLD WAS SENT OUT AND PROFESSIONALLY WELDED AND SEALED BY MARINA ON LAKE ERIE AND PRESSURE CHECKED. OWNER OF BOAT NEVER PICKED MOTOR UP OR PAID FOR IT. WE PURCHASED AND RAN OUR CHECKS, RAN FOR APPROX. 15 MINS. RAN GREAT, NO LEAKS, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE. HAS BEEN REPAINTED ( NOT THE GREATEST ). MOTOR COMES COMPLETE WITH FLYWHEEL, MOTOR COUUPLING, BELLHOUSING, STARTER AND SELONOID, FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS, FUEL / WATER SEPARATOR, CARTER FUEL PUMP, ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT HOUSING, PULLEYS AND BELTS, 4 BBL QUADRAJET CARB, SPARK ARRESTOR, EXHAUST MANIFOLDS WITH RISERS, SHIFT LINKAGE, TILT / TRIM SELONOIDS, DISTRIBUTOR WITH ACCEL SUPER STOCK COIL, IGNITION MODULE, AND COMPLETE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WITH 50 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER. THIS IS A GOOD RUNNING MOTOR, SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRETTY MUCH DROP IT IN AND GO.



Is there anything I should be concerned with? Will a welded block and manifold hold?
Thanks
J

 

[chiefalen]

Re: help in buying used engine

No way, do not buy that pos.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: help in buying used engine

Dont buy it. Cast iron is extreamly hard to weld. Though wth the proper equipment and technique it can be done to perfection. Its costly and usually reserved for expensive, hard or impossible to replace items like a Ford Super Cobra Jet exhaust manifold on a fullly restored 67 Mustang. Its sounds to me like they used JB Weld or some other epoxy... just my 2 cents

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: help in buying used engine

Like Chief said "pos". If manifold froze the block froze and nothing listed about repairing it. As for welding if it was done correctly it will hold. I have welded a bunch of manifolds for customers all you need is a nickle rod, and red wrench.

 

[Zackman]

Re: help in buying used engine

Well actually cast iron requires preheat of at least 900 F for brazing and 1300 F for welding to be done properly. I would doubt that this was done, since as previously discussed, it's expensive and takes a very experienced welder.​

 

[mthieme]

Re: help in buying used engine

I wouldn't put it in my boat.
'nuff said.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: help in buying used engine

As was said, stay away from that engine. It's trouble waiting to happen. If money is an issue preventing you from getting a rebuilt, look around. There are used 260 engines out there. Find one that matches the engine presently in your boat. Have it checked out with compression and leak-down tests. If they check out OK, pull the valve covers and look inside for any sign of water intrusion or engine sludge. You may need to pull the exhaust manifolds to get the covers off, but then you can also check the condition of the manifolds themselves. I've done this with an engine for my boat and got a low-hour engine with almost new manifolds for the cost of a new set of manifolds. Good luck. Hy