Just got boat, need motor

[badbowtie]

I just picked up a 1985 century mirada sunday from a friend of a friend that was really really resonable. But he had a motor put in a couple years ago and was not able to use the boat last summer at all so the year before he ended up just pulling the drain plugs from manifolds and block but did not stick wire up in them to unclog them. He was not aware of this but last night when I went to start it ran and sounded great and was looking around down around the motor and saw some water dripping out of the block about 1/2 inch below the head surface on both port side and seen a crack on starbord side but was not leaking. Seen a couple cracks in the manifolds also but they were not leaking. I had the boat running for about 10 minutes it ran and sounded great. I guess I need to get a long block. I also got the old exhaust manifolds that were on the previous motor before he replaced it. He bought a complete motor from daddyo's marine so he gave me the old exhaust manifolds and the new intake old water pump. Can I use a chevy truck long block and just use my accesories. Just for a more budget way of atleast getting back on the water this summer. I am not sure how I am even going to remove the motor the hoist I used on my old boat will not even come close to lift this one out. Here is a pic of the boat from when I towed it to my dads sunday.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

Can I use a chevy truck long block and just use my accesories.

Ayuh,... I guess so, ya haven't said just What motor it is....

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

Sorry I forgot it has the 5.7 not really sure what year for sure but it has port side dipstick if I rember right that means something. I also called daddyo's and they told me it was a 2 piece main so 85 mercruiser. He gave me a estimate of 1900.00 for brand new and rebuilt 1700.00.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

Sorry I forgot it has the 5.7 not really sure what year for sure but it has port side dipstick if I rember right that means something.

Ayuh,.... That means it's a pre-79 block...

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

I will have to pour accetone in my other set of exhaut manifolds I have to see if they are any good and I also need to find out if my heads are good or if they got damaged also. I am going to call a couple local places and see if I undo everything what they will charge me to hoist motor out and I will build new one and then have them set it back in later. I called local machine shop and they will check my heads for a decent price. I am really thinking about shopping around for a good pre 79 chevy 4 bolt main block and use my heads and all my other parts.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

Well I looked at the extra set of manifolds he gave me and I would have to clean them up but they look pretty flacky inside. I remember last year when I did a motor in my old boat I remember seeing some were on here that there was a place I could get the manifolds and risers pretty cheap I am can not remember which marine place sold them.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

I was looking around for some ideas on how to build something to use to pull motor. Any ideas and pictures of things used.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

I was looking around for some ideas on how to build something to use to pull motor. Any ideas and pictures of things used.

i made this a few years ago. if i remember right it's 2 2x6s sandwiched together for the beam (thru bolted w/large washers for back plates), then 12' long 4x4's for the legs. misc. 2x4's to solid it up against racking. a cheapo chain hoist from somewhere.. 3 ton maybe?

i've used it two or three times so far. has worked well enough. imho, the biggest issue is being able to get the engine high enough to remove it from the boat, + have the chain long enough to let ya put it back down on the ground, or engine stand. the set up i have, barely complies.
if i remember right i had $150 or so (+ or -) in parts, wood, bolts and lag screws.

fwiw, that red bar above the engine is a leveler. turn a crank to adj. engine height fore and aft.. this tools really helps in removing and replacing i thought.. the bar is my neighbors..

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

You can also use a good size tree limb. Last time I pulled my Mercruiser engine, I was surprised how high you've got to get the motor to clear the side of the boat.

I was also surprised how easy it was to pull the engine--a simple 30 minute job for a good mechanic.

I think you can consider your present engine to be toast. It's a shame in that these engines don't wear out--they freeze up. And, these engines are so easy to properly winterize/drain the water out of.

With the internet, you can easily find many, many sources of new, used and rebuilt engines for Mercruisers. You can buy complete engines, or in components--depending on how mechanically competent you are. Remember that car engines are not marine engines--there are differences. You would do best to come back with marine parts.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

I have pulled the motor twice in my old 21' with my engine cherry picker with a insert I made so it would go hight enough. But this boat is just to tall to do that. I thought about the 4x4's for legs but was not sure what to run accross the top but that picture and details gives me some ideas. I wish my trusses in the garage were strong enough with 12' ceilings it would just be enough. I have plenty of knowledge to build the motor. I was thinking just using a 4 bolt main 350 block and use brass freeze out plugs and then use my marine heads with marine head gaskets since they are only have about 80 hours on them as long as they test good. I will also order a new set of manifolds and risers so far the best I have found is 379.99.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

then use my marine heads

Ayuh,.... There's Nothin' "Marine" about the heads on a marine motor....

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

I didn't figure there was but I would use them heads since they have like no use if they are still good. I may even use the cam from the frozen marine motor so I need a good short block not sure the most resonable place to get one. I have seen a couple on craigslist for 250.00 range but have not found any good deals on rebuilt ones yet.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

Oddly enough, I just bought a 1985 Century Miranda. I actually bought it for the trailer. I had to do a double take when I saw your post.
I'm pretty sure the motor and man's are all busted.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

... I wish my trusses in the garage were strong enough with 12' ceilings it would just be enough.

If you can get above the garage, 2x8's nailed together, and stood on edge, positioned ACROSS at least 6-8 of the truss beams, will easily support over 1000 lbs.

Consider the weight of 6 people standing in one room, Not an issue!
It's just a matter of spreading the load.

Or attach the beam to the ceiling for stability, and drop a 4x4 stud under each end to support the load.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

I can get above the garage ceiling but I wood have to cut a whole in the ceiling to run a chain thru since I have osb on the ceiling. I also not sure 16' foot 2x8's wood even do since My trusses are 4' on center made with 2x4's. I have a steal a-frame that a buddy has out at his place I will have to take my trailer to go get it. I am pretty sure it is only about 9' so I will have to use jack stands or cinder blocks to block it up higher. I am waiting on local machine shop to call me back to see about buying a used block have them go thru it then order the complete kit from ebay for like 325.00and got that route or just get a used short block from craigslist switch freeze out plugs and order marine gaskets. Or order a marine short block which the best I can find is like a grand.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

... My trusses are 4' on center made with 2x4's.

I was thinking you had a second floor and the trusses were 2x6's on 16" centers.
Your building code is not very restrictive!

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

I have been doing allot of reading on here today and am really thinking chevy 010 block or complete motor and switch the couple things I need to and get the boat back running. I was reading that mercruiser motors were all 2 bolt mains is that true and how do I know if the cam is two big to not injest water if I buy a complete motor. I also even read were (bomar76) said it is not even necassary to switch to marine head gaskets. When I replaced all gaskets 5 years ago on my old boat I never used marine gaskets for anything just brass freeze plugs. Not sure if I can just run auto gaskets and switch freeze plugs and run it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

Ayuh,.... bomar ain't been around for awhile, but he's still Right...
Most all head gaskets are composite now a days,...
Steel shim gaskets are pretty much a thing of the past....

Not that yer gonna see any Saltwater in Indiana either...

Ya want a pickup/ sedan motor, Not a Hot Rod motor....

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

Okay I may have located a 71 sedan motor that was built to 300hp that was built for a derby car and was used for one derby and he decided it was not for him. I hope to find more about the specs of the motor tomorrow. I may end up buying the manifolds and risers from doug russell marine that the cheapest I have found so far.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Just got boat, need motor

Speakrdude I sent you a pm. Looking for some misc things from the the boat.