Labor cost to Replace 1985 OMC 3.0

[fburke]

Looking to have a marine mechanic swap my 1985 3.0 OMC motor with a new Long Block.

I am only interested in the time and labor charge for this, I already found a very reasonable local place to get the motor not a....with a 2 year warrantee

What is a fair estimate to do the actually work? It doesn’t look that bad I figure with the experience and correct tools maybe about 10 hours?

Should I look for someone that charges hourly or do it as a flat rate job?

One good thing in my area in the Northeast in there are a lot of hungry marine mechanic’s looking to do some moonlighting..i just don;pt want to be taking out to sea….

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Labor cost to Replace 1985 OMC 3.0

well, honestly, I think 10 hours is excessive.. a good mech with the proper tools should be able to pull it off in the 4 to 6 hour range.. BUT, this is assuming you have all the parts ready.. that will include gasket sets for outdrive, manifolds, risers etc ( depending on the configuration..) and of course the proper lifts, and maybe even you throwing in a hand... you might as well change everything as long as you got the engine out, somethings like transom mounts and exhaust y pipes cannot be gotten to unless the engine is out.. so replacing, bellows, cables, gaskets etc should be considered before you have a mech make an offer

Throw an ad in your local help wanted on craigslist - they will crawl out from under rocks.. just make sure they know OMC I would think 75 an hour would be acceptable, but bet you can find someone to do it for 50 an hour

At a shop you can expect 95 to 125 an hour ( but then again, you have recourse if someone hoses something up)

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Labor cost to Replace 1985 OMC 3.0

moonlighters = guys that aren't busy at the marina because they aren't very good.

the best techs get all the hours they want already. In my experience, some guy that has the balls to compete with his employer for revenue work has no conscience when it comes to ripping you off.

do it yourself and take your time doing it right, or take it to a reputable business. - that's just my 2 cents.

p.s. - I don't think anyone makes a new long block 3.0 with the right crankshaft bolt pattern for your 1985 coupler. So if you mean new literally, you want to do some more research. You need a 3.0 with a 2 pc rear main seal (pre 1990) used or rebuilt are your only options.