Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

[DigiDean]

I have a question for you seasoned boat pros. I own a 2005 Sea ray 1856 Sport, with a 4.3L IO engine. In the years I?ve owned this, I?ve always had someone winterize the boat for me, but last year I STUPIDLY decided to do it myself. Well, guess what ? I am not mechanically inclined and I did it wrong. Now I'm told the block and manifolds are cracked and my boat needs a new engine.

I took it to my local dealership for an estimate, and they state that it will take $2000 labor to install a $6500 remanufactured engine - total cost $8500. While I love this boat ? this is almost 75% of what the entire boat is worth and I'm really struggling to pay that much for this.

So after you all shake your heads at me and say I?m an idiot (I admit it ? I really messed this one up and will never do this again), I have a question. I?m looking for advise if you might suggest some other method (cheaper) to get my boat running again. I?ve seen a website (www.usenginesinc.com) where you can get the block for this engine for a lot cheaper ? so I?m wondering if there?s a less expensive way for me to get my boat back in the water.

Any advise you can give is appreciated! Thanks ahead of time.

Dean in Richmond, VA

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

Here is another company to check out... those engines will need some parts swapped over, and you still need the new manis.

I doubt a marine dealer is gonna put in one from either site for you.

So your doin it yourself, or paying a mechanic to do it.

Were you using the dealer to winterize or someone else.

 

[DigiDean]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

I was doing it myself. I bought a Winterizing kit from West Marine, and did a bunch of research on the web on how to do it. Obviously, I did something wrong.

I can not find the link on your reply - can you send it again.

Thanks for the advise!

 

[sharkin95]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

I would say if your mechanically inclined, to buy a reman long block for $1,500-2,000.00 off the web and just buy new ex manifolds for $300-350.00 put all your parts on the new block and 24 hrs later your back in the water or buy a used engine off of e-bay.com for $1500-$2000.00 and $700.00-$800.00 to install it and your back in the water in 24 hrs....Thats a lot better than $8,000.00....

 

[DigiDean]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

First - let me say "Thank You"for your advise. Being a new boater, and a non-mechanically inclined, I appreciate your advise.

So - my question. Since I am obviously not mechanically inclined (after all - I ruined the motor), do you have any suggestions on where I could find a capable and qualified mechanic who could do this repair. I was thinking of a carefully worded Craigslist ad, but wanted to see if you had any other advise first.

Again - thank you very much!

Dean

 

[bnicov]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

Check your local yellow pages for marine mechanics.

 

[rad36]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

before you get an engine from usengines, check out these websites and type in usengine. complaintsboard.com, merchantcircle.com, yelp.com, I bought 4 454's from them and 3 failed,{1=broken crank, 1=cam went flat in less then 12 hrs resulting in loss of oil pres., the 3rd was full of metal shavings and was never ran} 3 of the 4{the 3 i ran, all had rocker nuts back off, had to replace all rocker stunds and nuts at my expense.... there is a reason they are cheapest you will find online. they also have many excuses not to honor warranty, and yes... I used a profesional mechanics for install, one of with was a certified merc machanic over 30 yrs. I did have good luck with s&j engines in spokane.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

.... a $6500 remanufactured engine

You don't list which model 4.3 you have whether mpi or tks but if you simply google:
new mercury 4.3 engine

You'll find complete brand new, right from Mercury 4.3 mpi engines for not much more than $6500 and that was with a simple search that some more digging might find it for less. Obviously there would be some shipping charges or maybe some other incidentals.

So is the $6500 they quote you really a reman engine or a brand new engine and you stated incorrectly in your post?

Maybe time to find someone who can get a brand new engine instead of a reman/rebuild. Yes, I understand there could be some issues and limitations with that on who can buy one or who could install it for keeping the warranty valid; just throwing out the idea.

Mark

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

assuming only the block and heads have cracks, you can get a decent remanufactured 4.3 long block for about $2k and a new crate motor for about $3k

here is just one example
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MLL-MBP262CT/

 

[Don S]

Re: Looking for advise on a new Merc 4.3L engine

Here is a complete engine, remanned by Mercruiser, fully dressed. Retail is around $6600. Has full 3 year warranty from Mercruiser as well.

http://www.ebasicpower.com/engines/mercruiser/4-3L-Alpha.pdf

As far as the labor goes, have no idea what all it includes. Probably drive service and other items and with the way boats are built today, hard to say what it will take to get the old engine out and the new one in.