Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

[enginesilo]

So I've owned a 3.0L with an Alpha one gen two for a few years and the engine seems like a bullet proof setup, and hasn't given me any troubles (yet). I'm considering another boat that is a 2001 with a 5.7L Mercruiser with the alpha one gen two outdrive.

What is the difference in maintenance and repair costs when talking about a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L? I realize the 5.7L is 8 cylinders vs 4 cylinders so i'm curious how that translates into costs for maintenance and repairs?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

Ayuh,.... 4 extra spark plugs when ya do a tune-up....

Replacement motors are only a few hundred difference...

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

Ayuh,.... 4 extra spark plugs when ya do a tune-up....

Replacement motors are only a few hundred difference...

That's the exact answer I was hoping to hear
Figured 4 extra plugs, extra spark plug wires, an extra exhaust manifold when that time comes, etc. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

I thought a replacement motor would be much more so that is good to hear.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

There are just so many 350s out there... It keeps the cost low.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

There are just so many 350s out there... It keeps the cost low.

That makes sense. Anyone know how much it costs to replace a 3.0L or a 5.7L? Don't need to, but I stopped by a local marina that had a 2002 sea ray that was repowered with a 5.0L or 5.7L engine and the guy said the owner spent $18K to replace the engine and labor. That sounds absurd, or is that accurate? Couldn't imagine it would be worth it at that point since you could probably buy a different used boat for that price

 

[Bondo]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

Ayuh,... A rebuilt long block runs a couple grand on a pallet....

Gettin' Somebodyelse to put it in the boat is the Expense...

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

Ayuh,... A rebuilt long block runs a couple grand on a pallet....

Gettin' Somebodyelse to put it in the boat is the Expense...

I'll be glad to do it for $16,000.
(And no offense intended to any of the boat mechanics out there - you guys earn your money. Especially on some boats with the different designs and access points!)

 

[Don S]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

but I stopped by a local marina that had a 2002 sea ray that was repowered with a 5.0L or 5.7L engine and the guy said the owner spent $18K to replace the engine and labor.

Might want to check with that shop again, they probably meant a complete repower that included a complete engine and drive assembly. What you are talking about is replacing a long block (aka repairing), not repowering.

 

[MBAKER]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

18K to replace the engine does sound absurd unless its like Don S. said, engine and drive are all new..

I just went through this sort of deal replacing a tired 305 with new 350 long block. Marine shop did the engine removal and replacement, I did all of the dressing/undressing to save a little cash, and a local machine shop did the engine build. Marine shop bill was $825 (8 hours +/-) to remove and replace the engine and drive. My time was free to redress the new engine, but I would guess another 3-400 if the shop had done it. Engine bill was around 2500. So all told it was about $3500-4000 to replace the engine by the time you figure gaskets, fluids, misc etc. Of course all depends on labor rates, and your engine cost too.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

Might want to check with that shop again, they probably meant a complete repower that included a complete engine and drive assembly. What you are talking about is replacing a long block (aka repairing), not repowering.

It was the same outdrive, but the actual engine was completely new so maybe that's where the cost comes in with all the add ons (Pumps, Carb, Etc). Still seems crazy high but he could have also just been a salesman blowing smoke up you know what.

18K to replace the engine does sound absurd unless its like Don S. said, engine and drive are all new..

I just went through this sort of deal replacing a tired 305 with new 350 long block. Marine shop did the engine removal and replacement, I did all of the dressing/undressing to save a little cash, and a local machine shop did the engine build. Marine shop bill was $825 (8 hours +/-) to remove and replace the engine and drive. My time was free to redress the new engine, but I would guess another 3-400 if the shop had done it. Engine bill was around 2500. So all told it was about $3500-4000 to replace the engine by the time you figure gaskets, fluids, misc etc. Of course all depends on labor rates, and your engine cost too.

Now THAT is more in line with what I was expecting. Always estimated between $4K-$8K as a guess not knowing actual price. $18K just seemed crazy high and I couldn't see how an average joe could do that when a new boat would be less. As I mentioned I'm not doing this, but you never know what the future holds.

 

[MBAKER]

Re: Maintenance on a 3.0L vs. a 5.7L Mercruiser

yeah a lot could depend on whether it was a long block replacement and re-using accessories, or if it was a complete engine package including accessories ready to plug in and go. Long block might run you $2500 but a complete engine package might be $7500+ (guess) depending on what engine it was.