Rebuilt or new? That is the question

[Julians]

Hi All,

So I have a 20 year old 305ci (5.0L) engine in my 94 Wellcraft. After finding water in the cylinders and compression readings lower than 80psi in several cylinders. I am wanting to change out the Block and heads. There are lots of rebuilders on line but i have no experience with any of them. Does anybody have any suggestions from past experience?

Thanks
Steve

 

[alldodge]

Re: Rebuilt or new? That is the question

That is the question many deal with. Unless you know your rebuilder there is no telling what you will wind up with. Just a few months back a guy posted a thread about an engine he picked up from a slick website which was in my old home town of Louisville, KY. After pulling the motor apart he found he was taken to the cleaners and the engine looked good on the outside but next to nothing was renewed inside.

With that and I take it you will not be doing it yourself, not counting machine work. I would suggest picking one up from Merc as a repower, or buy a new crate motor. If you can tell us what area your located in there could be someone here which could point you to someone they know.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Rebuilt or new? That is the question

Michigan Motorz or Rapido Marine. Both do excellent work.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rebuilt or new? That is the question

Hi All,

So I have a 20 year old 305ci (5.0L) engine in my 94 Wellcraft. After finding water in the cylinders and compression readings lower than 80psi in several cylinders. I am wanting to change out the Block and heads. There are lots of rebuilders on line but i have no experience with any of them. Does anybody have any suggestions from past experience?

Thanks
Steve

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Donno where you are, but have ya checked 'round yer local market,...

Yer local GM Dealer can sell ya a brand new long block, in various configurations, for 'bout twice what yer local Machine Shop can rebuild yer motor, in a similar configurations for,...

 

[mr 88]

Re: Rebuilt or new? That is the question

Find out where the local stock car people get there engines rebuilt. Those machine shops would be out of business in a heartbeat if they cut any corners or did lousy work.Unless you have deep pockets I would agree with Bondo,save the extra dough that you would spend for a crate motor and put it in your gas tank.I was looking at some motors on Craigs to replace mine and with what they wanted it was a no brainer. I went with the rebuild. Now I know what I have,not someone else word that it has less than 400 hours etc.Just about every marine motor looks new from the outside.Do not judge a book by its cover.

 

[Julians]

Re: Rebuilt or new? That is the question

Thanks Guy's,

Yes my gut feeling is that rebuilts can go either way depending on multiple variables including who is doing the rebuilding and what there standards are that day. So im leaning toward Merc Rebuilt...logic being they have bettter quality assurance standards? My other thought was buy a New mr Goodwrench from Jegs and change out the cam, head gaskets and freeze out plugs? Thought comments....emotional outbursts??

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Rebuilt or new? That is the question

If he was going to go the new route wouldn't it be best to get a 350?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rebuilt or new? That is the question

Thanks Guy's,

Yes my gut feeling is that rebuilts can go either way depending on multiple variables including who is doing the rebuilding and what there standards are that day. So im leaning toward Merc Rebuilt...logic being they have bettter quality assurance standards? My other thought was buy a New mr Goodwrench from Jegs and change out the cam, head gaskets and freeze out plugs? Thought comments....emotional outbursts??

Ayuh,.... Buy it from yer Local GM Dealer,...

No parts changin' needed,... Buy the 350 Truck/ RV motor,...

Ya wanta Fly,.... ask 'em 'bout the HT383,....

 

[thumpar]

Re: Rebuilt or new? That is the question

If he was going to go the new route wouldn't it be best to get a 350?

That is what I was going to post. Even if used/rebuilt you could get the 350 and swap in place of the 305.