What to do next?

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ckgreenman

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Re: What to do next?

Don S said:
I take it your "Information from Mercriser" was your dealer, kind of figured that. A "Real" Merc dealer would have never wanted to install an aftermarket rebuild in your boat to begin with. He would have told you the problems with the rebuilders and would have tried to talk you out of it. But would have used an aftermarket if you insisted. But he probably wouldn't have suggested one, because that would have made him responsible if it failed.
Personally have run into several aftermarket engine rebuilders that put out really junk engines. Good news is that I have never heard them mentioned on this forum.
You can do it yourself, but you better be a mechanic and understand what you are doing and what to look for. There is a lot more to it than just putting parts together.
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No. The information is from a local boat mechanic (who initially found the low compression) and a local race shop mechanic (who is the guy I took my heads to at the recommendation of the boat mechanic). The very first mechanic (the one who did the engine swap) is the one who should have found the fuel problem and the one who should have talked me into a new motor. But if the info I'm getting from my current guys is wrong then I don't know what the right course of action is. Do I have one of them rebuild my engine? I know my way around an engine but I don't consider myself a mechanic however I do have a lot more knowledge.
 
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ckgreenman

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Re: What to do next?

Bond-o said:
Ayuh,... The only thing you've been Ripped-Off for is the lack of regular maintenance items that weren't verified by the 1st mechanic...

I think there's more story here,...
You were out running this thing at wot, with a Known fuel system Issue,...
How many other maintenance points are in barely acceptable condition,..??:rolleyes:
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Well the fuel issue wasn't known until I pulled the boat out and the compression test revealed a problem. The boat hasn't been inthe water since then. The funny thing is that if the first mechanic had found the fuel problem he likely would have save himself a lot of labor. As for other items, that remains to be see.
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: What to do next?

One problem you have now, if you plan on rebuilding or have someone else do the job, is that you don't have a block. If it's already bored out to .060. It's not worth rebuilding.
Merc, Volvo, nor OMC when they existed, never recommended anything of .030 over sized on the bores. You also need the proper heads, and a good crank, and a good cam.
Decision time
 
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ckgreenman

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Re: What to do next?

Don S said:
One problem you have now, if you plan on rebuilding or have someone else do the job, is that you don't have a block. If it's already bored out to .060. It's not worth rebuilding.
Merc, Volvo, nor OMC when they existed, never recommended anything of .030 over sized on the bores. You also need the proper heads, and a good crank, and a good cam.
Decision time
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Exactly. Question do I just go find a 350 somewhere and rebuild it or just bite the bullet and get another one already built? I know people have recommended Rapido and the price is right but after this last engine I'm a little gun shy. I've seen 350s locally from the right year, non vortec, (one in particular is from a a996 chevy 1500) but am I just asking for trouble?
 
FreeBeeTony

FreeBeeTony

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Re: What to do next?

Judging by what I have read here I'm not sure of your capabilities.......

If I were you I would get a longblock (from Rapido or other reputable source), get new risers/manifolds, install all your other externals and go from there........

Just my $0.02........
 
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ckgreenman

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Re: What to do next?

FreeBeeTony said:
Judging by what I have read here I'm not sure of your capabilities.......

If I were you I would get a longblock (from Rapido or other reputable source), get new risers/manifolds, install all your other externals and go from there........

Just my $0.02........
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Perhaps. As long as I can be sure I get a match set. Of course "Reputable source" does allude to that.

Failing in that I'm comfortable starting with a short block and a well built set of heads and putting everything together myself.
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: What to do next?

Just look at the top of the pistons. They will be stamped with how much it was bored oversize.
 
proshadetree

proshadetree

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Re: What to do next?

Ive seen several bored 60 over no overheat and ran to death,Merc omc and berkley.Id do it if the block checked out,crank and bore..Get yourself a set of heads new manifolds and bolt it together.Remember this is a no warranty engine.If you want a warranty pay a dealer to do it right the first time.If the block craps out pull it and find a new block to rework and drop back in with your reworked heads.You got to like pulling engines for the no warranty option.
 
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ckgreenman

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Messages
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Re: What to do next?

proshadetree said:
Ive seen several bored 60 over no overheat and ran to death,Merc omc and berkley.Id do it if the block checked out,crank and bore..Get yourself a set of heads new manifolds and bolt it together.Remember this is a no warranty engine.If you want a warranty pay a dealer to do it right the first time.If the block craps out pull it and find a new block to rework and drop back in with your reworked heads.You got to like pulling engines for the no warranty option.
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I'm thinking this is what I might end up doing unless I come into some money soon (or I win the Lotto).
 
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ckgreenman

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Re: What to do next?

Ok, I figured I'd give everyone an update. After much deliberation (and not being able to find decent parts locally), I've decided to go with a Rapido motor with a HP upgrade. Raul said it would only be $185 to upgrade the cam and springs which (according to him) should bring me up to around 300HP which is the max for my drive.

My question now is, has anyone had one delivered to a residence? My concern is whether it will be possible to get the engine off the truck without having a hoist available.
 
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ckgreenman

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Re: What to do next? (Update)

Re: What to do next? (Update)

I'm finally getting around to getting my boat back on the water but now I've hit a small snag. I bought a Mercruiser Vortec engine locally and I missed one small detail. Even though the block is a 880 casting it was not drilled for a mechanical pump. So I need an electric one that delivers 7-8 psi like the original mechanical pump but I have no idea how much flow I need. The Mercruiser service manual for my original engine doesn't specify the flow rate, only the pressure.

Does anyone know how many gallons per hour I need? The Carb is a weber 4bbl and according to the manual is 750 CFM. Can anyone recommend a specific pump?


Thanks,
 
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oldsub86

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Sep 9, 2008
Messages
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Re: What to do next?

You need to find a copy of this book:

Small Block Chevy Marine Performance

by Dennis Moore

It will provide answers to many of the questions you appear to have.

Randy
 
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ckgreenman

Seaman
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Messages
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Re: What to do next?

proshadetree said:
80 gph will be plenty
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Sorry for the late response. The guy I bought the engine from was able to get ma a stock pump for about $100. I think it's part number J1011 or something like that and he was also able to get all the brackets. Now that it's winter I'll probably work with him to get the engine back in the boat so it's ready to go in the spring.
 
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ckgreenman

Seaman
Joined
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Messages
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Re: What to do next?

oldsub86 said:
You need to find a copy of this book:

Small Block Chevy Marine Performance

by Dennis Moore

It will provide answers to many of the questions you appear to have.

Randy
Click to expand...

I've tried. Nobody has it and the publisher can't even get me a copy. The one copy I DID find was $325, I don't think so.... I've even tried finding an electronic copy to no avail.
 
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