Pulled Mercruiser 305 engine - part out or sell complete?

[tmh]

Well, I went ahead and bought a complete 350 engine to repower my boat. Soon I will have to sell my old engine. it's a 1985 mercruiser 305 20ohp. Thunderbolt IV. Runs well, starts great, etc. New plugs and tune-up last season. 2bbl carb (don't know who makes) rebuilt last season.

I figure complete engine fetches $500-1100 on eBay depending on if anyone in my area wants it (shipping adds a lot so maybe get less $$). Looking on eBay, I see the T-bolt IV used going for around $100. I could sell components then sell the block separately.

What do you guys think? Any specific other items from that engine you think fetch a few $$$ used?

 

[renny1]

Re: Pulled Mercruiser 305 engine - part out or sell complete?

my personal opinion is to wait another month or so for the boating season to start and then everyone who hasnt looked after engines over the winter are going to need spare parts in a hurry so small items big bucks
just my opinion it works over here in the UK where spares are 3 times the price of what you guys pay
patience is a virtue

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pulled Mercruiser 305 engine - part out or sell complete?

You already pulled it? I think I would have advertised it while it was still in the boat so that a buyer could hear it run.

 

[tmh]

Re: Pulled Mercruiser 305 engine - part out or sell complete?

You already pulled it? I think I would have advertised it while it was still in the boat so that a buyer could hear it run.

Yeah, good point. I haven't pulled it and will keep it in the boat for now, as you said, for potential buyers to check it out. It's 30 deg. here now so it's going to be w hile before I have it out of storage even.

I just put the engine on Craigslist (free, no time limit) at $1100 which is what I paid for the slightly nerer 350 engine. If i get $800 for mine I'll be darn happy, settle for maybe $600, but not until the beginning of boating season here. I'm in no hurry so i'll hold out for a good price now.

 

[John_S]

Re: Pulled Mercruiser 305 engine - part out or sell complete?

I think a 305, especially the non-vortec, would be a difficult sell. Anyone repowering from a 305, would need to be in desperate shape to not upgrade to some form of a 350. Maybe if the price is low enough, someone would be looking for something just to repower and sell. The low-end of your range, seems viable, but as you stated, it will be up to your local market conditions.

As far as parting out, I was able to get decent and fair prices last winter (ebay), on my 350 heads, cam, intake, carb, and misc parts. They funded a decent % of the upgrade I did in the spring.

I would be forthcoming with the condition. Your prior post of the engines performance in your boat, would indicate to me, that it maybe tired.

"I have a heavy 1985 19' BR (maybe 3100 lbs) with a Merc 305 2-bbl Alpha one 200 hp, I think 1.65 ratio, not sure. Gets me about 41 mph w/ 17" prop WOT 4200. I have done ALL recommended to get a bit more out of it....that's all it has and can't get to proper WOT range w/ 19" prop."

Do a compresson test, and if possible leak-down. If the numbers are on the low side, your best option will probably be parting out.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pulled Mercruiser 305 engine - part out or sell complete?

Do a compresson test, and if possible leak-down. If the numbers are on the low side, your best option will probably be parting out.

Ayuh,.... Good Point.......

I think the Best way to maximize the money of something like that would be piece by piece....
Especially on ebay,....
Even when you get down to the Bare Long Block,......
It's worth a Hundred Bucks, as a Core motor, to the poor sap who Froze,+ Split his motor....
Ya know how Some guys just havta Build their own,.....

I just had that same motor, Complete on a pallet given to me, Just for the Asking......

 

[tmh]

Re: Pulled Mercruiser 305 engine - part out or sell complete?

OK, thanks. I think what I'll do is try to get around $600-700 for the complete engine while it's still on the boat and can be run......and not go too much lower on price yet. Then, once I make the swap to the new engine, if the 305 hasn't sold I'll part it out on eBay. I see the T-Bolt IV used fetching $100+ and the 2bbl carb around $50 and some other parts sell for a few $$$. then I can try to get something for the core.

I'm not too knowledgeable about engines, so tearing one down would be a great learning exercise for me and my boys! NOT having to put it back together is an added bonus.

Any specific parts from the mercruiser 305 that no one has mentioned that have a decent demand in the used market?

thanks again to all.

 

[John_S]

Re: Pulled Mercruiser 305 engine - part out or sell complete?

"Any specific parts from the mercruiser 305 that no one has mentioned that have a decent demand in the used market?"

If it came off the engine, and you don't want it, ebay it. Just about everything sells.