Engine Rebuild Worth It?

J

Jdahl73

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
7
I have a 1995 Chris Craft with a 5.0L OMC Cobra engine. It overheated, cracked head gasket, flooded, etc. Anyway, my mechanic has looked it over thoroughly and to rebuild the engine, repair a hole in the bellows and fix a leak in the outdrive is being quoted at $9k. Obviously that is a huge amount of money but will I end up with a virtually new boat such that it is worth it? I am not mechanically inclined to do the repairs on my own ($4,700 of it is labor). Should I try to just scrap it and get some value for the trailer and the body of the boat instead and start over with a new boat? Thoughts, experience, advice appreciated.
 
M

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

Is the rest of the boat perfect? Upholstery real nice? Hull all shiny? Still have all the covers and tops and all in good shape? Any sentimental feelings or family ties tagging along with this boat? Did/Do you really like this one? or have you been thinking it is time for a change, maybe not enough power or ...?


Other things to consider....
  • OMC is out of business BUT parts are still available for the OMC Cobra stuff. Still all in all not the same as having a Volvo or Merc unit as far as longterm serviceability.
  • Compare to other boats you could go get right now for $9k, some may be ok and some may need the same stuff you need now.

The first point above may be the most important thing to consider with a rebuild as far as value received versus how much you like this boat. It may not have the same value retention as a Volvo or Merc would, no matter how reliable or good the fixes were.

If it was me and the boat is really nice and I would really miss it then I would try to do as much myself as possible. But I like to keep things alive and enjoy the challenges.

If you have no place to work on it nor the tools, time, skills, etc then only you can determine how deep your pockets are versus how soon you want to get back on the water and in what...
 
J

Jdahl73

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
7
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

The boat is otherwise in great condition. I just bought this boat from a friend who is now regretting now just trading it in. He's being a good guy and will foot part of the bill even though he has no real obligation to do so. The impellor went out causing all this damage and both of us not being mechanically inclined had no idea impellors need to be replaced fairly often. This could've been easily averted but now is an expensive problem. Like I said before the question is whether I end up with a great running boat that is unlikely to have problems or if rebuild horror stories are common.
 
danond

danond

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
1,118
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

$9K seems really high. Sheesh. ~47 hours of labor? The bellows and drive unit seals are only about $200 in parts and shouldn't take more than 2 hours (it's common maintenance stuff, if the shop is worth anything they do this stuff every day). Any competent mechanic should be able to source a marine 5.0 replacement long block for $2.5K or so and spend an afternoon installing it.

What's the rest of the cost for?

I'd get another quote, and I'd suggest getting a reman block vs. a rebuild.
 
J

Jdahl73

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
7
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

At this point I've decided to just cut my losses and unload this boat. I guess I'll just list the boat and trailer on Craigslist or something and see what I can get for it. The NADA guide shows the trailer worth $645. Wadayathink - can I ask $1,500 for this as is?
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,589
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

If its a 95, it is probably the Volvo/OMC joint venture drive and I would keep the boat. The drive is basically a Volvo so parts availability is not a problem. If the impeller is driven on the front of the engine then its the new drive, if the impeller is on the back side of the outdrive, then you have the old dog clutch Cobra drive and all bets are off.


I would drop in a 350 rather than rebuilding the 5.0.
 
1976SRV190

1976SRV190

Seaman
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
69
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

Your tech is trying to rip you off. Ebay has totally factory rebuilt outdrives for like 1200.00, and you can probably find a tasty reliable replacement motor for about $2500.00. KEEP AN EYE ON THE TEMP!!!! Impellers go out for three reasons, one if you fire up the baot out of the water without ears....DONT! After time, about 3 years is pushing it, or if they are cheap chineese plastic ones they fry in a half season. BUY ONLY factory impeller parts! They are cheap insurance, and do an iimpeller every two years or more often.....
 
C

cibrahim@hotmail.co.uk

Recruit
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
3
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

Jdahl73 said:
I have a 1995 Chris Craft with a 5.0L OMC Cobra engine. It overheated, cracked head gasket, flooded, etc. Anyway, my mechanic has looked it over thoroughly and to rebuild the engine, repair a hole in the bellows and fix a leak in the outdrive is being quoted at $9k. Obviously that is a huge amount of money but will I end up with a virtually new boat such that it is worth it? I am not mechanically inclined to do the repairs on my own ($4,700 of it is labor). Should I try to just scrap it and get some value for the trailer and the body of the boat instead and start over with a new boat? Thoughts, experience, advice appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hi mate, I had this exact problem with my 4.3 mercruiser, about 4 seasons ago. I had it rebuilt for about $5 and it has been great ever since.
 
L

Limited-Time

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
5,820
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

Jdahl73 said:
At this point I've decided to just cut my losses and unload this boat. I guess I'll just list the boat and trailer on Craigslist or something and see what I can get for it. The NADA guide shows the trailer worth $645. Wadayathink - can I ask $1,500 for this as is?
Click to expand...


Where are you located?? For that price it's worth buying repowering and selling for a profit. He11 if its in nice enough shape I'd probably keep it. Is the boat a Concept by chance??
 
J

Jdahl73

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
7
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

I'm in Minneapolis. I'd be happy to sell it to you. I told my wife of the suggestion of fixing it myself and she's still laughing.
 
J

Jdahl73

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
7
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

It is a 19 Concept Bowrider with a 190HP 5.0L OMC Cobra
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,589
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

Wish I was closer. I would buy it in a heartbeat.
 
U

Uraijit

Banned
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
884
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

Oh man, I'd buy that badboy up and throw $250 into marinizine and rebuilding a junkyard block, and then sell it for a NICE profit... Too bad I'm nowhere near there... :(
 
M

mtnrat

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Messages
419
Re: Engine Rebuild Worth It?

I think someone wants to buy your boat. See above.
 
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