Do I buy a new "dressed" motor?

[New_Blue]

It's the usual sad story...first time buying a boat so what I thought was a good deal turns out to be a bad situation at best. Shop calls and tells me that the motor has a cracked block and manifolds need to be replaced.

The dilemma: Do I pay to have the shop buy a long block and have it installed with the old engine parts put on the new block OR buy a fully "dressed" engine with all new components and I install it myself?

My skills lean more towards carpentry but I figure I am pulling the old motor and putting in new how hard can that be...right?

Has anyone gone through and installed a fully dressed engine? If so, where did you get the engine and what advise would you pass along?

Thank you in advance for your help!

My boat is a 1979 Sea Ray with a Mercruiser 898 and Chevy 305

 

[flargin]

Re: Do I buy a new "dressed" motor?

It's the usual sad story...first time buying a boat so what I thought was a good deal turns out to be a bad situation at best. Shop calls and tells me that the motor has a cracked block and manifolds need to be replaced.

The dilemma: Do I pay to have the shop buy a long block and have it installed with the old engine parts put on the new block OR buy a fully "dressed" engine with all new components and I install it myself?

My skills lean more towards carpentry but I figure I am pulling the old motor and putting in new how hard can that be...right?

Has anyone gone through and installed a fully dressed engine? If so, where did you get the engine and what advise would you pass along?

Thank you in advance for your help!

My boat is a 1979 Sea Ray with a Mercruiser 898 and Chevy 305

I am currently working through building out my 454, and I got a long block. Dressed would be faster, but I will tell you they are not that hard to work on. The best part is I now know everything about the motor, and that to me is good news.

I don't remember exactly what dressed includes, but I think it includes Oil Pan, to Carb + Valve covers. that should not take you that much extra time. The time consuming part, for me is the wiring, etc, but yours will be minimal with a 79. You still will have to put on all the attachments (PS, Alternator, etc) so I would say it would save you a day (or a week, if you want to re-paint all the pieces).


I would say, if your "dressed" parts are rusted out, it is a deal, if not, then it is not a bad idea to dress it yourself.

Have fun!

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Do I buy a new "dressed" motor?

if you have to get new manis any ways get a dressed motor. If those are rusted then some other things may not have been taken care of either. You can get a fully dressed 350 on ebay for about 2500

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Do I buy a new "dressed" motor?

Dressed or naked you want to remember to PRE-OIL the motor before you attempt to start it for the very first time.Per-oiling is getting another dist. remove the teeth for the cam drive, insert in dist. hole and spin with a drill untill you see oil from every pushrod while you rotate the motor a 1/4 turn at a time.This ensures that all the bearings have a coat of oil first and all air bubbles have been removed from the galleries. You can ruin a bearing in as little as 15 seconds if it`s dry on startup.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Do I buy a new "dressed" motor?

If you have the money Doug Russell Marine does pretty good deals on brand new complete mercruiser engine packages. Manifolds carb/efi starter/alt/ign all there bolt it in hook up the wires align and go. It costs more but you get on the water quick and have merc warranty backing you. I don't have a link but they do alot of internet business.

James

 

[Bondo]

Re: Do I buy a new "dressed" motor?

The dilemma: Do I pay to have the shop buy a long block and have it installed with the old engine parts put on the new block OR buy a fully "dressed" engine with all new components and I install it myself?

Ayuh,.... If you're sorta somewhat Handy,+ own Atleast a Craftsman 150pc. Tool set,...
You can turn the Marina's Labor bill into Better up-graded Hard Parts....
While it would take alittle Mixin' & Matchin' with the new,+ your old parts,...
You could conceivably drop in a Brand New 350 MPI.....

 

[flargin]

Re: Do I buy a new "dressed" motor?

Dressed or naked you want to remember to PRE-OIL the motor before you attempt to start it for the very first time.Per-oiling is getting another dist. remove the teeth for the cam drive, insert in dist. hole and spin with a drill untill you see oil from every pushrod while you rotate the motor a 1/4 turn at a time.This ensures that all the bearings have a coat of oil first and all air bubbles have been removed from the galleries. You can ruin a bearing in as little as 15 seconds if it`s dry on startup.

Another option is to jump to autozone, they will "Loan" you one, just return within 90 days for a refund of your deposit. Attaches to a drill...