Overhaul estimate

[onebadc10]

I went to a local shop today.And the owner said the estimate is 2500.00 to overhaul my 1988 135hp.he also said it is common to bore only one cylinder if thats all that is needed.
Is this a reasonable estimate? And is boring only one cylinder common.
All my cylinders had 120psi on compression accept #5 and it had 90psi.
Thanks
Tony

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Overhaul estimate

It doesn't sound too far out of line for a commercial shop. And if the other bores aren't worn oversized, out-of-round, or have excessive taper, it's not mandatory to have them bored. You only need bore the cyl's that are worn out. Having one or more cyl's oversize won't adversely affect engine balance.

Of course you also have to balance that against putting the same used piston back in the hole, I'd say if you're putting that much money in the powerhead, unless the existing pistons were perfect, new ones for all cyl's (standard or oversize) would be in order.

I would definitely ask the mechanic if he (or more likely the cylinder boring company he'll send the block to) measures all cyl's carefully to make sure that all holes are still in spec.

I know a Merc certified mechanic who now operates his own business and he says he won't mess with rebuilding anymore, too labor-intensive and in his experience they don't last as long as a factory powerhead. He gets factory-rebuilt or new powerheads with factory warranty and installs them. Probably a bit more expensive but I have a feeling he's probably right on the High-End stuff.

At any rate, a thorough rebuild should produce a long-lasting product, just depends on how much you want to throw at it! However, I'd expect that the warranty on a factory powerhead would be much longer than any you'll get from a local rebuilder.

HTH & G'luck.........ed

 

[lprizman]

Re: Overhaul estimate

what's the warranty policy?
this should include all new pistons, rings,gaskets, boring all cylinders as well

your investing $2,500.00 into a $400.00 motor versus $11,500.00 for new,,,tuff call,,,I'm kinda in the same boat,,,no punn intended

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Overhaul estimate

Ouch! You might want to look for another used motor, or another boat and motor. Twenty year old boats with motors often go cheap.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Overhaul estimate

I think the shopping for a good used motor of that vintage is the right idea.

When you have one cylinder out of 4 that's low on compression makes me wonder why? One would think that in normal operation they all should wear evenly. Only thing I can think of is fuel starvation for that cylinder, i.e. carb dirty or reed valves not opening as required owing to a lack of proper lubrication (no gas, no oil).

I had a 3 cyl short block bored .030 over and P+L was $1000 20 years ago. I did all the repair work except the block machining/parts/assembly work.

My 2c

Mark

 

[sschefer]

Re: Overhaul estimate

I went to a local shop today.And the owner said the estimate is 2500.00 to overhaul my 1988 135hp.he also said it is common to bore only one cylinder if thats all that is needed.
Is this a reasonable estimate? And is boring only one cylinder common.
All my cylinders had 120psi on compression accept #5 and it had 90psi.
Thanks
Tony

120 is only 5 below factory. Your 2.0L engine is an excellent platform to work from and well worth the rebuild. You could go look for another engine but the rebuild price your getting is a good one and the engine is also. Boring one cylinder if it's even needed is the norm. You can actually get away with doing 3 according to Merc.

FYI, ask your mechanic if he has a set of 150 carbs laying around. Put those on your 135 and you'll have a 150.

 

[onebadc10]

Pics of the engines

Pics of the engines

Here is the boat.1988 sea ray.I just bought it for 5000.00The guy had just lost his job and needed some money. He told me the engines were in great shape.I trusted him and bought the boat without a compression check or running the engines.(oh Well). When I went to gas up the boat two days later the fuel tank had a hole in it.1,300.00 for new tank 115 gallon.I installed it myself.(No big deal) I painted the cowling and added new decalsFinall took the bout out 7 weeks after purchase to find out bad engine.
So I will have 9000. in the boat.
On the good side the boat took on no water and all the live wells and wash down pumps and light and gauges work.