Given up the Ghost

[LuckyPenny]

Over the past year or so I have gotten some very good advice and help. What I am looking for now is some really good help.<br /><br />I am thinking of replacing the engine on my cruiser and need advice from those that have gone though it. The current engine is a 1977 Mercruiser 250 (5.7L Chevy block) The outdrive (Alfa One) is in excellent condition. The exhust and intake Manifolds are in very good condition, recently replaced Carb, Distributer, Alternater, and Starter. I think the least expensive way would be to get a short block. What is a reasonable price to pay? Also, how hard would it to find a block to accept the parts that are good?<br /><br />Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Given up the Ghost

It would be easy, look at rapidomarine.com...You can pick up short & long blocks cheap with no core charge....They advertise on ebay,too...JK

 

[Bondo]

Re: Given up the Ghost

You want to go with a Pre 1979 350 SBC Long Block,.............<br /><br />Unless you're looking for a new engine with No Heads....(Short Block)......<br /><br />Nowadays,.... "Crate Motors" are the way to go,....... You get "Most" of the Tin with the new Long Block.............<br /><br />Or,......<br />For the price of the Aftermarket Coupler,.........<br />You Could up-date to a Vortec SBC.........<br /><br />Then sell your pretty good running motor to Help pay for it..............

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Given up the Ghost

The 1977 250HP was actually a 327 c.i. engine, but a 350 should be a direct match... not sure if the heads are any different

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Given up the Ghost

I'm with Bondo - you can pick up a new crate engine, change the freeze plugs with brass ones and put the externals from your engine back on the other block. Here is an example from Pace Chevy for only $1,395, brand new. <br />

 

[LuckyPenny]

Re: Given up the Ghost

Pace sells Auto engines, I have seen too many problems trying to convert to marine application. Thanks anyway

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Given up the Ghost

Not true Luckypenny. You've been given baaaaad advice. All you need is to make sure the specs match what you need plus as fishermark said, brass freeze plugs. Most suppliers will work with you to get the right cam, compression, oil pan, timing cover, etc. There are no other differences between auto and marine. That is, until you get to the external peripherals.

 

[Mile-High Mariner]

Re: Given up the Ghost

Luckypenny:<br /><br />Whenever someone begins a sentence with "all you need is...", take it with a grain of salt(water). Your cautious approach is warranted, as marine engines really are more different than just the peripherals, as the admiral states. Materials and composition of things like head gaskets, which are not external peripherals, are important, and they are already the source of problems brought in many posts to this and other boating forums. While automotive "equivalents" may work for a while, they will not survive prolonged operation in a marine application, simply because of the unusual operating parameters marine engines to which marine engines are subjected compared to similar automotive engines. WOT operation much of the time, raw water cooling, inconsistency of use - these factors and more call for tougher stuff than what goes into our daily drivers, which are, arguably, treated much more gently than our aquatic toys. Blocks and such are okay, but I would stick with marine-grade wherever Mercruiser and my Seloc manual (riddled with errors in syntax and grammar, though it may be) indicate. <br />You might also take a look at the rebuilt marine engines at rebuilt.com or remanufactured.com (same company, out of Vegas, I think). I'm considering a longblock replacement for my Mercruiser from them, and they have a number of options for your application.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Given up the Ghost

While automotive "equivalents" may work for a while, they will not survive prolonged operation in a marine application, simply because of the unusual operating parameters marine engines to which marine engines are subjected compared to similar automotive engines. WOT operation much of the time, raw water cooling, inconsistency of use - these factors and more call for tougher stuff than what goes into our daily drivers,

While this statement is Much Too Vague to Argue,..............<br />It Does lead to a conclusion that there are Differences that Just Aren't There..............<br /><br />As I've stated before,.........<br />A Standard Production Mercruiser Engine is pretty much a Standard Production Chevy engine of the vintage that is coming off the Standard Production Line at the time of delivery............

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Given up the Ghost

I had went with a rebuild marine long block,never again.End up buying a new marina long block with everything,tins and intake manifold plus s&H for$1900,no core cost.That came with 2 year warrenty.That engine was prevortec!<br />Some shops will not work on rebuilt engines or install them.