5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Yes it was running albeit not that well. I attempted to remove the heads last night but they wouldn't budge. I'm going to try again but it isn't a priority with me now.

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

I would bet the intake was leaking. You said you did a pressure test but that is just about impossible with the engine installed. If you change the intake you will have eliminated all possible problems and will really like the power the 5.7 gives you. Shoot a pic of the bottom of the intake and post it. I do not think you have a head gasket issue. I also could have been the intake gaskets that were allowing water to enter the lifter vally but I bet the intake was rotted through.


And if you have the coin I would also reccomend you add at least a half fresh water kit. (Block Only). If you have the money a full kit will eliminate the manifolds too and you will only be replacing risers every 5 years. It also makes winterizing alot easier.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

I would bet the intake was leaking. You said you did a pressure test but that is just about impossible with the engine installed.

When I did the pressure test the engine was out of the boat. It spends more time out of the boat than in it seems. This was all done last spring. At that time however I didn't remove the intake, just the manifolds, and all the accessories. I replaced everything. New alt, starter, water pump, thermostat and gaskets, oil pan gasket, new head covers, all new hoses, belts, and even after the manifolds tested fine I replaced them as well. Took it out and the boat never would reach WOT. Changed props and still no improvement and I could feel the engine bogging down. Came home and checked the oil and water was in it again. At that point I just decided to wait until I could save up the money and replace the engine. So here we are. I figured that since I have the money now I will replace the outdrive as well and just have an all new setup that should give me years of fish catching enjoyment. I will get you some pics of the intake later tonight after work.

After taking a closer look at the intake it looks in better shape than I thought. What do you guys think, can it be reused?

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

The front coolant crossover looks suspect. Try poking around with a pick or awl. I bet its leaking right where all that corrosion is. Get a closer pic of the bottom near the front.

 

[meesh]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Just my 2 cents, but looking at your thermostat opening and your water ports I would scrap it. You're putting in a brand new engine, why risk it if it leaks. Those areas look pretty rough and you should be able to find that intake even used off a fresh water boat pretty cheap. Good luck, hope you have a better season this year.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Just my 2 cents, but looking at your thermostat opening and your water ports I would scrap it. You're putting in a brand new engine, why risk it if it leaks. Those areas look pretty rough and you should be able to find that intake even used off a fresh water boat pretty cheap. Good luck, hope you have a better season this year.

I have already ordered one from ebasic.com.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

This may be a dumb question but I need to ask it anyway. When I reassemble the new engine can I substitute all of the rusty nuts and bolts I removed from the old engine with stainless steel new nuts and bolts? Is there any reason why using stainless steel would be ill advised?

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

For minor items you can. Tensile strength is not there. I personally would buy all new grade 5 or 8 hardware.

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

High quality stainless would be ok. But most store bought stainless is grade 2 and is crap. I would just use a wire wheel on a bench grinder and clean them up. Then a fresh coat of phantom black after its all together and it will look like it came from the factory. Replace any bolts with new ones if you find any corrosion that is more than superficial. IE pitting. For normal size bolts try Lowes they have a nice selection of grade 8 bolts.

Don't use any of the antisieze products. It introduces a couple more metals to the mix and on boats its called eversieze. A dab of grease is all I use and it works great. Aviation form a gasket is great for threads and for sealing your intake gaskets as well.

Also throw out the end seals that come with the gasket set and put a nice thick bead of ultra black RTV on the block ends make sure they are clean and dry. Bring the silicone up the heads about 1/4 inch then put the gaskets down. Then put a little dab on top of the gaskets where they meet the heads. This will ensure a leak free seal in the corners. Then quickly set the intake down nice and straight so you don't push the beads around. Bolt it on and don't forget to torque it to spec following the order in the manual. (Starting at the center and working out)

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

I took the long block outside until I am ready to dispose of it. Monday I will get started on the new engine. The new intake won't be here until Wednesday at the earliest (bummer) along with the timing chain cover so I guess I will have to wait until next weekend to try to get it all back together. I don't know how to rebuild a carburetor so I am currently looking for someone in town who I can hire to do it. The replacement thermostat housing should be here next week also.

I also finished working on the new rear deck/engine access door. I haven't installed it because it needs to go on last after the engine is in but I did sit it in the boat to see how it looks. I am pleased with it. All of the wood was treated, covered in resin, and then sprayed with brightside so it shouldn't rot anytime in the near future. Plus it is so much more sturdy and stronger than the previous one.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

I'm still waiting on parts (intake, timing cover, thermostat housing) but heres the rebuilt 350 from Rapido. I need to verify the casting numbers to be sure it is a 350 and 350 heads but otherwise it looks good. Slow shipping due to some administrative errors on Raul's part but otherwise I am so far satisfied with the service.

 

[russman]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Dang Dione you would of had alot better luck if you would of stuck to your old Mark Twain..HA HA

Good to hear about the new motor...Looks Good!

Russman

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Hey Russman,

Yea, at least I would be on the water if I'd kept the Mark Twain. Hopefully this is it though. Once I do this I am hopefull to get 4 - 5 good seasons of boating/fishing and then all of the cars/trucks will be paid for and I can then go into a dealership and pick up a slightly used day cruiser.

Dione

 

[abj87]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Closed cooling! Now is the time to do it.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

I wish I could but I don't think that my pockets are long enough. I scrimped all last year to be able to afford this now. How much more would it cost me (estimate) to go to a closed system?

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

I have engine on stand so here is my 1st series of stupid questions. My 1st question is "are the rockers preadjusted or am I going to have to adjust them?" I asked this of Raul and he said "If you get heads, the heads are installed, and so are the new lifters, rods, and rockers. All of those parts will be bolted down to specs, and test spun (checked for balance ,clearence, and compression). I will include all gaskets and seals needed for installation as well as a new oil pump." That being said, how hard is it to adjust them? Is it something any idiot with a manual, correct tools, and common sense can do?

My second question is my old windage tray bolted to the mains. How difficult is it to reinstall it or is it something that I need to worry about? Can I do without it and not have any issues later?

Lastly, does the sump tube on the old oil pump just pull off or do I need any special tool?

I know these are some dumb questions but it's better to ask than to do something irreversible.

Thanks

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

I wouldn't run it w/o the widage tray...........think I had to swap out the studs from my original engine...............when I installed my Rapido Vortec

I had to get a new pick-up tube.............my original was tack-welded.

It's easy enough to check the valve adjustment on the engine stand.......got a manual?

Good luck.............and have fun!!

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

So I went ahead and adjusted the rocker arms per the instructions in the manual. I turned motor in normal direction until #1 cylinder was at top dead center, released adjustment nut until lash was felt then tightened nut until lash was out and then 1 more complete turn. Did this to all arms as per instructions in the book. I have Mercruiser service manual #9.

I have also installed the cylinder head covers and oil pump and will wait until the intake arrives Wednesday before I do anything else. Tomorrow I will remove the windage tray mounting bolts from the old engine and install them on this one so I can install the tray.

Updated 02-24-2009: I installed the tray today and the oil filter holder.

If you plan on using the old water pump from the 305 I would carefully inspect the vanes for wear and maybe even toss in a new bearing as long as you have it off.

The water pump on the 305 was bought last year from off eBay and saw water only twice and a few times on the muffs. So I figured I was good with it. Just out of curiosity I took it apart to check the vanes as you suggested and wa-la, low and behold. Now mind you, this was advertised as a new water pump when I bought it.

I seriously doubt this was from just the limited usage last year. I suspect I was duped. In any event, I just ordered a new pump from ebasicpower.com. Just one more item I will have to wait on to arrive.

 

[Ridemywideglide]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

Unless it showed up that way after you were told it was new, and you somehow didn't look at it before you put it on, I'd say it's from you using it.

It's metal, and your putting it in water, then draining it, rinse and repeat.. Even with antifreeze your car pump will look like that very quickly. Your boat pump had nothing to help protect it.

 

[wil7483]

Re: 5.0 to 5.7 Rapido rebuilt engine swap

.........Also throw out the end seals that come with the gasket set and put a nice thick bead of ultra black RTV on the block ends make sure they are clean and dry. Bring the silicone up the heads about 1/4 inch then put the gaskets down. Then put a little dab on top of the gaskets where they meet the heads. This will ensure a leak free seal in the corners. Then quickly set the intake down nice and straight so you don't push the beads around. Bolt it on and don't forget to torque it to spec following the order in the manual. (Starting at the center and working out)

Let me make sure I am understanding you completely. When I am ready to install the intake I shouldn't use the plastic end pieces at all? Just the bead of RTV and the gaskets? Also, in the gasket set is some metal restrictors for the intake. What are they for and where do they go?

Unless it showed up that way after you were told it was new, and you somehow didn't look at it before you put it on, I'd say it's from you using it.

It's metal, and your putting it in water, then draining it, rinse and repeat.. Even with antifreeze your car pump will look like that very quickly. Your boat pump had nothing to help protect it.

When it showed up it was shiny and black. Of course I didn't remove the back plate. Didn't feel I needed to since it was advertised as new. So is it still safe to continue using it or is it just safer to put a new one on. If I can save a few dollars that's great but not at the expense of messing the engine up.