Advice needed please

[BAI2]

Hi all,<br /><br />I recently purchased a mid 90's 21 ft boat with a 454 engine. The block was cracked when I bought it. I am fairly mechanically inclined, and really planned on removing the motor myself. I had a mechanic look at the block and it was just the block that was cracked, nothing else. He insists I buy a new motor to install in it instead of rebuilding, I can purchase a 454 block fairly reasonable from the local machine shop (less than $600 reconditioned)<br />Is there a reason the mechanic is so insistive I put a new $4000 motor in this boat? If only the block is cracked, I should be able to pull out the internals and reinstall in the new block correct?<br /><br />Maybe I am missing something, I have rebuilt auto motors along with many small engines.<br /><br />Thanks for any advice.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Advice needed please

Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />Depends how much the motor was used. Pistons could be worn. But I'd think most of the rest should be reusable. Just make sure they go back together where they came apart. The mechanic may not be terribly experienced at overhauling. I'm not and I've been at this for 30 years. He'd have to provide a guarantee and not feel confident using used parts in a reconditioned block. Then there's the block. Has it been bored? Will it require oversized bearings? If you get a remanufactured longblock, it comes with a guarantee. piece together something and you'd be taking your chances.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Advice needed please

$600.00 ...............$4000.00................Huummmmmm. Buy the block and hold on to a couple hundred for a rebuild kit and any unforeseen(s) and save more then 2 grand. My mind is made up. I hope yours is to. Especially if you know how to turn a wrench and read a manual. <br />ps A block is a block.<br />Also Northern auto parts has a master rebuild kit for a 454 for $550.00 to $600.00. That comes with all bearings, gaskets, pistons, timing set, oil pump, cam and lifters, freeze plugs and more. All to your specs and over sizes. Name brand quality parts that a few here has used with no problems that I know off. $600.00+600.00 is still less then half of what they want.<br /> Also if you do it yourself get the motor balanced. Its a must.

 

[BAI2]

Re: Advice needed please

Thanks guys,<br /><br />Yes essentially what I was asking is if a block is pretty much a block, the rest of the internal parts would transfer.<br /><br />What would the dealers advantage be of wanting to install the new motor and not rebuild the old one?<br /><br />Mark up on the new motor vs. rebuilding?<br /><br />Easier to drop a new motor in without messing with the old one?<br /><br />Warranty issues? which he would not have to worry about if he had a local machine shop do it anyway.<br /><br />Just looking for answers I guess.<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Advice needed please

Easier to drop a new motor in without messing with the old one and warranty issues.

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Advice needed please

Your mechanic is probably a good guy, I would say he is just cautious. If anything went wrong there would be a potential for liability and an unhappy customer. Replace the whole thing and the mechanic doesnt have to worry so much about what happens when something from the old engine takes a dump....<br /><br />If you can do it yourself and save the money then do it by all means... I would, but if you cant then go the other route... <br /><br />T