Bad Motor ..Rebuild ..Replace.. or Scrap

[fburke]

1985 OMC / GM 3.0
OMC Stern Drive
1985 StarCraft 19.5 Fiberglass open bow

My dilemma?..looks like my motor is no good I have low compression on 3 cylinders on a dry test and it does go up with a wet test pointing at the rings I also have a stuck valve on cylinder 2 giving me no compression on that cylinder:facepalm:

So the question is should I rebuild the motor replace it with a new one or scrap the boat?if I replace could I convert to something other than OMC? I know there not favored here.

The boat was given to me so at this point I don?t have any money invested in it.

After some thinking and looking at the cost, I could either put $2500.00 into this boat?in the end I have a boat with a brand new motor that I know is not going to leave me stranded. It is an older boat which I actually like; it has very little electronics on the motor so easier to trouble shoot and less things to give me problems?so my motor investment would be the cost of the boat to me.

OR I could take the $2500.00 and put it towards a newer boat but then I get a whole new set of problems that may cost me more money and time.

I guess I?m dammed if I do and damned of I don?t at this point. ..open toilet? flush money? Welcome to the boating world!

 

[MasterGoa]

Re: Bad Motor ..Rebuild ..Replace.. or Scrap

If the boat was given to you, you have a good hull and interior
and a bad engine. In your position, I would invest in a re manufactured
engine. You will spend money, but have the guarantee that the engine is
perfect. Negotiate an assessment of your drive as well, since the mechanic
will already have removed the engine. Maybe a few hundreds on the drive,
like bellows and checking the prop balancing will go a long way in giving you
hours and hours of trouble free boating.

Spend some time buffing the vinyls and keep them pristine and you can even
turn heads with an older boats because a lot of people understand and enjoy
someone who takes good care of vintage stuff.

And that was my 0.02$

 

[fburke]

Re: Bad Motor ..Rebuild ..Replace.. or Scrap

all the vinyl and the 2 seats were going to be replaced anyway...i have a friend that does it for a living and can do the whole boat for cheap..so the interior will be mint..hull is in good shape

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Bad Motor ..Rebuild ..Replace.. or Scrap

be careful with replacement 3.0's for that application - you need pre-1990. They still make the 3.0 for boats today and lots of places sell ones new, or rebuilds that are too new.
You need the pre-1990 3.0 so your drive coupler and flywheel will fit the crankshaft.

Or, just rebuild the one you have (after verifying the block is not cracked).

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bad Motor ..Rebuild ..Replace.. or Scrap

This time of year $3K should buy something in pretty decent shape. Lot better than all the transom work to re-power. You can probaly look around a bit before making a call on rebuilding too.

FWIW - I just did the the head gasket, and valve job and replacing the springs (that part by a shop) all for around $350 (gaskets, a few tools and all).