Cracked Block Replacement

[saulgoodman]

Im looking to buy a boat that has a cracked engine block. Its a good deal as the boat is great, but was hoping to gain insight into what I am looking at in replacing the cracked block. The motor is a Mercury 5.0 V8 (220 hp) and is attached to an alpha one stern drive. Owner saw milky oil and has had it proffesionally looked at. Im wondering what my options are on replacing the block, can I buy a junkyard one? or am I better off buying an entire longblock. Thanks for reading this far. Im going to put below more details on my potential acquistion and please let me know if you think this makes sense fiscally.
I have been looking to buy a boat for the better part of a year but timing has never been great. Im a graduating college student so my budget is low, but I have some cash saved away to hopefully get myself out on the water. The boat is an '04 bayliner 215 that has been covered and stored correctly (excpet for winterization I guess) and has had two owners. The interior is in great shape and just needs a shop vac. He says he's just put on a new carburator and sparkplugs aswell as new tires and bearings on the trailer this year. If I can get this boat for $3,250 does it make any sense considering the cost of a motor on michiganmotorz?

 

[racerone]

The boat is worth $1000 in my opinion.----You should do a complete inspection of the boat before spending any beer tokens.

 

[elsaylor]

has NOT been stored correctly run away

 

[Scott Danforth]

being a 2004, the vinyl seats and soft surfaces will need attention.

suggest if you really really really really want it, get it for as cheap as possible.

remove the drive and service the drive
pull the old 5.0
throw the existing manifolds away.
buy a new 5.7 liter marine long block (marine head gaskets, brass core plugs and a marine cam)
get a marine 4 barrel intake and carb
swap over the accessories
put in a new coupler
drop the motor in the boat
align it
re-install the drive
go boating

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

$3,200 sounds a bit pricey for a boat that needs and engine. Price out what a 5.0 marine long block would be and then factor in some $,$$$ for your time and risk. I know that boats are tough to come by recently, but is this your best course of action, all costs considered?

 

[Scott Danforth]

it would be cheaper to join freedom boat club and simply rent a boat every other weekend for a day if you just want to get on the water.

 

[Berdink]

Isn't it $4000 just to join? And around $3000 a year?

 

[Scott06]

Im looking to buy a boat that has a cracked engine block. Its a good deal as the boat is great, but was hoping to gain insight into what I am looking at in replacing the cracked block. The motor is a Mercury 5.0 V8 (220 hp) and is attached to an alpha one stern drive. Owner saw milky oil and has had it proffesionally looked at. Im wondering what my options are on replacing the block, can I buy a junkyard one? or am I better off buying an entire longblock. Thanks for reading this far. Im going to put below more details on my potential acquistion and please let me know if you think this makes sense fiscally.
I have been looking to buy a boat for the better part of a year but timing has never been great. Im a graduating college student so my budget is low, but I have some cash saved away to hopefully get myself out on the water. The boat is an '04 bayliner 215 that has been covered and stored correctly (excpet for winterization I guess) and has had two owners. The interior is in great shape and just needs a shop vac. He says he's just put on a new carburator and sparkplugs aswell as new tires and bearings on the trailer this year. If I can get this boat for $3,250 does it make any sense considering the cost of a motor on michiganmotorz?

Not sure a project is best for a first boat , or have you been around boats in your family ?

FWIW NADA on that boat is about $12-14k . Not sure if the classic Bayliners of this era had wood floor and stringers or not. If they do definitely first things first make sure the structure is in good shape. If stingers are rotted don't bother. As mentioned if interior is ripped don't bother.

I did a similar project 6 years ago on a 04 Sea Ray 200 sport. It was in excellent condition with 37 hrs on it except for cracked engine block and manifolds and trailer tires and brakes. I got a Michigan Motorz Silver partial engine package plus a set of manifolds - included new base engine ,intake, carb, ignition and exhaust. I swapped all accessories off the old engine, and the partial engine set me back like $5k.

They don't make a 5.0 anymore so go for the 5.7 and upgrade to 4 bbl carb as MM sells with their packages. While it was more money than a junkyard truck motor or rebuild- I put it in and it has worked flawlessly for 6 years. At the time I was into it for about $11k total (boat, engine, trailer work, prop, mods to my hoist) on a boat that was like $18-20k at the time. that worked for me and it was more palatable financially (and with the wife) to do it piecemeal over a winter.

I do agree you would want to pay more like $1500, maybe you can find a good running take out for $3 k, really depends on how mechanically inclined you are.

 

[tank1949]

The boat is worth $1000 in my opinion.----You should do a complete inspection of the boat before spending any beer tokens.

Im looking to buy a boat that has a cracked engine block. Its a good deal as the boat is great, but was hoping to gain insight into what I am looking at in replacing the cracked block. The motor is a Mercury 5.0 V8 (220 hp) and is attached to an alpha one stern drive. Owner saw milky oil and has had it proffesionally looked at. Im wondering what my options are on replacing the block, can I buy a junkyard one? or am I better off buying an entire longblock. Thanks for reading this far. Im going to put below more details on my potential acquistion and please let me know if you think this makes sense fiscally.
I have been looking to buy a boat for the better part of a year but timing has never been great. Im a graduating college student so my budget is low, but I have some cash saved away to hopefully get myself out on the water. The boat is an '04 bayliner 215 that has been covered and stored correctly (excpet for winterization I guess) and has had two owners. The interior is in great shape and just needs a shop vac. He says he's just put on a new carburator and sparkplugs aswell as new tires and bearings on the trailer this year. If I can get this boat for $3,250 does it make any sense considering the cost of a motor on michiganmotorz?

Unless you have fiberglass, boating and MC experience, you may be biting off more than you can chew. Most of the contributors to this forum have years of experience. Listen to them! Don't count on a marine surveyor, as I did. Inspect it yourself and look for rot. The motor is already toast. Go back with at least 350. I suspect 2K for motor for a reman.. The crack block indicates that former owner didn't drain block, but there may be other reasons. UR buying someone else's headaches. You will spend a lot of time and money restoring it. It will be time or $$$ consuming!

 

[Scott06]

Go back with at least 350. I suspect 2K for motor for a reman..

Back in they day ( ok a handful of years ago) they were $2K- more like $3600 now ...

5.7L Vortec Marine Engine (1996-2020)

5.7L Vortec marine engine (1996-current)

www.michiganmotorz.com

 

[Lou C]

That price, figure on at least doubling your investment if you are replacing the engine, and expect it to be reliable. Its all the odds and ends that add up. Plus, a 2004 boat is far from new. You still have to check the structure for rot, moisture in the air, and moderate temperatures, all encourage rot especially if this boat has carpeted decks with plywood cores. That's the most rot prone construction there is.

 

[Superjetjim]

Having done a winter project with help on here - seriously get a runner. Generally it’s a false economy, so many hidden costs like engine hoists and countless hours working out how to do stuff. Just get a runner.