does it even make sense to reuse a 1974 engine

[rocket1968]

I think, (i know) this is the last year for my boat, the stringers are rotted, the floor is shot, and it is a big ugly trihull (we call it "that 70's boat)". The motor was rebuilt in 1987 and it has been flawless, minus a few minor hyudrolic problems.

It is a i6 165 Mercruiser. The questions I have are this. Is it worth it to pull the motor at the end of the season and put in another boat? I have access toa 1989 Wellcraft that had a similar engine that no longer runs.

Will I even be able to get parts for this engine/Drive if there is an issue?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: does it even make sense to reuse a 1974 engine

Well one has to ask some questions to answer that....

Is it a salt-water engine? does it have good compression? is it a rusty mess? Does it have adequate oil pressure?


I had a 1966 Mark Twain with a 150 (230 cu-in I6....essentially the same engine) Mercruiser in it. Dad bought it new. The engine had NEVER been touched and the hr meter had broken some time in the 80's at about 1500 hrs.

I ran it until the coupler finally spun in the summer of 2004. I replaced the coupler and kept running it until I sold it in the summer of 2005.

It ran almost as good as new. (in fact I told the buyer that if he wanted to sell it later I'd buy it back!!)


The I6 is pretty hard to wear out if you take care of it. There's also a lot of info out there in internet land on rebuilding an I-6 too... http://www.inliners.org/


Cheers,


Rick

 

[rocket1968]

Re: does it even make sense to reuse a 1974 engine

fresh water only, minimal use each year, but enough to keep it from rusting up. It was rebuilt once in the late 80's due to a head gasket. All in all it has been a rock solid engine, cannot say the same for the boat.

Has anyone ever heard of Bononza (BMC)? I have never seen a similiar boat on the water and cannot find anything on the net.

 

[Stroken]

Re: does it even make sense to reuse a 1974 engine

If you have the money to put a new or newer one on it i would personally

 

[qaztwo]

Re: does it even make sense to reuse a 1974 engine

If the engine is good and runs flawless as you stated then why not.

 

[ziggy]

Re: does it even make sense to reuse a 1974 engine

I have access toa 1989 Wellcraft that had a similar engine that no longer runs.

guess my question would be.... how similar of engines are they? if it's not an L6 at the very least the ft. motor mounts aren't gonna be in the right place.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: does it even make sense to reuse a 1974 engine

I would say I haven't seen a negative report on the L6 250cid yet and i'm damn proud to own my ole 68-70 stovebolt. I think their "sweet" 1) easy to work on 2) one exh.manifold 3) one head 4) reliable 5) economical 6) inexpensive to maintain compared to other marine engines Sooooo any ?s Good luck