For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

[dvan1901]

Sorry for all the engine block questions; just trying to arm myself with as much knowledge as possible. My question is, for those who have had a block replaced, or those that do it for a living, how much, in labor, can one expect to pay (ballpark)? I'm waiting on two labor quotes so I'm trying to check what is fair and what would be way out of line. The block I'm looking at ordering has the following: new pistons, rings and pins, cam, rod and bearings, timing gears and chain, new valve train, gasket set, brass freeze plugs, oil pump, cylinder head with valve seats. The block has also been pressure checked, spin tested, compression tested, and oil flow tested. Thanks again!

 

[Bondo]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

It Sounds like you're buying what is known as a Long Block........

I'll defer to the Regular Techs for an Estimate on the Hours Needed.....

I would Think a Days labor should do it,..... I've done a Bare Block swap in Less time..........

 

[KaGee]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

My V-6 long block was $1300 delivered. I installed it myself.

 

[Zackman]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

I'm not sure of the cost or estimated time, but thought I would add one comment...

It sounds like you may be thinking about buying the long block and having a mechanic install it to save money. You may want to consider getting quotes to have the shop buy and install the motor. They usually can get a better price on the motor and their markup my make the cost only slightly higher.

But the big savings will occur if anything goes wrong after the installation, since the there won't be any finger pointing (e.g. mechanic says it's the engine manufacturers fault and the engine manufacturer says it was due to the installation).

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

8 hours minimum. I usually estimate up to twelve depending on accessibility, sometimes more for the real difficult ones to get at. The outdrive water pump is an automatic replace with a major job like that.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

I think 8 hours might be a stretch, but maybe. Even if that's how long it takes, that's unlikely to be what you'll pay. There will be more than straight labor involved. Before I knew enough to do it myself, I had the same done at the VP dealer here. Costs additional to the longblock were roughly $2000. Be prepared...

When you do it, think about posting what it did cost back to this thread. I've seen this question a lot, and now that we have a search, this could be useful to someone in the future...

 

[dvan1901]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

bjcsc, I will remember to do that. I am supposed to get one quote Monday so I will post it when I get it. I've got another guy, who works for Yamaha (my engine is a Yamaha) that can do it, he is just going to be a month or more out for space to get the old engine out with the hoist (about smack in the middle of busy season here). The other guy, I met with last week and talked with the mechanic and he talked me through what he will do so I felt pretty good about him knowing his stuff.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

Ok, I promised an update and here is one quote. I'm not too happy with the $600 range difference so I am going to have them just pick a number. Anyways, here it is...Thoughts?
6-8 hrs to take old engine out ($450-600)

6-8 hrs to put new engine back in

4-8 hrs to change out parts

So, we're looking at about 16-24 hours total

Hi is $1800 plus $125 for the crane and shop supplies
Low is $1200 plus $125 for the crane and shop supplies
Plus lubricants: oil, etc

$1925 Hi
$1325 Low

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

motor out easy: 2hrs,
torch work/disc cutter on motor mounts add 3 hrs,
remove serviceable old parts,clean,paint, and install on new motor,pre-oil and test run on blocks for 1 hr. 8hrs
Varible Factor :can the motor be removed easily,does the deck/floor etc have to be cut to gain access and reglassed in,all hoses cables,wiring,steering system in good working order.
install new motor,adjust alignment, install drive and test 3-5 hrs
inform cust of breakin procedures and engine manufactures warranty and supply spec sheet for volts,oil press, water temp.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

Yeah, what killed me about the "6-8 hours to take old engine out" is that they have disconnected a bunch of stuff already from taking the manifold off. I cannot believe that it takes that long; maybe for someone like me that has never removed an engine before, but not for a seasoned mechanic. The floor does not need to be removed, maybe the bench seat, but not the floor. Needless to say, I'm still looking and have two other quotes I'm waiting on.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

15 to 20 hrs, 24 if it's a PITA, on a longblock job if they're cleaning and repainting old parts is not out of the park, especially if it's a saltwater boat. Add for any electrical and drive work to be done.

I wouldn't pay much attention to his hourly breakdown it's irrelivent. He is in the park with his total number of hours.

 

[Don S]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

Like I always tell customers that don't like my estimates because "They said on the internet" that it should only take X number of hours.
Let the guys on the internet do it.
There is a LOT more in the time to do a job than just having all the correct parts suddenly appear, you spend time looking them up and ordering them, you clean the old parts and paint them so the job doesn't look like it was done by a butcher. Clean the bilge, clean the corroded rusty parts, check things that DIYers never think of.
It all adds up.
Your job is going to be 2 to 3 days labor, maybe more. (I haven't seen it, looked at it or checked it out so can't say for sure).
Then put it all back together and make the boat look like it was never worked on.............. Who pays for all that?

 

[DukesFin]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

I am mechanically inclined so I opted to do my own...

DonS is right: The reality of the job, even for a seasoned mechanic, is that there are a LOT of "little" things to do, other than hooking up the old block to a crane and lifting, then dropping the new long block in...

The following is very true for a seasoned mechanic: When you start removing old wiring, hoses, clamps, etc (and there are a LOT of them), they need to be inspected. If he does not inspect them, but re-installs them and they fail after installation, you will come back to them and complain... THEY KNOW THIS! After inspection, they need to replace faulty/broken/worn pcs.

This is just one SMALL piece of the puzzle they have to deal with. Of course, you can do all of this yourself, but do you feel comfortable enough? Will you be dilligent in your work or take seemingly insignificant shortcuts only to cause damage/heartache/loss of $$ later?

Marine mechanics WORK HARD for thier money for sure. They are worth every penny....

That's my two cents on the subject.

Good luck either way!

 

[dvan1901]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

Second quote is in. This guy would order the engine, so I wouldn't have to worry about that nor the potential finger pointing as pointed out earlier. For the entire job he quoted me $3,600. That also includes a two year, unlimited hour, warranty on the engine and his labor. He did say he may be able to come down off of that a little depending on my other quotes, but I think this is pretty close to a fair deal.

 

[delsol]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

i want to put a different spin on this as i am trapped with my boat in the shop for 3 months and 2 weeks. first off more then price is to find a shop to do the job right. on time and fair. i have my boat in a merc dealer's shop and my long block was going to be a winter job. well almost 4 months later its still in the shop. total bill will be around $3500 for labor, starter.alt. motor mounts , coupler. fuel pump. 5.7 gm engine and when i get it back no impeller. shift cable or drive check. i got myself in a real jam as the guys reg mechanic's are not doing the job and he's got a guy coming in doing the job. you read that right. i am beyond pissed. i would have payed a guy like don s 5k to give me my boat back with a quality job. i have no garage to finish it and it's almost done. i have lot's of mechanic experence. and spent 3 years in trade school 25 yrs ago and worked as a mechanic before . just dont make the mistake i did. my motor was very rusty. but that's no excuse for the shop as i brought everypart you guys can thing og carb.dist. manifold. all including intake w/p . new oil pan valve covers . you name it i brought it. enclosed is a pict from monday at shop. i can have this motor complete . my self in 3 hours or so. i am really beyond sick. all this time and money spent was a waste. i could have brought a complete long block 383 stroker for 6k with everything on it or a new gm 5.7 for about the same.picts enclosed.
bob

 

[delsol]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

i got a nice speed boat a carlson css 19' that i really like.
motor with manifolds 2200.00 + dealers labor and parts 3500+ parts i brought xtra 1500=$7200 and not even a shift or control cable or bellows replacement . or drive preasure checked. boy i got screwed and i still got to wait as they got $2500 of my money 2 months ago
$7200 total
$1500 boat
$ 1000 to complete work
--------------------------
9700 for a nice boat
book value 5k
the money dont matter as i am not selling boat. the dealer's work ethic is a major killer
bob

 

[delsol]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

if he does good work divi thats fair imo. how long will he tie boat up???

 

[delsol]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

Like I always tell customers that don't like my estimates ...



DON S I WOULD HAVE BEGGED A GUY LIKE YOU TO DO MY JOB.. i know i would have got a great value for my money and my drive would have got fixed and checked. bellows replaced. cables replaced..don if they all could be like you. i am 10 year experence at a cadillac dealer. and got myself into this bad trip. i posted this so other will pay the price at quailty shops and not make the mistakes i made
bob/pa

 

[dvan1901]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

Two things I like about the guy I think I'm going to go with; first, he was recommended by another shop because he can work on Yamaha's. Second, he wasn't the cheapest, but he was middle road. He also gave me a reasonable estimate to the amount of time it would take; he's got other boats to work on too. I think I am going to take it in tomorrow, and then I head to Hawaii for a week, then go straight out of town again for the weekend, so I won't even NEED it for 10+ days.

 

[delsol]

Re: For those that have, or do, replaced a block...

word of advice , make sure he's got your cell incase of small things like rusty oil pan. etc. but it sounds like you did your homework. i live in pa. my job was going to be a winter special. well i screwed up big time because i am not afraid to spend the money. i thought because he's been nice to me thurout the years that made him a good dealer. but good mechanic's and ownership are much better. his guy's are not so good. no offense too them . but they are below avg. in my book i should have drove to a big dealer in new jersey. i would have had a full price in 2 weeks and boat fixed in 1 month. not 4 months and counting. like don said . people dont want to here the prices . but with me if you sale bob 5k for everything and 30 days i would have said ok. fine do it. but it's 4k parts and labor and i gave them 85-90% of the parts plus 105 days and counting. i stopped counting because i get pissed. the funny thing is if i got a bad rebuild i will find out 5 months 2 late in boat season.
bob/