How many hours???

[rick3452]

Hi guys, How many hours on your Small Block GM Mercruiser? I have 1830 still runs great! Just wondering about your experience....
Rick

 

[Scott Danforth]

1830 is just getting broke in. Motors should go until 3500 or 4000 hours easy

 

[fhhuber]

200,000 miles /60 mi/hr.... 3,333.33.... hrs.

Common for engines to go well past that.

It really depends more on how well its been taken care of. One of the worst things you can do for a boat engine (or a car engine) is let it sit without running it for 3 months or more.

 

[WIMUSKY]

It really depends more on how well its been taken care of. One of the worst things you can do for a boat engine (or a car engine) is let it sit without running it for 3 months or more.

Well then every boat up north would hosed with that theory..... Both my boat and one of my cars sit for a minimum of 6 months.... Every year......

 

[fhhuber]

it is what it is...

With some pre-storage prep you minimize the effect. But while they sit the oil all migrates down, leaving bare metal to rust.

 

[Watermann]

One of the worst things you can do to any motor is not perform preventative maintenance regularly.

 

[oldjeep]

Depends on how it was used I guess. Most ski boats I've been in with those kind of hours have been weak and in need of a rebuild.

 

[alldodge]

IMO the average well taken care of gas boat motor will last 1500 hours before needing an overhaul, diesels will be in the 5000 area. The lighter the boat the less load the more hours can be expected, heavier boats can be the other direction. Boats work hard hours, unless they are used to do a lot of trolling. Getting 1830 is great.

 

[airshot]

Well I don't have an hour meter, but I have a 1983 3.0 140hp that is all original except for normal maintenance items. Just this spring I pulled the head and did a valve job due to leaking head gasket. Cylinder walls look excellent, other than a few dribbles of oil at front and rear seals it doesn't use any oil to speak of. So yes they can go along time with proper maintenance.

 

[H20Rat]

200,000 miles /60 mi/hr.... 3,333.33.... hrs.

Common for engines to go well past that.

It really depends more on how well its been taken care of. One of the worst things you can do for a boat engine (or a car engine) is let it sit without running it for 3 months or more.

My 1984 RV has a Ford 460 in it, and sites for 9 months at a time without running. The previous owners had probably used it a little bit more, but even then, she only has 56,000 miles on the clock. Still runs like a top! From my personal experience, oil isn't going to clean itself off metal that quickly, there is still a film left on it. The only problem that will frequently crop up from lack of use is that seals tend to dry out. My RV likes to mark its territory, so I'm careful where I park it. Not a huge issue in the RV, but I'd hate to have a boat engine leak that much. (this particular 460 was prone to leaking from the rear main though, known issue)

 

[airdvr1227]

1989 Carver with twin 5.7L. No hour meter. Cracked a head last winter. I think they worst thing you can do is abuse the engines, specifically full throttle starts and extended periods of WOT.