How much do engines cost?

[surferguy001]

i need a complete (I/O) set up for my ~83' sea ray project boat. the original engine was a mercruiser 350, and the stern i have no idea cause its way too corroded. i still have the engine in the boat, but i mechanic friend said that the engine was completely shot. i have been trying and trying to find info on this but have come up empty handed. About how much am i looking at a brand new set up, including removal of the old stuff and installation?

Also, people keep telling me to buy rebuilt engines and sterns off of craigslist since it is cheaper. i dont feel safe about that AT ALL!!! when my boat is finally done i plan on taking it out in the ocean a lot, doing several week or month long trips. i dont want my engine to fail me. does everyone agree to not buy from craigslist or am i being overly paranoid?

 

[Don S]

Re: How much do engines cost?

New engine and drive package with fresh water cooling is going to be in the $13,000 to $16.000 range.

 

[backyard mechanic]

Re: How much do engines cost?

Consider this... the engine may be shot but are the components bad? New or rebuilt parts (depending on how many) might be worth your while to purchase. Any good 350 block will do just "marine" it with brass freeze plugs a marine starter, alternator, risers, manifolds etc. Blocks are cheap the work is expensive if you're paying for labor.

 

[surferguy001]

Re: How much do engines cost?

Consider this... the engine may be shot but are the components bad? New or rebuilt parts (depending on how many) might be worth your while to purchase. Any good 350 block will do just "marine" it with brass freeze plugs a marine starter, alternator, risers, manifolds etc. Blocks are cheap the work is expensive if you're paying for labor.

uhh... ya. Unfortunately i never paid attention during auto-shop when i was in high school

here is are photos of the stern and engine, if it helps:

http://s789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/surferguy001/Boat/?action=view&current=IMG_0473-1.jpg
http://s789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/surferguy001/Boat/?action=view&current=IMG_0991.jpg

 

[achris]

Re: How much do engines cost?

here is are photos of the stern and engine, if it helps:

http://s789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/surferguy001/Boat/?action=view&current=IMG_0473-1.jpg
http://s789.photobucket.com/albums/yy173/surferguy001/Boat/?action=view&current=IMG_0991.jpg

Arrr, yeah... Right...

You're on the right path, completely new package! NOTHING salvageable off that! Except maybe the stickers on the engine cover.

Money no object? That looks like a fairly big/heavy boat... Go the 6.2MPI with a Bravo 3 leg.... Sweeeet....

Chris..........

To everyone else... Check out the bottom of the lower unit, what's left of it!! and the hinge pins, where there used to be a gimbal ring. And did anyone else notice to hole in the top of the top box... This HAS to have been in a marina close to someone with a SERIOUS power/ground problem... But the thing of most interest is that the best part of it are the anodes.....

 

[surferguy001]

Re: How much do engines cost?

the boat is fairly heavy, about 4000-5000 pounds. What would the gas consumption be of the 6.2MPI? How bout the 350 too? Would that size engine even fit?

 

[achris]

Re: How much do engines cost?

Physically the 6.2, the 350 and the current 260 are all the same. The 260 is a 350, and the 6.2 is a stroked 350....

Fuel consumption will depend on how you drive it... But generally the 6.2MPI is better than the 350 because it has more torque. I would expect around 1.5 to 2 litres per nautical mile. (As a comparison mine (see my signature) give around 1.2 to 1.5 litres per nautical mile, depending on speed and loading).

As you intend being in the Pacific, and I boat only in the Indian Ocean, we have a lot in common. We understand that ocean weather is very changeable, and it can do it suddenly. Nice to have a few horses in the stable as backup.

I believe that for boats of our size we should be looking at being able to cruise at between 14 knots and 27 knots, and have a top speed of no less than about 34 knots. Trim tabs, I think, are almost a necessity, especially in big swells.

Click HERE to look at your new engine, and HERE to see the drive...

Chris.........
Did you know that in 1987, Perth and San Diego become sister cities?

 

[triman]

Re: How much do engines cost?

New engine and drive package with fresh water cooling is going to be in the $13,000 to $16.000 range.

Hmm,amazing the difference a larger market makes.
When i checked the repower page on Mercruiser Australia last year, after trading in my engine and leg I would be able to get a 5.0L with an Alpha leg for about AU$25k, plus fitting etc. AND I think FWC and a few other options cost a shipload more on top of that.

 

[alien4fish]

Re: How much do engines cost?

i need a complete (I/O) set up for my ~83' sea ray project boat. the original engine was a mercruiser 350, and the stern i have no idea cause its way too corroded. i still have the engine in the boat, but i mechanic friend said that the engine was completely shot. i have been trying and trying to find info on this but have come up empty handed. About how much am i looking at a brand new set up, including removal of the old stuff and installation?

Also, people keep telling me to buy rebuilt engines and sterns off of craigslist since it is cheaper. i dont feel safe about that AT ALL!!! when my boat is finally done i plan on taking it out in the ocean a lot, doing several week or month long trips. i dont want my engine to fail me. does everyone agree to not buy from craigslist or am i being overly paranoid?

There is a guy up here in Escondido that runs a shop called MLM Engines in Escondido the guy at the desk is Leon and the owner is Mike. They quoted me 3330.00 to pull the motor check the block the heads Rebuild it and put it back in with a three year warranty.Ive got the same boat you do Sea Ray SRV245 right? thats actually a 25 foot boat. im going to do a compression test today to see if I do in fact need a new motor. You Deff. need an out drive. Good luck!

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: How much do engines cost?

I don't think I have ever seen an outdrive that corroded away. It looks like it sat in the water for many, many, many years, well after the zincs corroded away. If I was to repower that boat I would hang that outdrive on my garage wall as a conversation piece....wow.
I would seek a donor boat and strip the complete propulsion system out of it, to put in yours.

 

[surferguy001]

Re: How much do engines cost?

I don't think I have ever seen an outdrive that corroded away. It looks like it sat in the water for many, many, many years, well after the zincs corroded away. If I was to repower that boat I would hang that outdrive on my garage wall as a conversation piece....wow.
I would seek a donor boat and strip the complete propulsion system out of it, to put in yours.

would it be a safe call to take the drive system out of another boat? that clearly is way cheaper, but i still want to feel comfortable being 100 miles off shore (eventually)

does anybody know if these companies are reliable:

http://usengine.us/mercruiser.html
http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/mc_outdrives.htm
http://www.rapidomarine.com/default.aspx?p=/engines/default.aspx

 

[artificialreef]

Re: How much do engines cost?

Nice project Surfer, i got a similar project boat in similar shape. 83 Tiara, I have twin 4 cylinders because i want a backup being far offshore. Both my engines are iffy but have good compression. Does your crank turn? Did you check for compression? Side note. You have alot of nice teak on that like mine. I guess thats because they use to use it in 83. I have been using tung oil by Sutherland Welles on my teak. makes it look really nice. May i be tacky and ask what you picked it up for to see if i am in the same ballpark? Check your structure before you dump a bunch of money in it. Remember that hull is pretty old too.

 

[surferguy001]

Re: How much do engines cost?

$800

 

[achris]

Re: How much do engines cost?

would it be a safe call to take the drive system out of another boat? that clearly is way cheaper, but i still want to feel comfortable being 100 miles off shore (eventually)

does anybody know if these companies are reliable:

http://usengine.us/mercruiser.html

Looks like they deal in long motors...You need a complete drive system, including transom assembly, as well.

http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/mc_outdrives.htm

When they say 'Complete outdrive', they are only referring to the leg unit, doesn't include the transom assembly, and you DEFINITELY need that too.

http://www.rapidomarine.com/default.aspx?p=/engines/default.aspx

Again, this one is only engines.

Try www.mercruiserparts.com for complete packages...

Chris........

 

[surferguy001]

Re: How much do engines cost?

what is the difference of the alpha gen I & II and bravo I-III sterns?

 

[achris]

Re: How much do engines cost?

Alpha 1 gen I - drive system up to 1991. Good to about 300hp
Alpha 1 Gen II - drive system from 1992 on. Good to about 300hp.
Bravo 1 - Used on higher speed boats, up to 100mph, good to about 400hp.
Bravo 2 - uses a 20" diameter prop. Good for heavy boats needing a lot of thrust. Good for about 400hp.
Bravo 3 - same upper as the other Bravos, uses dual counter rotating propellers. Good to about 400 hp. Excellent for steering and maneuverability.

Bravos 1X, 2X and 3X are good to 450hp.

Have a look at the Mercury marine website. It has all the features and benefits of all the different drives and engines...

Chris.......

 

[surferguy001]

Re: How much do engines cost?

all of the info given was very helpful and useful! thank you everyone!

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: How much do engines cost?

anything new with that?

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: How much do engines cost?

i would start looking for another boat for parts or start fresher but if you got money a diesel repower is the way to go. how much are you willing to spend?

 

[surferguy001]

Re: How much do engines cost?

i would start looking for another boat for parts or start fresher but if you got money a diesel repower is the way to go. how much are you willing to spend?

between my buddy and i, a total of no more than 10k. preferably in the 5k range