How old is old?

[texasvet54]

I have a 1998 Mercruiser 350 cu in engine with a Bravo1 drive on my 1987 houseboat. I purchased it back in September of last year. The seller said that the engine only had around 200 hours on it because it was mostly used as a place to stay for his visiting in-laws, who actually owned the boat. Personally, I think he might have stretched the truth by a couple of hundred hours or more, because I had to replace the carb shortly after I moved it to my lake.

If the engine was in a car, at 12 years, I'd say that it was an old engine. Since it's in a boat, I'm not so sure.

So, how many years/hours constitues an old engine?

TexasVet

 

[Bondo]

Re: How old is old?

So, how many years/hours constitues an old engine?

Ayuh,... 2000hrs to 3000hrs is the usual point a motor is Rebuilt...

With proper Maintenance of course...

 

[achris]

Re: How old is old?

It's not USING an engine that kills it, it's NOT using it that will kill it. I removed my old engine at about 1200 hours and sold it on to a friend, who just loves it. Engines with too few hours tend to keel over quicker. A good 'average' use is around 50 to 100 hours per year.

HTH,

Chris.........

 

[6meter]

Re: How old is old?

My 350 is 25 yrs old. Just as strong as day 1. There might only be 3-400 hours on it though. It sat for 9 years. It's not old.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: How old is old?

Thanks for all the replies folks. I was a decent shade tree mechanic for quite a few years, so I think I'll replace the plugs, wires, distributor cap and points just for grins.

TexasVet

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: How old is old?

run it till you start losing good compression..or bearings start going out

 

[sasto]

Re: How old is old?

Don't know...but....have an inboard from 1974 with 1500 hrs, all is well.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: How old is old?

Thanks for all the replies folks. I was a decent shade tree mechanic for quite a few years, so I think I'll replace the plugs, wires, distributor cap and points just for grins.

TexasVet

You don't have points

 

[texasvet54]

Re: How old is old?

That's even better. I guess I have a solid state module in the distributor then, right?

 

[Bondo]

Re: How old is old?

That's even better. I guess I have a solid state module in the distributor then, right?

Ayuh,... Being a 1998, it should have a Thunder-bolt V igntion...

 

[texasvet54]

Re: How old is old?

Ayuh,... Being a 1998, it should have a Thunder-bolt V igntion...

Toooooo cold today and tomorrow to start looking at the engine. It's 20 and sleeting here in Texas. Same for tomorrow. But, Friday it's supposed to get to 53 and Saturday to 61. I might even play some golf

Thanks,
TexasVet