inboard repair help please

[jamesmichael29]

OK here is the short story.... Last fall my 1985 mercruiser 140hp 3.0l chewed 2 distributor gears in 2 hours i found a local mechanic who was gonna rebuild the engine for under $1000.00 in 1 week. After 6 weeks I got the boat back(and my Deposit) but its not fixed. He said I need a new distributor. He also said he pulled the engine(i know this for fact i seen it outta the boat)and had checked everything all was good so he put it back together. But didnt not fill it with fluids. I pulled the dipstick and its still full of old oil. ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE THE COVERS OFF BUT STILL HAVE OLD OIL IN IT.....Theres been so many other inconsistencies I cant take this guy anymore. He's nice on the phone and says "i got pictures of your engine getting rebuilt I'll email them to you" of course that was two weeks and 3 requests ago....Basically I'm gonna have to fix this myself I picked up a used distributor for $150. (new ones are between $300-700!) I know how to install it and set the timing but i dont think its the root of my engine problem... ANY HELP OR IDEAS I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: inboard repair help please

The dist drives the oil pump, so losing the gear may be from a jamming oil pump

 

[searay3]

Re: inboard repair help please

Engine's gonna need to be looked at closely. Jammed oil pump is not something that you will be fixing from the outside, nor will any cam issues you may have. (both related to the distrib.) Couple of questions you should ask yourself. Is removing an engine from the boat and is disassembly something I'm comfortable with. If you cannot diy it, don't try and get some shmo to claim to fix it. You saw first hand what you get. Go to a reputable rebuilder or shop and have them give you a true estimate. Decide from there. Anyway you look at this it's gonna cost money.

 

[jamesmichael29]

Re: inboard repair help please

the four dealers I called around here would not and could not give me an estimate. I cant take it there with an open ended check....

 

[searay3]

Re: inboard repair help please

Sounds like you want to diy it. Good. Pull the distributor and with a flashlight look down the hole. You will see the cam gear and the oil pump drive. Take a long screwdriver and see if you can turn the pump. It should turn with very little resistance. Look at the gear. Look for any obvious damage on those teeth. If there is damage to the gear, or you can't turn the oil pump, engine needs to come out. You will have to drop the oil pan and see whats happening in there.

 

[jamesmichael29]

Re: inboard repair help please

the oil pump turns. The cam gear has some rough spots on the teeth. teeth chipped but not missing.

 

[searay3]

Re: inboard repair help please

The rough teeth are whats chewing up the gears. Cam will have to be replaced. Question now is, did any of the missing material get in the bearings. Oil is not filtered at the oil pump. Sucks straight out of the pan thru a strainer. If it was my engine, I would pull it and remove the oil pan for further inspection. Sounds like you may end up looking for a short block, probably the most economical. For it to be reliable, you will have to rebuild. Don't understand why the dealers wouldn't give you an estimate, other than the age of the boat. Looking at the cam gear, I would be looking to quote you the short block.

 

[jamesmichael29]

Re: inboard repair help please

ALL KINDS OF GOOD NEWS.... I'll end up pulling this engine and taking it to my former employer (engine rebuilder) maybe i'll get a discount... Any ideas how to pull the engine? boat wont fit into garage...

 

[searay3]

Re: inboard repair help please

There are a lot of alternatives depending on your layout. Some have made a lift from wood 4x4's. Others rented a cherry picker, but it has to lift a long way. Some have used tractors or other equipment they have access to. It's not as bad as a car, a lot less 'stuff'. If you do a search, there are pix. The reason I say short block, these days, by the time you buy all the parts, do the machine work, gaskets and sealers, it will be comparable. The rebuild comes with a warranty. One more question. How is the rest of the boat? You say inboard. If it is a true inboard, it will have a transmission, is that in good shape? Stringers, engine mounts, all come into play. I do not want to discourage you by any means, but the old sayings, Break Out Another Thousand (boat) or a hole in the water into which you pour money, it can become a really expensive restore. Many have repaired all the issues, and enjoy an older reliable boat. Others have walked and looked for something that runs with merc or volvo power. Plenty of help here including the restore forums if you run into mount/stringer issues.

 

[jamesmichael29]

Re: inboard repair help please

it is an 85. The floor is good and solid and the stern drive was in great shape according to the dealer who replaced the impeller last year.