Lifespan VP 5.7GSI 1998

[Ozzie John]

I was wondering how long my raw water cooled VP should last if it is well looked after, serviced every six months, flushed 15mins after every use and used solely in salt water. It has currently done approx 200 hrs. Of those hours 1hr at WOT and rest in the mid range. 3000-3500rpms.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lifespan VP 5.7GSI 1998

A SBC can easily last for 2000hrs. to 4000hrs.......

However,...
The Saltwater could be the determining factor in just How Long your's lasts.......

And,....
Due to the Fact that I live on a Sweetwater Sea,.....
I won't even venture a Guess........

Around here,........ Neglect,+ Freezing are what Kills Most Motors.......

 

[tommays]

Re: Lifespan VP 5.7GSI 1998

We have gone 28 years with a program like yours


The flushing makes ALL the difference in the world


Tommays

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Lifespan VP 5.7GSI 1998

I think the lifespan is difficult to predict but I think you are good for long time. Maintenance, flushing etc. all plays a roll. I had a 1988 3.0L that I bought as well used/abused boat and I put over 500 hrs on it. During that time, the cylinder head cracked and I was shocked how good the cast iron looked inside the water jackets. The GM cast iron looked great, the mercruiser stuff not so much...ironic how the "marine" components have less chromium in them and corrode worst then the GM parts. ( I am guessing that iis the case, I am not metallurgist.) I now own a 1999 5.0 GL Volvo Penta and it has 600 hrs on it, almost all sat water. I think if you flush them well, replace risers and manifolds and keep decent oil in them they run a long time, even in salt water .

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Lifespan VP 5.7GSI 1998

Volvo did a reasonable job of building the engines to last, so from a work perspective provided they are maintained effectively (and yours would seem to fit that description) they will do many thousands of hours, so with that engine the total hours is not your enemy, in fact its often your friend as its the lack of use that kills most marine engines in a salt water environment. The parts associated with the cooling system are usually the first to go, exhaust manifolds, risers, pumps and the plumbing fitting and fixtures etc. Keep a close eye on those and replace them when they become suspect but don’t wait for them to fail! Enjoy your boat.

 

[Ozzie John]

Re: Lifespan VP 5.7GSI 1998

Thanks for the feed back guys. I agree that lack of use may lead to premature deterioration. When I can't get the boat on the water, I crack the engine over on muffs and innitially, I notice brown water coming out of the leg. I assume this is rust. Would that be correct? The risers and mans are only 12 months old. Should I be worried about this rust?