New to the boating world. 305 car long block work?

[jimmyebay]

ok. found a 1979 ebko. believe its the cobra. its got the 305 in it(228hp mercruiser). someone didnt winterise it and block is blown out on both sides...can i just get a 305 from a car and transfer all appropriate parts to the long block??? are the motor mounts bolt on spots all the same for the 305 block?? the exhaust manifolds are cracked too. just a ball park on price if you could. guy is asking 600 dollars for it. interior pretty bad. would this be a money pit?? also how good are the out drives on these boats?? i can take the prop and pull it outwards and it does have maybe a 1/8 inch to little less than 1/4 inch of outward play(normal?) let me know what you all think. sorry for so many questions. just want to make a good decision and new to boats. thank you for you time!!!!

 

[Honest Don]

Re: New to the boating world. 305 car long block work?

you can use an automotive motor as long as you change out the freeze plugs for brass instead of steal. You should also use a marine gasket set, more specifically the head gaskets, just to be sure they're not stealor any other corrosive material. all the mounts are the same, and everything else will transfer over. Be sure to re-use the marine oil pan, and main bearing caps and bolts, this is to be able to retain the windage tray. Why not just go with a 350 too. unless you have a 305 hanging around might as well get some extra go out of the deal.

 

[QC]

Re: New to the boating world. 305 car long block work?

You really want a truck/RV cam or you risk water reversion . . . Not sure what the end play spec on the propshaft is, but they do feel like they move a bit. Poke around in the adults only Section ^^^^ for a service manual and you can find the specs. Good luck.

 

[45Auto]

Re: New to the boating world. 305 car long block work?

block is blown out on both sides

the exhaust manifolds are cracked too

i can take the prop and pull it outwards and it does have maybe a 1/8 inch to little less than 1/4 inch of outward play

interior pretty bad

"Money pit" will probably be putting it mildly. Don't be surprised if it also needs bellows, gimbal bearing, u-joints, and lower shift cable. Doesn't sound like it's exactly had first-rate maintenance. If the floor has any soft spots or has new wood in it anywhere, it also probably needs floor, stringers, and transom on a 30 year old boat.

Look around and see how much you could get for it in good condition once you fix everything on it. Sounds like it would be about a $1000 boat in running condition. You're going to spend more than that in parts on it, assuming you do all the work yourself.

It may be a good deal if you have the ability, time, and tools to do a lot of stuff yourself. Hard to say without seeing it. Take someone who knows a LOT about I/O's with you to look at it before you buy it.