Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

[dcg9381]

The upper gear case on my 1998 Glastron Carlson has come to an unfortunate end. The case itself has an internal break and cannot be salvaged.

Motor is a 454 Mag MPI. (385hp)

I'm told that "aftermarket" gear cases are not a reliable solution, especially on a big block and that I should stick with Mercruiser.

The shop is quoting me replacement cost of my upper drive at $4200 + labor. I'm considering going with a "remanufactured" upper drive, but I need a pointer to who is a good vendor in terms of price, warranty, reliability, and overall reputation. Vendors I'm considering:


BoatEngine.com, 1 year warranty, $2,295.00 + $400 core
Lakeconroemarine.net, unlisted price
sterndriveshop.com, $3800 - no core
nashuamarine.com, unlisted price, seem to be reman'd by merc marine.
crowleymarine.com, 1 year warranty, $2988 (built/reman'd by OBR)


I do note the good advice on this forum and I need to have my lower looked at also, just in case I've got debris in the lower gears.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

Howdy,


You're planning to replace only the upper?

I would not put that lower on a new/rebuilt upper unless it was completely disassembled, carefully checked, cleaned, resealed and assembled.


Depending on where you're located, there's a LOT of ebay sellers (reputable dealers) that are selling complete Bravo I/II/III drives, rebuilt and new, for $2500-5000 total.

Some only sell to certain areas but one example indicated a rebuilt Bravo I for $2950 .......They even have a new one (with prop) for $4000.

You might even consider putting a Bravo III on it.... I originally looked for a Bravo I to replace the Wonderful OMC King Cobra. I would not trade the Bravo III for a Bravo I now!


I have never bought something that expensive on ebay. If I did I would want to buy it from someone that is close enough so I could pick it up and maybe inspect before I paid. You haven't posted your location but there's a LOT of dealers across the country that sell Mercruiser stuff on ebay........ it's at least worth considering.



Cheers,

Rick

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

Shop is recommending replacing the upper and doing a complete teardown, cleaning, and inspection of the lower. The estimate is 2 hours labor.

I've found a "new" Mercruiser Bravo-I drive. One shop is buying engine/drive combos wholesale and selling off the parts. Cost on the complete drive is $3600 shipped to me. They're indicating 2 year warranty on the drive. I'd try to confirm the coverage before buying.

The shop I'm working with is saying they won't warranty anything that they can't confirm the source of the parts on. I'm not sure this is an issue, as the Mercruiser warranty only covers parts only - no labor. I suspect that they're making good margin on the price of a new upper gear case ($4200).

Thoughts on this? Any way to resolve?


The other thing that I'm getting a little suspicious of is a 3 hour quote to replace the gimble bearing, now that the drive is out... That's on top of the labor to pull and replace the drive. That sound right?

 

[tommays]

Re: Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

I must be spoiled because there are so many shops here BUT i cant see trusting a strange place to rebuild a drive when i can walk in and see the place and who is doing the work

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

I can walk in and see them doing the work. However, I can't hover overhead while they do it. If I had that time, I'd be doing it myself.

Is there any way for an individual to verify origin/warranty on a Mercruiser drive via serial number or do I need to go through a dealer.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

I had a frank discussion with the owner of the independent shop today.
Basically he was trying to tell me that I'm better "covered" if I let him put in a Merc upper gear box versus replacing the entire drive.

As it turns out, it comes down to profit. He makes money on two things: 1) Labor 2) Mark up on parts.

I told him I had been in the auto business and that I understood where he was making money.

Basically, he told me it wasn't "worth" it to him to install parts that I had brought, regardless of of origin. I was cutting him out as the middle man and costing him around $1000 on the job. He told me that he simply wouldn't install my parts unless I covered that loss...

At least he's honest..

I've got a $3600 new Bravo drive on the way, 2 year warranty. Looks like I'll be seeking another shop to do the install or I'll be doing it myself...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

Installing a complete Bravo drive is so simple, even I can do it! But I'll assume that you'll get it in two pieces due to shipping weight issues. Even so, I don't think it's hard to put the two halves together. (but I have never done that) And putting it on the gimbal is almost as simple as it gets. Just make sure the rubber "o-rings" are in place, and that the shift cable sticking out goes into the jaws of the lower shifter cable sticking out of the drive.
Good luck, and have fun.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

I may do that - but this is "worst" case, I'm reinstalling what someone else has taken apart.

The gimble is being replaced, I believe this requires drive realignment (and the associated tool), correct?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Reman'd / Replacement Bravo Upper: Which one / vendor

Yep