What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

I've got my eye on a '98 vortec 350 that I found on craigslist and I'm going to go look at it tomorrow. The guy that owns it is a mechanic and he said the compression numbers were low and it smoked a bit but no major damage. He is asking $400 for the complete engine, might be able to haggle him down a few bucks. He even garaunteed me that if I found any damage that he'd give me my money back. Sounds like a deal to me.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Should I be looking for an engine with 4 bolt mains. I didn't think about that before. Are marine engines usually 4 bolt main since they are under heavy load all the time. What yall think.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Ayuh,... $400. is pretty steep for a rebuildable core motor....
And,...
No,... 4 bolt mains are Not necessary at all,... Few boat motors have'em...

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Well shoot. I thought it was not too bad of a deal given that its vortec. I was figuring I'd have to give $100-$200 or so for just vortec heads if I bought an older engine, and $150-200 for a block if I bought block and heads separately. Most non-vortec rebuildable long blocks go for around $200 around here. Low milage ready-to-run 350s aren't a dime a dozen around here. I wouldn't use a used engine without rebuilding anyway.

Bond-o, what would you think is a fair price for a rebuildable block and vortec heads?

 

[270win]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

If the motor is standard bore, then I don't think $400 is too bad. But, just keep in mind that you can get a completely rebuilt long block from Rapido for $1200 more shipped to your door. You won't be able to rebuild correctly for $1200...plus they'll warranty it!

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

don't think I can rebuild for less than $1200 really?

 

[270win]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

don't think I can rebuild for less than $1200 really?

Not doing it right. Price having the block cleaned, oil galleys scrubbed, magnafluxed, bored/honed, line hone, decked, install cam bearings and freeze plugs...then having the heads resurfaced. You'll want to check and possibly turn the crank, resize the rods, new pistons/rings, bearings, gaskets, oil pump...then the heads, resurface and valve job...new springs to match your cam. You'll need that cam and lifters.

Are you going back flat tappet or roller?

Timing set....

Just sayin', for the money, Rapido is impossible to beat...plus you get a warranty.

I've build my fair share of racing and hobby car motors and I can't touch their pricing. I'm ordering a 5.7 roller long block from them next month.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

I just drew up a budget on paper and I was actually figuring somewhere around $1300 for the rebuild, but of course it'll always end up being more than the budget I'll definately check out rapido.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Rapido's site says $1450 for a long block plus $150 shipping. That's $1600 not $1200.

 

[ckgreenman]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Rapido's site says $1450 for a long block plus $150 shipping. That's $1600 not $1200.

I believe he said for $1200 MORE (including the $400 for the cost of the engine you mentioned).

I'm pretty much in the same boat (no pun intended) as you are and am checking out all the angles as well.

 

[justchange]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

I've got my eye on a '98 vortec 350 that I found on craigslist and I'm going to go look at it tomorrow. The guy that owns it is a mechanic and he said the compression numbers were low and it smoked a bit but no major damage. He is asking $400 for the complete engine, might be able to haggle him down a few bucks. He even garaunteed me that if I found any damage that he'd give me my money back. Sounds like a deal to me.

When you look at this, tell him what you have in mind. Then ask him how much he would charge to do the work you want. Take that info and see how it compares to a complete marine engine.

 

[270win]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

I believe he said for $1200 MORE (including the $400 for the cost of the engine you mentioned).

Exactly, by the time you pay 1300 for the build and 400 for the motor you're 100 cheaper with Rapido...with warranty.

Plus, you can sell your old motor because Rapido doesn't require a core.

I've got my old motor sold for $500 so my new motor from Rapido will set me back $1200 with a roller cam upgrade.

That's hard to beat.

 

[ckgreenman]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

I've got my old motor sold for $500 so my new motor from Rapido will set me back $1200 with a roller cam upgrade.

Just curious, what's the price difference for a roller upgrade?

 

[270win]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Just curious, what's the price difference for a roller upgrade?

$100...price roller cam and lifter kits. It's a steal...

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

My $1300 was including the cost of the engine. My running 5.0 is starting to look better.

 

[270win]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

My $1300 was including the cost of the engine. My running 5.0 is starting to look better.

Wow, $900 for the rebuild? Man, I don't see how it could be done right for that.

Mind sharing that budget list?

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Crap! Looked at my list again and I forgot to write down head rework. There is the kicker. You're right. My bad. That'll bring it up to around $1600 prolly.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Maybe I should just freshen up the ol' 305 a bit and save myself some money. Sure would like some more ponies though.

 

[270win]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Maybe I should just freshen up the ol' 305 a bit and save myself some money. Sure would like some more ponies though.

you can get an easy 260-300 out of the 305 with a head/cam swap using your same ignition and carb.

But the 350 will still be a better motor long term...IMO.

Figure out what you could sell your motor for too. The swap to the 5.7 might be well worth it still.

 

[mylesm260]

Re: What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

Here's my question.

If you can buy a running votec 5700 with low miles why rebuild it at all?


I dropped a used vortec 4300 out of an astro van into my boat 2 seasons ago, and I beat the @#$#@ out of it and it's still running strong.


All things being equal, let's say you're average truck engine lasts 200,000 miles and you're average boat engine lasts 1500 - 2500 hours..

if you've got an engine with only 80,000 miles on it, then it should have roughly 1000-1500 hours of marine life left on it.

How many people's engines die due to cracked blocks or other catastrophic failures that still have 1500 hours or more of bearing and ring life left in them?