Why do marine engines cost so much?

[Mamier]

Pricing new or remanufactured MerCruiser engines (want to go from the current 260hp to the 300hp). I can't believe the cost of a new engine or even a remanufactured unit. Gesh, you can by a new car for the price they want for just the engine. Can anyone tell me why? lol. Also, any thoughts about Victory Marine (peddeling engines on Ebay)? Thanks.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Why do marine engines cost so much?

I don't know the answer to that one......The basic block is nothing special, it's the accessories that are more pricey becausee thaey are marine rated....I have no personal experience with Victory.....Doug Russell has engines & I have heard good things about rapidomarine.com, on re-builds............JK

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Why do marine engines cost so much?

Someone has to get paid to tear down the truck engine and exchanging all the non marine parts for marine parts and then putting it back together.

 

[dave zeuschel]

Re: Why do marine engines cost so much?

Mamier try michiganmotorz.com I got a brand new 350 vortec marine motor short block with an aluminum intake for $2700.00 shiped to a frieght company near my house. I think the motor has around 325 or maybe it was 315hp my other motor was rated at 235 so it a big jump for me.Ask for roger has been very helpfull.DZ

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Why do marine engines cost so much?

Just be careful of too much H.P., alpha series are only rated to 300 H.P. and that is the high end. Like your engine is rated to 4200-4600 W.O.T......I don't think that you would run your engine at 4600, day in and day out, but your out-drive will be at or near its breaking point if you are heavy-handed on the throttle. So......JK

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why do marine engines cost so much?

2 reasons, the labor to marinize it and the admistration costs involved with parts and the fact that the marine market is really small compared to the warrenty claims against it.<br />its why chysler,then ford bailed out of the market and why mercruiser started manufactuirng some versions of the high performance 5.7 motors for GM. <br /> was chatting with a GM rep at a boat show some years back and was told the GM market was about 10% of engine sales and something like 80% of warrenty claims. when that mercruiser or volvo pops and we take it out and send it back the factory then tries to determine the cause and will charge it back to the manufacturer if its a manufacturing defect. kinda like the thousands of circulaating water pumps merc ate some years back. GM changed the shaft seals and the new seals were not compatible with the mineral and salt content of raw water cooling, they failed like roaches after a spray down.<br /> GM did not warrenty them so merc ate it.<br /> the consumer footed the bill in the end.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Why do marine engines cost so much?

The pricey accessories as I suspected.. When I was a much younger man and was smart enough to figure out that an auto pump fit 'just fine ' for $30.00, I was startled to find out it lasted for 30 minutes ......$1.00 a minute.....That's right about the cost for gas now.... ...JK

 

[Mamier]

Re: Why do marine engines cost so much?

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Perhaps I'll keep the ole 260 until she dies, then repower.