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Dilbert
01-10-2004, 01:31 PM
My 1997 18 Classic needs major engine work. It has a 5.7LX with an Alpha drive. Considering the rebuild cost and that fact that it has the LX, I am considering repowering it with a higher hp engine, or selling the boat as is and buying another when I can accumulate some cash. At this time I can't spring for more than about $4K. The boat itself is immaculate, the Alpha drive is in great condition. I would appreciate the board's opinion on selling vs. repowering, and if it is possible for me to find a good engine that could be dropped in that will be in my price range. Many thanks!

Dilbert

HyperDonzi
01-10-2004, 02:14 PM
If you are looking to swap drives to a Bravo, let me know.

Rootsy
01-10-2004, 03:05 PM
what did you hurt in your existing motor??? and are you able to do engine work yourself??? lets start right there :)

Marlin275
01-10-2004, 03:49 PM
crate motor
worked for me
http://www.marinepowerusa.com/

As long as it`s a true GM marine crate motor,
it is the same base engine block that Mercruiser recieves from GM.

Dilbert
01-10-2004, 07:08 PM
I bought the boat 2 seasons ago and it appeared to be in perfect condition. I used the boat about 50 hrs for 2 seasons, changing the oil and filter each fall. Never ran the boat hard, but had typical short full throttle runs. On one full throttle run last fall, I noticed the oil pressure dropping. I cut the engine and saw oil in the engine compartment. It seemed to come out of the dipstick. To make a long story short, something went wrong somewhere, got particles in the oil, wearing down all the bearings as well as the crank and cam surfaces. I am not able to rebuild the engine myself :(
The guys that I am working with will put in any engine that I want, but I need to make sure that it will fit without any problems.

Rootsy
01-10-2004, 08:54 PM
OUCH... you had some pressure in the crank case to push oil out the dipstick tube... blow-by or did you plug the breathers somehow?

either way it is gonna be more economical to buy a long block and put her in your boat.. you should be able to do this for under 4000 bucks... depending on hwo expensive your mechanic is.

if you go to a 4V setup you'll end up buying a carb, fuel lines, throttle bracket and really nothing else...

the 350 mag long block would be a nice way to go and put you mid to upper 60's...

Dilbert
01-10-2004, 09:13 PM
Thanks Rootsy. I'm not sure what caused the positive crankcase pressure...everything seemed quite clean. It just seems a shame to spend $4K to get the same 260hp. Is there an easy way to get additional reliable hp out of this setup without a lot of extra $$$? They can rebuild my existing engine and make some modifications if I ask them.

Rootsy
01-10-2004, 09:16 PM
the 350 mag of today is 300 pshp (330 crank)... or close to it in carb form vs efi...

your 1997 350 LX is a 2V correct? if so 250 pshp...

Cuda
01-10-2004, 09:21 PM
You might want to check a couple posts down by Donzigo. Sounds like Gary King built him a real nice sbc. He is in St Pete.

Barry Phillips
01-11-2004, 06:46 AM
Look at it as an golden oppurtunity to build a kik ass 18. Your options are almost endless with the number crate motor builders out there which include GM Performance. A 4000K budget will not cover a new drive though so be careful with your Alfa drive which is good for about 300hp. Use it untill your can afford a Bravo 1. A 400hp small block will push your 18 well over 70mph and should prove reliable. Do your home work and find a good builder.

SO-SLO

Dilbert
01-11-2004, 07:07 AM
I have the 4bbl engine, which I always thought was 260pshp. I am very close to St. Pete, I'll try to look Gary up and get some more ideas.

harbormaster
01-11-2004, 09:10 AM
I had a piston come apart in mine. I paid a mechanic friend 550 to pull the engine and put it back in

I took the engine to my machine shop.

They performed the following for $1370.00

1). Bored all 8 cylinders
2). Milled the heads
3). Replaced all 8 pistons with flat topped versions,
4).Replaced the main and rod crank bearings.
5). Balanced the short block
6). re assembled the long block.

They said they could have stroked it for $1000 more. I declined.

final bill: $1921.00

So 4k is more than plenty of money

Dilbert
01-11-2004, 12:56 PM
Scott, that sure sounds encouraging. Can anyone recommend someone in the Pinellas County area that does good work? The engine also needs a new cam. Is there a way to get more hp out of the engine while it is being rebuilt?

Cuda
01-11-2004, 04:16 PM
Other than Gary King, you can try Ray Hanke at Force 10. I stopped at his shop last week to see about having some work done on my Formula.

Dilbert
01-11-2004, 06:01 PM
Cuda, I don't have any contact info for Gary King and could not find him in the phone book or on the web. Could you tell me how to get in touch with him and Ray? Thanks!

Cuda
01-11-2004, 06:26 PM
Force 10 Marine 727 573 1666
King Marine 727 321 3087

MOP
01-11-2004, 08:05 PM
Hi I did quite a bit of engine shopping and came up with the ones below, I can not recommend any of them not having done Biz with them but some of the other members can more than likely fill in with good info.

Phil

$4,500 http://www.powertorque.net/engines.htm

$2,295 http://www.goautocenter.com/320hp_alum__head.htm

$3,299 http://www.ebasicpower.com/engines/base/

Big list http://www.affordablemarine.com/gm.htm

Dilbert
01-12-2004, 07:49 PM
Thanks Phil. I have received a lot advice to get a crate motor, but I have no idea if different sources have different quality and reliability. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?