At what point do you just give up?
 

I have owned the single engine Formula for 18 months now and in that time there have been three motors in it. The first was junk when I got it from failed risers so I knew I would put at least one motor in it.

So I built a nice stroker motor, all forged internals, heads, cam, intake etc. Turns out the machine shop did not put it together correctly and it spins 5 rod bearings in the first hour of run time.

Soooo, a year goes by, I build a bigger, better, more powerful engine with even beefier parts and make ABSOLUTE certain that it is assembled correctly. Engine runs for 30 minutes before oil pump siezes and trashes new motor.

Now I am out of it for season #2. I am starting to wonder if I should just wipe my hands of it, cut my losses and pick up something else in the winter time. I just dont have it in me to do all of that work again for the 3'rd year in a row. At what point does it become silly to just keep doing this?

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

i feel for you 7th motor in two years, triple engine application. i would purchase a nice mild pull out...Tom

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Buy a Merc...

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

What boat and drive is it???
What HP would you like?

There are enough people on here to help you get a good engine, at a good price...and get it to you in time for you to run this season...

Don't loose hope buddy.

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Dang and I was sad because my boat hasn't sold..

Keep trying you will make it....

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I dosen't count when you buy 3 at a time. :D

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I know exactly how you feel. No boating last season... didn't have it in my to build yet another motor.... now I'm getting that feeling again this year... just don't feel like going thru it all again... but I have to if I want to sell my boat... so hopefully this week sometime I'll start turning wrenches again.

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Oh, I did a LOT of fishing last year in my little Glastron... used all of 36 gallons of gas for the season (including a trip to LOTO with it!!)... caught a LOT of bass too.... almost as much fun as ripping across 3 footers on Lake Michigan.

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I'm with some of the other guys here. There is enough talent and good people on here to find a good deal on a merc with a warranty. I would go with some dependable mild power.

Just start it and GO!!

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Mike

I wouldn't give up until you get into the double digits on the number of rebuilds. :D :D :D :drink: :drink: Never give up!

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I feel you're pain, but with me it was trannys, 6 in 2 years. Got real good at pulling drives and engines. broke down and bought huber 925s, installed yesterday.

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I would go stock power and get some time out on the boat. Unless you can go to a high end builder that is reputable and will stand behind issues like what you are having.

Jon

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Buck up Tiger, it gives you something to cry in your beer about at least. I would say go Merc also if you want the dependability. If you are looking for the custom power line then there are plenty to choose from around here on this board.

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I'm sorry for your dilemma and this probably won't make you feel any better...but..... it has been my experience that as soon as I hear the words..."I built a motor"..... 9 times out of 10...it is followed by a story exactly like yours. There is a reason why Mercruiser is in business......... They build marine engines for a living.... and they build a lot of 'em. Sure they aren't all perfect...but their batting average is well up there as opposed to the .100 B. A. (1 out of 10) for the average do it yourselfer. And if you get the occasional "issue"..... Merc's motors are warranteed.

So, while you and many others might have "saved money"..... where's the solace? This phenomenon is even worse when you throw boat racing into the mix...... than you not only have failure ...you have wildly exaggerated horsepower.... (generally complete with dyno sheets)...... but no boat speed, acceleration, nor engine life.

The sad thing is that this issue continues ......... With no recognition for the simple fact that even a guy who does major auto engine work in a garage somewhere....... generally produces poop when it comes to a boat motor.

Sadly it's a different world with higher stresses, different assembly, and much more taxing operating conditions.

Good luck to you...but if you really want togo boating...buy a dependable package from a reputable marine manufacturer.

T2x

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I can understand. I have had my Donzi for two years and have maybe one hour of run time on it. :(

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I'm working in SFO now, I may have to hop down the coast for a fix soon. :D :drink:

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Hell, just bring them to me, I'll rebuild them for free and you don't even have to say thanks.
Just ask, oh never mind :cool:

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I understand where you are going here, but I didn't want to go with factory Merc power, nor did I set out to save money.

I went with a reputable builder (the second time) and a part failed. He didn't build the oil pump and I didn't buy a cheap OEM replacement. Crap like this happens even on Mercs but you are correct, I do not have a warranty. Merc does not offer the power I was looking for in a small block configuration so I built one using nothing radical but definately above stock.

Apart from the short block I did ALL the work myself and made 110% certain I did it correctly. I am just not sure if I have it in me to do all that work for the third time. I am only in my "home" city 6-8 days a month and for the last 6 months I have done NOTHING but work on the boat while I was at home. It's the being a hermit in a warehouse for the next few months that makes it the hardest if I decide to rebuild. OR, I could just scrap the project, cut my losses and buy something I dont have to tinker with.

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Say!.... Doesn't Norty go out all the time?....... :rolleyes:

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Will you wear the Santa hat again?

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Only if Norty's hair blows off again!........ :D

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

I feel for ya :(

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Ttt....... :d

Re: At what point do you just give up?
 

Damn Reed...Glad that you decided to come up for air!!! How's it going??? :drink: :drink: :D