Reasonably Priced 350 Mercruiser's
 

Hi Gang,

My apologies if this post belongs somewhere else.

So.........I got the news today that the 350 Mercruiser's in my 89 IMP 255 Eleganza are basically toast.

I was told that they can be rebuilt, but the recommendation is to get get some decent used ones, and call it a day.

Needles to say I've just scoured the internet (but I'm new to all of this) and everything I'm seeing looks good, but quite expensive.

What do I consider expensive, everything I'm seeing starts at around $6,000 and only goes up from there. (and that's for one engine)

I understand that complete engines are covered in specialized "Marine" parts necessary for these things to function in and on the water, but let's be honest.....at the heart, the blocks and their internals are no different than the 350 inside of a Z28 or Caprice Classic. (except for maybe the freeze plugs, and gaskets)

If any of you seasoned experts out there know of a place where a guy can get two decent 350's "without mortgaging his house".....I'd really appreciate the advice.

Don't get a motor from a car, get one from a truck because the cam is different (same as marine)
Look at pull-a-part (junk yard) and do the core plugs and gaskets. Being an 1989 it will be non-vortec so the intake has 12 bolts. Can swap to vortec motors but some of your attachments may not fit

All excellent points, and thanks, this is why I post in these forums.

You guys are a wealth of knowledge......:ernaehrung004:

Problem being they haven't put a 350 in a truck in 20 years.

maybe a rebuilt from GM?

Needing 2 the same would be the biggest issue finding used unless someone is parting a twin boat out.

I take it you're not doing the work?

What issues with the current ones in the boat classifies them as toast?
Unless the blocks and heads are rotted in the water passages.
A local machine shop should be able to do a basic rebuild of what you have reasonable IMO.
You're not looking for a over the top all out build.
Tried and true 350 rebuild kits hover around $300. for parts.

Do your due diligence before spending any money.
Simple search, I came across These from Jegs for $2100.
Just use your manifolds and tin. They have one with tin for $2200.

Can't vouch for the ATK as I've never used them. Heard of them. Google Jasper also, they're a mass rebuilder.
But they're 350's not to complicated.

Rebuilt ones from Jasper Engines are under 3K each

As Snapmorgan said above, a reman 350 is dime a dozen compared to big blocks. I’d save yourself the headache of a junkyard engine and get a reman or yours rebuilt.

MM has them for 2500
https://www.michiganmotorz.com/5-7l-...engine-1987-95

I was going to suggest them also, forgot as I was typing.
Hell they even have New GM with a 2 year warranty for $3550.

And furthermore Vice, if you go the MM route. Both the links I and Alldodge posted have a roller cam option, that I'd suggest you opt for.
Although I would of assumed the new already would be roller cam. But they list it as an option.

Pace Performance has some good deals. Warranty and new motors. Had several friends buy them because you can't rebuild one anymore for the price.

All good points.....

You're right, I'm not doing the work, the boat yard where I stored her for the winter did an initial assessment, and after pulling the engines recently, they gave me a detailed description of what shape they're in, here's the email:


"Hope you are safe and well. Here is an update for you on the engines and drives.

One engine has had the core plugs out and put back in. One engine is seized, and we did get it to turn over 1/2 way. The other engine is OMC that had core plugs popped out from past non winterization. The engine oil is full of water and consider it NG. Engine has illegal ignition distributor system it is not allowed on marine engines. The intake manifold is rotted out.

I hate to say this but I would not put a penny into either of these engines. I suggest you find 2 good used take outs or reman drop in motors. Let me know your thoughts.

Both engines are out in shop, and the boat is fully shrink wrapped."



This, is why I'm saying they're toast.....

I've read lots of reply's and trust me I've spent hours on the internet doing tons of research, and searches for engines in just about every phase of build & condition.

After all of that research and reading many replies to this thread, I think the route I'm going to go is to either get two "Base" or two "Long Block" 350's and just build them up from there with new external hardware.

It'll be cheaper than buying fully built "drop-ins" but when I'm done it's be like as if I did for less cash.

I realize that I'm not going to get off Scott free here or get two perfectly good engines for a song, but I'm trying to mitigate the spend on this build as much as possible because there's other areas that have to be addressed later on.

The cheapest blocks I found (ironically enough) are from a place that's near where I used to work many years ago when I lived in Florida.

I lived & worked in Florida from 1997 to 2002, and these guys aren't far from where I used to work.

Check it out:
https://rapidomarine.com/default.asp...nginessbc.aspx

$1,550.00 for casting #638 (just what I need)

Thanks for all the advice, and please keep it coming, there's tons of stuff I need to learn.....

Watch the core charge with Repido

If I go that route, I promise I will.....

I used MM and am happy w/the results. Twin 350s in my 292.

Winter Work

I see a few others in here also used them.

I checked out their website and their processes seem pretty reasonable.

Is the boat really worth spending 8-10k on??? What's it worth complete with engines done??? Maybe 12-15k if its in good shape???
My guess is there is probably some other stuff it needs as well. IMO, better off to part the rest of it out and find a new used boat complete.

Oh she needs quite a bit, the cockpit seats have to be reupholstered along with the side panels. (the rear section seats were already done)

The forward cabin interior needs to be freshened up, possibly new carpet & trim pieces.

The hull and stringers are structurally sound as well as the floors. (no soft spots, or major cracking anywhere) All of these areas have been professionally assessed.

I'll want to paint her, and of course I need to address replacing the engines.

Here's the thing.......I absolutely love this boat and there's no way I'm giving up on her. I would have ditched her if the hull, stringers or floor was shot, or if the rear transom area was completely rotted, but all of those areas are super solid, so since she's got good bones I'm just going to stick with her.

Ultimate price tags don't phase me because I don't buy things to flip them or ultimately sell them for a profit.

I've been buying & restoring motorcycles & cars most of my adult life, most of them I still have, and eventually they'll all go to my daughter one day.

So, while I understand your point, I'll be keeping this boat.

Know what ya mean when you like a boat, I put 40K+ in a boat worth maybe 20K

Exactly....:ernaehrung004:

You only get one life, and you can't take it with you.

Where are you located, and where is the boat?

Connecticut, and the boat is at a boat yard/shop also here in Connecticut.

This particular shop had a lot of good reviews and the owner has been responsive & detailed with everything, also his rates seem reasonable compared to a lot of the other places I looked at.

Once we go over what all the options are regarding acquiring some different engines (after having done tons of research, and received lots of good tips within here) I'll be in much better shape as to determine which direction to go.

Check Rapido"s rep. Not good.
https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/west-park/...201/complaints

Just read through the complaint list, and there does seem to be a lot, thanks for the heads up.

I'll put these guys on the bottom of my list.

Well given that info. Intakes rotted and mismatched stuff. All the longblock suggestions might not be the best option for ya.
So seems you may be better off with takeout's if you can find them.
Or like you said, get the longblocks, buy necessary parts from there.

I have installed close to 100 Jasper remans in vehicles of all types and a few boats. The only problem that I ever had was self inflicted when I crossed 2 injector lines on a 6.5 diesel and cracked 2 pistons. Called jasper and explained the situation, they sent me a replacement engine and paid me to install it. I have nothing but good things to say about them.

Nice, really nice, thanks...:ernaehrung004:

These look amazing.

tmdog was referring to "Rapido Marine Inc." in Hollywood Florida.

Is Jasper the same company, I think you may have been mistaken about which remanufactured engine company he was talking about.

Do you have a link for Jasper remanufactured engines?

I think he was just reaffirming that Jasper is a good source for what you're looking for. Not replying to TMdog.
JASPER remanufactured engines, transmissions & differentials (jasperengines.com)

Understood, thanks, and I'll check out the link for Jasper