1998 Baja 5.7 248 hours. Thought I had a starter problem. Mechanic came out and there was water in the cylinders 3 of 8. Says he needs to pull the engine, machine it, and rework the heads. Will put a better cam and I think roller rockers for 6k. Said this is the only way to do it right. With out tearing it down he doesn't know if it's a bad intake manifold or heads but either way the block should be machined. Does this sound like my best option. Wasn't prepared to drop 6k.

6K Seems high to me.
You could buy a brand new engine installed for that.

Hell buy me a plane ticket and I will come down and install it for you

I personally would pull the heads and see if I could find the problem. 248 hours is not that much.

$6000 is WAY too much. You can get a brand new crate motor for a lot less than that, something like 3600.

You can buy a mildly nasty 383 stroker for 6000.

Ask him what cylinders were wet. If they all 3 were on one side of the motor, it is likely it is an exhaust manifold/riser issue. I am fighting the same thing right now.

Found this link from old post at other site, 325HP complete for 3500:

http://1800runsnew.com/gmpp.htm

I may be in a similar situation right now too. Although, as of right now, I'm not even sure what's wrong with the engine exactly. 1999 5.7 Mercruiser with only 182 hours on it

I've seen that motor listed above for $3500, but isn't 325hp pushing it for an Alpha lower?

Welcome to the OSO, I recognize you from the 'other' forum. I am J388 or something like that over there.

Yes and no, depends on how you treat it. Traviss here is pumping 550 HP thru an Alpha, with zero problems. I will be around 370-400. The 'sane' rule of thumb I hear a lot is 350hp.

The consensus here w/high HP small blocks is to take it easy on the drives, (no full throttle hole shots or air time) use a drive shower, and keep good fresh lube in it.

Big blocks (454's, 502's, etc) aren't recommended, because they typically have more brute (lower end torque).

Well that's good to know! I don't think I'd go much beyond the 325hp anyways, as that would move a 19' bowrider along pretty well as it is

this is the best deal ive found on a NEW crate mtr with holley carb delco ign ect

Ive installed several all with great results

heres the link

http://www.engines1.com/fs350.html

$6K is a lot of cash. I also have used the above engine like Joe with good customer results. That wouldn't be a bad deal for you if you have a 260 hp or less. For 6K you could get new exhaust and hoses plus rebuild the t-stat housing and replace the coupler for that!

As usual, just my .02.

John S.

Wow that is a smokin deal

Is that distributor C.G. approved?

Looks like an automotive one.

Everything is coastguard approved. Its built for marine applications.

John S.