Hello everyone,
I am writing this in hopes that I can get a second opinion, on what is true, if thats possible.
First some background, I bought a used 1987 Formula 272 SR1 with twin mercruiser 350 magnums and alpha one drives, a real head turner, I knew going in that i was eventually going to have to rebuild the engines, and at the end of last summer I ended up losing the starboard one (Hydro locked) I'm not going to get into details on why that happened because this story is long enough already.
I am located on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi, I was told by many locals that Ocean Marine Group located in Ocean Springs MS was a good honest place to have work done so I contacted them and brought them my boat.
I was told a complete rebuild was needed so I agreed and they began, Well after the first engine was completed they had the boat out for sea trials and the port motor according to them began to have issues, and after a leak down was completed it was recommended that it also needed a full rebuild, so I agree and also ask them to go through both drives while they were at it. 6 to 8 weeks later while they are testing the boat, Both engines fail within minutes of each other. long story short they tell me that a bad batch of pistons was the problem, at this time I am told that they sub out their rebuild work to Bakers machine shop (another local shop). Well what could I do at this point, they had to remove and rebuild both engines again, 6 to 8 weeks later I get my boat back finally, on the very first time out. within 2 hours the starboard motor starts to tap, the tap within a minute or so begins to knock, I shut the engine down and come in on one engine, Contact ocean marine and bring them the boat, all though all gauges showed normal, I was told the engine had let go and the head was cracked some how letting water intro the cylinders and doing other damage (less than 2 hours running) anyhow they rebuild again, BUT they tell me that I need to replace both carbs (even though they charged me to rebuild them already) they think that they caused a lean condition and for them to warranty anything moving forward replacing them was needed, so I did what they said.
6 or 8 weeks later i get the boat back, this time i get one overnight camping trip and 2 single day trips before the port motor lets loose, I bring the boat back again. they call me (after yep you guessed it another 6 to 8 weeks) the first call was to inform me that the wrong head gasket was installed, then a week later (after almost the whole summer without a boat) and a nightmare that began last summer, they call and tell me that in order for them to warranty everything I've got to update my entire cooling system and at a cost of close to 3 grand, they tell me that mercruiser has told them that all 5.7 alpha drives had a weak cooling set up and thats what the do to all 5.7 alpha combinations. Needles to I blew a gasket, they should have informed me of all this a year ago when they accepted the job, I've spent a small fortune on all this work. and Im screwed, I don't know what to believe im not a mechanic but I'm not an idiot either, does anyone know if there is some sort of update due to engines not running cool enough with the factory impeller cooling set up. any help or recommendations would be appreciated. Mike

I call bullzhit. The original engines seemed to last a good may years with this "weak cooling" system, unless the rebuild had a lot of high performance parts added they should have lasted too. It sounds like they've done shoddy work on your engines, and are looking to recoup their losses from you rather than absorbing them and standing behind their work. It sound like you may need a third party inspection, but be prepared for them to balk and tell you that will void any warranty if you have someone else tear them down.

Thanks for the response, the engines were rebuilt pretty much stock, nothing added out of the way, I was content with the boats performance, it's just very frustrating at this point, I've looked all over the internet trying to confirm their cooling mod and nothing so far.

Its BS, there are no inherent cooling issues associated with alpha drives. There are thousands and thousands of them that run fine. So what do they want to do to "upgrade" the cooling system? Add belt driven impellers like a Bravo drive? Yes the belt driven one probably flow more water, but it is not needed on a stock 350.

I was told they want to upgrade the water pumps and install the through hull intakes, so it will still be raw water cooled, not a closed system, they also told me the kits sale for around 1200 per engine plus labor,
I'm just done at this point, I've instructed them to put my engines back together, I also told them I want to be on the boat during their sea trial of the boat, once thats complete, I will take the time to have the cooling system double checked, prior to using the boat, just to insure they are cooling properly.
Thanks for the input.

I live in the same area (Hurley). I have used Baker's back in the day (15 yrs ago) and BACK THEN they did pretty decent work. I know a lot of guys I race with won't take anything to them these days...... Best bet (for future reference) is to use Precision Machine in Wade, MS. I haven't dealt with Ocean Marine, but they have been in business down here for a long time. I hate to hear they trying to BS someone like this (upgraded cooling my azz). I'll be sure not to take any of my stuff to them! Good Luck. Maybe I'll see ya out on the river sometime (I have a 357 SR1, big and purple, can't miss it)

Right on, I'll look for ya, I'm up around pine island at times, so I'm sure we'll run into each other.
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Mike

Going to try to post the documents sent from Mercruiser to OMG