My wifes uncle has just moved to Tampa and had his Sea Ray shipped down from Rhode Island. A mechanic is saying that a motor has water in the cylinder and the engine needs to be rebuilt to the tune of $15,000. It doesn't sound right for a 350 small block.

Can anyone recommend a reputable engine builder in Tampa?

Thats WAY to much. A new small block complete should nt be more than 5 grand. Im sure some locals will pipe in and recommend someone good from that area

That sounds like it is high to me, what kinda boat? Difficult to remove? You can get a crate motor for like 3 grand and the labor is 12k? I will do itf or that!!!

I think a regular on here (Cuda) has a good guy in the area (he is busy though I know) but I forget who he is. More people will chime in.

Is it on a trailer?

The boat is a 30' Sea Ray . It's on stands at Port Tarpin Marina in Tarpin Springs.

15K is insane. Cuda should know who to take it to or who would go pull the motor. Maybe Ray would do it.

Call Ray Hanke at Force Ten in Largo. He should be able to assist.

I'm not sure if Ray will do mobile work, but he has a freind of his that does.

rays shop is a dump...he's never even heard of cometic gaskets. i pulled in to the shop and a guy was pulling out with and older cig he said rays work was just ok and that his rigging was rough/ sloppy. i just had some machine work done @ automotive machining technologies on florida ave just north of flether ave. ph# 813-264-5505. ask for phil, the owner. he has an imaculate shop with all brand new sunnen top shelf equipment. have him rebuild it and pay someone to do the removal and instalation. it should only cost a 2 or 3 k to build a stout sbc. i'd stroke it to 388ci 3.75 stroke with a 5.7 rod 4.030 bore. it will amaze you with the grunt and they are very inexpensive to build. i can help you out with jobber costs on parts through automotive engineering/southern perf warehouse. pm me if you would like more info. im in tampa near the oldsmar flea market. ratman

whoever gave you the 15K price .... RUN from them .....might not even have to be rebuilt .....but prob best