Originally Posted by phragle

did he at least winterize it?? have everything checked, if he didnt put it away properly and it frooze, you could be looking at a cracked block, heads manifolds and or elbows. a mildly built 383 will eat a 350 for lunch. with some diligent looking, you can get a 383 'kit' for under a grand balanced.

Originally Posted by Bvalery

I was able to get a merc 383 package for 11,000 with a bravo drive. It is a package sold by Merc Quicksilver with a warranty. Good deal. I think the 350 mag pushed 275 hp and the 383 mpi pushes 350. The boat has a great engine area with lots of space, so the 383 is perfect because it is lighter then the 454 or 496 and less expensive.
Might be a good replacement for you. Look at the cost of labor and parts. A drop in engine is sometimes less labor expensive and you can get a warranty.
Good Luck.

Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater

I would scrap that whole engine and replace it. Putting that boat out on the water could be dangerous the way it is. Judging by the pictures I really would not spend any money trying to fix the engine. Get it done right the first time. If you spend the money upfront rather than try and patch it you will save money in the long run. Its like fixing an old car - yah it might get you another month or year, but eventually you will need a new one.

Originally Posted by Sutphil

rooster,
Looking at the engine photo, you are correct to be concerned about the exhaust and should attend to that before running the boat. The danger is that the exhaust can be rusted badly enough on the inside that it leaks water back into the cylinders.