Engine Re-power Advice

[Robert Haynes]

Thanks for the quick responses to all.

Fishinwrench, are you saying If I rebuild and break in, I can get more profit out of the motor than if I sell as is? How much more? M/L

[fishinwrench]

You'll come out about 2k ahead vs selling/trading as is.  Plus you'll get to run it awhile....(a couple years?) if you choose.  

There are 3 ways to "rebuild".   On a fairly low hours motor you can simply repair the damaged cylinder, inspect everything else  closely and re-use what you can after determining what caused the failure and rectifying THAT.

OR you can have all 6 cylinders freshened up (bored or honed) and all new pistons, seals, Reed valves,  plus rectifying the original cause of failure.

OR you can go full-out top to bottom remanufacturing, replacing everything on the entire engine that can wear or degrade, regardless (except the crankshaft of course). Fresh paint, ect. But you only wanna go that route if you plan to keep it and pass it down to your kids because it is going to cost about 1/2 of what a new motor would cost.  

[Robert Haynes]

Thanks Fishinwrench for the simple breakdown. I will start getting the engine evaluated when I return from my trip. 

[Quillback]

We need to get Wrench to relocate his operation to Rogers.

But since that won't happen, another suggestion is to give Bella Vista marine a call.  They have a very experienced Mercury mechanic.  Even though they are called Bella Vista marine, they are located in Rogers.

[fishinwrench]

A Southerly move is seriously considered every Winter

Even if my shop was down there I'd have to truck my blocks back up here for boring/sleeving.  There's not a better machine shop in the world than HGM in Lebanon.  

[J-Doc]

totally agree....but you can't tell a Merc owner anything.  They have this cosmic mental block thing going on that no matter how bad they are getting screwed they just have this voice in their head saying "Black Black, the motor MUST be black".   

I used to be anti-Merc and was very hesitant buying one but the folks I know that have them rave about them. 

At only 1yr now, I am very happy with mine.  Unless it gives me a reason to go back to disliking Mercs, I'll keep enjoying it.  I'm not totally loyal to a brand itself. And all I had to do was lift the cowling on a new Etec to know I didn't want one.  Too many electrical parts and wiring.  My new Merc seems simple and reminds me of my old 79 Rude.  Less parts to replace. :-)

I think all outboard brands are pretty good these days.  They all have their quirks, they all have their issues but the newer outboards of TODAY seem pretty good from what I've heard from most.  A few years back, not so much an even playing field.  Seems they have all stepped up their game.

 

Obviously I'm not mechanic and I bow to your experience/knowledge.  I'm basing my opinion on user feedback of all brands over the past year plus from other forums I've been on.  I shopped long and hard before buying my boat. Research is key.