My application for idiot of the year award...

So I rolled the dice this winter and lost. Yep, cracked engine block. Boat is at the shop and I'm getting options on replacement motors. Marine shops around me are limited but wanted see if these options sound right. Boat is a 2005 Outback. All numbers are ballpark but out the door prices.

Option 1...brand new motor, about $15‐16k
Option 2...replace with long block, about $8500 + any other parts that need to be replaced to make it fit
Option 3..."good" used motor, about $8500
Option 4...sell the boat needing a new engine

Any advice on the best way to go? Only had the boat a year but got a helluva deal on it. Paid less than any of the options listed. And I'm in Jackson, MS. Anybody with shop recommendations around here would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and please DM me where I can pick up my award.

sucks to hear.

first question would be what your longer term plans are for it.
if you're going to keep it for the next 5 years, I'd stick a new long block in it and replace anything that shows wear. I don't think I'd spend the new motor monies as most of the parts can be re-used. assuming your vdrive/tranny are still good.
if you're planning on peddling it in the next year or 3 I'd either sell as-is and pocket the few grand or stick a used motor in it and sell.

I would shop that price a little bit. Did you look at Summit? Or did that 8,500 include installation/labor too? Also, do you really need a long block or would a short block do it? Unless you are concerned about the old heads. I take it you have a 6.2L in it now?

Make sure and shop those prices. The Ford 351 marine long block to replace your Assault 325 is $2300 (Summit Racin in-stock). Anything else that might be wrong (assuming Trans and V-drive are good) shouldn't be more than $1500. Labor is $2000-$2500.

All in I'm seeing closer to $6000-$6500 for replacement.
A good shop, this is a 4 day job if they have parts and no back log. Hell I put a V8 in a YJ wrangler in a weekend.

Good luck

https://www.bakesonline.com/indmar-m...ck-engine.html


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Originally Posted by larry_arizona

https://www.bakesonline.com/indmar-m...ck-engine.html


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That one may as well be free. :D

Thanks, everyone for the responses.

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first question would be what your longer term plans are for it.

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The wife and I talked a little about that last night. Anyone got an idea what we could sell it for...ballpark? Are we talking $3k? $7k?

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did that 8,500 include installation/labor too? Also, do you really need a long block or would a short block do it? Unless you are concerned about the old heads. I take it you have a 6.2L in it now?

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Yes, all prices would include installation/labor. Current motor is the 5.7

I'll definitely shop it around and see if there are other options.

Is this a v drive, or direct drive?
How’s the condition of the rest of the boat?

Send me a pm. I’m interested in taking it off your hands.


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Boat is direct drive.

Those prices are a bit absurd - especially for a direct drive with WAY easier access to R&R than a v-drive.

For perspective I had the exact same motor replaced (V-drive) after a winter "faux pas" in I wanna saw 2008. $3750 for a long block installed, complete and out the door with a 3 year warranty. Actually bumped it up to 340hp in the process. There's nothing real magical about it - it's a marine small block chevy. Sure that was a long time ago, prices are up - everything costs more, but triple to quadruple?

For an older boat out of warranty never take it to a dealership unless you like paying crazy markups for engine work. At least around here they rarely do their own work - they farm it out. I found out what shop they use and went direct to them. This is the same shop that will swap out motors in the Sherrif's jet sleds with a 24-48 hour turn around so they're good at what they do.

I would be willing to travel and drop the boat at a reputable shop for the right price. Or if you are feeling mechanically inclined and want to play with a little more fire, have a look at one of these: https://blueprintengines.com/collect...-block-engines

You'd be amazed what a few buddies and a case of beer can accomplish.

that link you just sent reminded me of some good times. In my car days, Late 80s-early 90s, I had a sb400 I put in an old 80' firebird espirt (came with v6) that was brutal. Until my friend took his 350 and dropped a 400 crank in it to make a 383 for his old z28. That thing could turn up the rpms in a hurry and sure enough lay down the power!

did they say where the block was cracked? Most chevy blocks crack between the freeze plugs.I have repaired them with jb weld and they have lasted for years.Most shops wont do a repair.Is there water in the oil?

Actually, did you make sure it wasn't just a freeze plu leaking?

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Originally Posted by james yarosz

did they say where the block was cracked? Most chevy blocks crack between the freeze plugs.I have repaired them with jb weld and they have lasted for years.Most shops wont do a repair.Is there water in the oil?

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He didn't say exactly where the crack was but yes, water in the oil. Water was coming out of the motor into the boat along with some oil.

My old coworker who went through this on his direct drive outback a few years ago when he rolled the dice. We had a freak ice storm that lasted several days with hard freezing temps and he didn't drain all of the water like he thought he had. He bought a replacement short block and reused everything else from his old motor. He said he paid a little over a grand shipped and he swapped everything over and installed it himself. As they mentioned with it being direct drive you have a ton of access and it's pretty straight forward swap if you have a engine hoist or can rent one. He got his from a place in Texas called https://www.mabbcomotors.com/

I'm with hack's buddy. direct drive is a piece of cake from an access perspective. I'd replace the motor myself and then decide to keep or sell. MIGHT need some help with a forklift as not sure an engine hoist would go high enough and far enough in but even that would only be 4 or 500 to rent one for a day to do the swap.

not mechanically inclined I would be surprised if you spent a grand for a block that the whole job would cost north of 3 or 4k. your real issue will be finding a shop that has time in this day and age. seems most shops are months out for major work like that.

I don't think I'd be willing to tackle a job like this on my own...nor do I trust, well, myself, and a few buddies to take this on. :-D But I have thought about buying the engine on my own and finding a shop to install it. Unfortunately the shop that has looked at it is the only one in town that works on inboards that I can find. If anybody is within a couple of hours from Jackson, MS, feel free to recommend a shop.

Anybody have an idea of what we could get for it without the motor? Are we talking $5k? $10k? $3k?

without pics and descriptions it's a moot conversation.

you'll have no issues peddling for 10grand with a clean hull and good interior. if it's used and shows it, 3-5 would be closer.

You only being a couple or so hours away from Central Alabama, there are several places around Logan Martin, Lake Martin and Lake Guntersville that I would trust to do it. I have no idea about costs but if you are limited to 1 local shop you might try and look over here.

If there is water in the oil forget the repair.Block must be cracked internally.Exhaust manifolds could also have issues.