Exhaust risers do it yourself??

tdshafer. was that boat in NewYork? I know its salt water but not like it is down here in south florida. I lived in Longisland and worked in freeport and its amazing how much worse the corrosion is here than there. Even Mercruiser didn't believe us until I would send them the parts back and actually they came a few years ago to see for themselves.
 
Thanks..

Bruce quoted the job,,, just under 1000 for labor,, 4000 parts, 350 tax.

Yes it is a tight fit and the reason I do not like to work on the boat,, as it takes a small very flexible person to do this with relative ease,,,

I suppose I can save 1-20% on parts and will probably take me two days of work,, so what is my time worth etc,,,

Unless the parts they quoted you are titanium, you can save a lot more than 20% by DIY'ing.

http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page350.html

Manifolds, risers and gaskets are in the $600 range per engine- for either Barr or Osco.
I've had no issue with either brand, used them both, and as far as I'm concerned there's no justification for getting bent over to have these be "OEM" with a Mercruiser label on them.

Do you mind providing the detail of their parts estimate- I'd like to know how they get to $4000?
 
tobnpr. the exhaust you are telling him aren't the correct exhaust for his boat. those are all for the older motors. His has the dry joint which are allot more expensive. The price MM quoted him are probably list price from mercrury.
 
Labor, Labor, Labor.............The deception of the work involved. I was intimidated at first by the cost, till I did it myself, peice of cake, just time and effort,
 
okay, I got the all parts priced at around 3600 and labor at $400
4
BALL-CHECK @ $1.00
$4.00

4
CONNECTOR @ $20.06
$80.24
2
FITTING @ $26.82
$53.64

2
FITTING @ $26.82
$53.64


4
ELBOW EXHAUST @ $289.43
$1,157.72

4
MANIFOLD EXHAUST @ $343.34
$1,373.36

2
KIT 3" RISER @ $461.08
$922.16
 
Here is a picture of mine done with GLM aluminum ones powder coated for about $695.per side W all gaskets plugs.

I didn't think the aluminum manifolds held up well in saltwater - how long have you had them? Do you flush after each use?
 
Aluminum holds up fine in saltwater...they build hulls outta the stuff.

Yeah - I've thought about that and it didn't make sense - but I've heard the manifolds were a different story for some reason. dunno...
 
Yeah - I've thought about that and it didn't make sense - but I've heard the manifolds were a different story for some reason. dunno...

You may be right...

I was wondering about the heat issue, and whether aluminum can take it. I guess so, or they wouldn't make them (presumably).

I've see the SS ones, but never aluminum.

At that kind of cost- double "standard type" manifolds and risers- I'd sure be looking at alternatives if there are any.
 
All the 8.1 mercruiser pre 2004 had aluminum exhaust manifolds and I loved them. Why? Because almost everyone rotted out and dumped water back into the exhaust ports and filled the motor with water. It gave me LOADS of work. After that they came out with the cast iron manifolds to replace the aluminum onesand they been using them since. I don't think I have any around now but if I do I'll take a pic of it.
 
Oh and dry joint. I'll be at mercury school all next week. I'll try to take a pic of the exhaust and of a gasket and you will see a difference. With the new exhaust systems you cannot have a riser gasket leak and water drop into the exhaust ports. You will understand when you see the pictures. Actually the dry joint is now the old system and the have the catylist motors ( yes catalitic converters like a car). You think you exhaust is heavy now! Just wait. And you think you exhaust is expensive. You should see the prices! good lord.
 
Can you say dissimilar metals, at high temp, in a salt bath...
 
Can you say dissimilar metals, at high temp, in a salt bath...

I know right. You would think that the Mercury engineers would think about that. They have been making engines in salt water for some time now right? Just shows you it is all about saving money at the beginning, don't worry about the millions it cost in repair they saved money initially. Just stupid.
 
Removed the manifolds and risers today. not difficult at all.

one of the Port engines water ports on the riser was clogged down to a 16th of inch hole ,,makes sense as engine was running a little warm,, the rest looks rusty and in need of replacement, I am glad I did not extend for another year

I need to get a few more parts, I.e the manifold gasket ,,and and elbow, but should be finished tomorrow.


FLFLATRATE... I looked up the torque specs and they indicate 20ft lbs for the manifold, is this correct?

WATER HEATER

Also I removed the water heater,, what sa PITA!!, will put the new one in before I button up the port engine manifold as this give me more room.

The engine water inputs for the water heater were completely clogged and corroded , causing my leak. so i will cap these off going forward...
 
Panchita, are you replacing mannys too or just risers/elbows? You have any photos of the manifold passages? I'm curious what they look like after 3 (was it 4??) seasons of Floriday usage. Here's what my (likely original) manifold passages looked like when I pulled them a few months back. I'm guessing they're original b/c the left and right side of the flange of each manifold port features different thicknesses, which necessitates bolts that are two different lengths. The new design has each side of the flange the same thickness. Keep in mind this is a 20 year old boat with full factory FWC, used always in fresh-brackish water...

105_1629.jpg


105_1625.jpg
 
I will take some photos. your boat must have a heat exchanger as I can see the antifreeze.. keep in mind my boat runs sea water through it so it corrodes faster,, and particulate matter builds up and clogs things up..
 
Yes, these engines are fresh water cooled (FWC). The passages were in good condition considering their age - what necessitated replacement was the deterioration of the mating surface at the top of the manifold. The gasket was failing on one manifold b/c of poor contact and the others were likely soon to follow. This turned out to be a nightmare of a job - imagine what the bolts looked like after 20 years!! It's a miracle only 4 broke and one needed the head cut off (it rounded).
 

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