Considering an '89 340 Express: Several questions

[WaltL]

I'm trying to do some due diligence/info. gathering. Not sure if all my questions are appropriate for this forum, but figured I'd start here.
I am a long time cruiser owner and pretty handy w/mechanical & electrical, so I can deal with most issues on older boats- big or small (currently own a '75 Penn Yan). This would be my first excursion into a big express model, which I really like, especially the lines on the earlier boats like the one I'm considering.

This boat is all original '89 340 Express and always on fresh water. Clean 4 y.o survey (on the hard). It needs a little love and is priced accordingly, $20k<<. Power is 7.4 Mercs with Velvet drives: 1900 hr (port) & 2200 hr. (stbd) showing on the clocks. I know, that's a helluva lot of hours and major concern.

I sea trialed it today and cold engines cranked quickly and idled great, no smoke. Port pressure was ~50 psi, stb ~ 40. Tidy engine compartment with little water in the bilge and no evidence of oil leaks. Boat planed well and we ran it for awhile at ~ 4,000 rpm (some rattling/vibration which owner said was the engine panels, I tend to agree). No smoke at high rpm and engines seemed to run quite strong.
Okay, now for my main questions (there are others, but these are the important ones):

1) Has anyone here had a 454 powered boat with these kind of hours? The way they run, I think I can probably get at least 2-3 more years out of them, esp. if I spend most of my time at cocktail speeds, which I intend to do.
2) Has anyone here repowered one of these/similar recently and have maybe some #'s to share on expected costs, either going back with remanned BB's or maybe high output SB's?
3) The boat has a very slight list (~2-3 inches) to stbd., but both fuel tanks had same fuel level. Black water tank at rear stbd had little in it. There's a mid-late 80's 29 ft. Sundancer at my marina that lists similarly to port. Is this a common issue to these boats and if so, causes or something I should check for? This is major concern # 2 and really bothers me.
4) Should I just run away, or are these models/hulls worth putting the time and money into? I do love the lines of this cruiser though...

Thanks for any info. and Admin. please feel free to move post to another forum if more appropriate.
Walt

 

[The Bill Collector]

I had a '89 300 Weekender with 454's compression test is a must, and the list is possible water intrusion but the word on this model year supposedly it is a battle tank...

 

[hottoddie]

I have friends with both 340 models, the EC express and the SD sundancer. The express models all sit level but the sundancer lists to starboard for some reason. Could be the added weight of the galley and head being on the starboard side. Fill the water tank to see if straightens out the list.

 

[PlumCrazy4spd]

Not sure if it's the same, but my '88 270 lists to starboard until I fill my freshwater tank. Head and galley are both on starboard side on mine. Water tank is on port. As far as engines are concerned. I believe my boat was fresh water for a chunk of it's life, I know the last owner had it in salt water and it is a raw water cooled boat. It has twin 350's. Port engine was allegedly replace (No documentation, however it does have newer peripherals on it that would lead me to believe that it was replaced at some point.) The port has "200" hours Again, who actually knows. The hour meter was not replaced. The starboard engine just rolled over 1000. I think I bought it with 950ish. Oil pressure as follows. Idle at first start when the oil is cold is about 50 psi on both. Under a load the port holds anywhere between 40 and 70 psi (RPM dependent) and about 30 psi at idle after they're warmed up. The starboard will hold between 40 and 50 under a load when warmed up. and holds between 20 and 30 at idle when warmed up. I'm not sure if this is due to the possible repower and the engine being "Fresh" or maybe if an when it was replaced they put a high volume oil pump in it. The boat is new to me and I've only had it in the water since the middle of May. I put 5 hours on it Saturday bringing it out to Block Island and back, the ride out was mostly 3600-3800 rpm the occasional 4000 jaunts (windy day and wanted to maintain speed), and maybe a half hour of cocktail cruising. On the ride back I was averaging 29 mph at 3200 to 3400. My temps stayed around 145 to 150. And the oil pressure held at the numbers I provided earlier...Now despite those numbers I always having the back of my head (this could be the day I'm bringing it back on one engine lol) I try to maintain a a decent visual on my temp and oil pressure, mainly because it's a 32 year old boat with 1000 hours and salt water cooled. But until that day comes I'll keep enjoying it. I also love the classic lines of the older Sea Rays, Idk what it is about them. The great thing about big block and small block chevies is they're a dime a dozen and tried and trued. I think while that is a lot of hours, if it's always been maintained and in fresh water I don't see why there wouldn't be atleast a few more years left to them. My biggest concern on these old Sea Rays is the transom, stringers and bow deck being saturated. I'm certainly no professional, but I'm fairly mechanically inclined, this is my first boat and I was/still am nervous about it, but nothing and I mean nothing seems to be more satisfying than being out on the water with friends and family. If the boat can be had for a reasonable price and the survey checks out okay. I say go for it!