New 260 owner and need re-power

2

260Dancer

New Member
Oct 27, 2015
4
Florida
Boat Info
2001 Sundancer 260
Engines
350 Mercruiser w/Bravo II
Hello,

Purchased first boat last month, 2001 Sundancer 260 with 540hrs has Merc 5.0/Bravo II. Not the best power option I wanted for a 6k lb+ boat but after looking for 3 months I settled on it for $23K with a 2009 trailer. Prior to sale dealer replaced gimble bearing, transom assembly, and shifter boot. Great first few times out besides replacing the starter. Cruising a week ago, all gauges reading normal and then the motor just shut off and wouldn't start. Decided to find out the cause myself and started with draining the oil. Full of sea water so I pulled the spark plugs, saw a damaged plug and decided to pull the head. It had broken a valve which then knocked a hole in the head causing the engine to be filled with gallons of salt water, also cracked the piston and broke the connecting rod. Best investment I had that day was getting Sea Tow (highly recommended) when I purchased the boat so I was towed in. With a 14yr boat I took the risk of buying a older boat and I should have started with re-building the heads, then bought new manifolds and risers since I didn't know when the last time they were replaced. Really enjoyed the boat in the Florida panhandle the short hours I put on her and now getting quotes on the re-power. Hope to be back on the water soon and enjoying it.

Just dropped it off at shop and complete turn key 350 5.7 Merc is around $6.5K with 3yr warranty for engine, was quoted just over $2K for labor. If any have re-powered your Sea Ray please let me know if this is about the norm you spent.
 
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Sounds like it hydro-locked... maybe you took a wave to the stern? I would be checking the exhaust flappers.

Sorry about your bad luck, but welcome to CSR!
 
I just paid 2500 labor to replace one of my engines......I put in a new GM long block so it included swapping the intake, exhaust and all accessories - the lower price of a rebuild was tempting, but the failure rate is high and while its "warrantied" the price of labor to remove and install the replacement is not.
 
6.5K is for a complete engine including manifolds and risers. That certainly is not going to take 2K in labor to install.

Are all your bolt on parts junk ? If there in good shape , you probably only need a long block for about 2.5 K

You probably have a fuel injected engine now for that 5.0. If that's the case that ECM won't be optimal for that 5.7
 
Whew! First off I'd say sorry to hear about your engine knocking off on you. That sucks! I signed up with Sea Tow right away before mine ever hit the water because I'd heard good things. This in my first Sea Ray and so far I'm loving it. The original owner didn't winterize the boat I bought from him one year and it cracked the block and the head sitting on the trailer in his backyard. He had gotten an extended warranty when he bought it new on the engine and good thing. The boat has a Mercruiser 5.7 and I love this engine. It really moves! I wish you well in your replacement adventure. The good news is that at least you know your engine will be solid from here on out.
 
Not enough info. If carb, stay carb but go to a 5.7 TKS or aftermarket. Not the best choice, but most effective bang for the buck. If EFI, I would go with an aftermarket stroker. Same mounting pattern with more power and torque. VVT is a must. I haven't seen whether Merc uses that or not.
 
Thanks everyone, with the age of all the bolt on parts like alternator and others I decided to go with a full crate engine. I looked at the exhaust flappers after the engine failure and they are both functioning/decent shape.
 
Better go ahead and add freshwater cooling while youre at it. At 6k why not do a long block for around 2500... i have a 88 and just did long block. Saves you 3500

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
 
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Needed new intake manifold, risers, and manifolds. Also water pump as previous owners didn't flush engine well after salt water use. Decided it would be best for going with new complete crate engine instead of building one.
 
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