Stuck! Need advice ASAP 7.4 motor knock- need to get home!

tdschafer said:
Russ,
Since a fair portion of labor is removing the decking etc. to access the engine room as per Frank's post what would the cost of another motor be? I am sure it's not cheap but I don't think you have to double the original $12K, right? I am thinking if you can stretch it out over the next 6 months or so could you possibly swing a new motor for the other side? I admit that I too would have trepidation toward purchasing a boat like that with such large disparity in the motor hours. You could probably sell the good motor on craigslist and recoup a percentage of your costs.
Of course this is your money and I am just thinking out loud here. I would assume you would then hang onto this beautiful boat for a few more years and enjoy the piece of mind that you just financed!
Just a thought.
Good luck with it!
Click to expand...

Sound logic Todd but very little labor to pull the floor, there are 6 large hatches all easily removed by hand to allow full access to both engines and V drives.
 
Russ Calasant said:
Sound logic Todd but very little labor to pull the floor, there are 6 large hatches all easily removed by hand to allow full access to both engines and V drives.
Click to expand...

Oh, wow. That must be different than my boat. I have the one big hatch. I thought that Frank made it sound like a labor intensive procedure rmoving the decking. I must have mis-interpreted it. Oh well. I will bow out of this one Russ since I don't believe I am being much help here. Good luck my friend! I hope it works out well and we are cracking cold ones next spring in Port Jeff! I'm buying.
 
Russ,

Just a thought but take a look at these engines on ebay. I agree with you about engines not matching. I would not be happy with that and wouldn't have the confidence in the original motor. You would have to figure your total cost with shipping but the swap certainly should be less labor wise. Why not take the money you are putting into the labor to do a tear down and rebuild and put it towards the 2nd motor. Time is on your side right now so no need to make a quick decision to move forward.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item35b54eda19



Just another thought.... I have to believe that there are a lot of damaged boats out there that will be totaled due to hurricane Irene that have perfectly good motors. That will take some research and effort on your part. just a thought.
 
The 370 has such great access to the motors and pretty much everything in the ER. All the hatches come up MANUALLY and can be tossed aside. I think the cross supports pull out too. And there's a great day hatch right in the middle for quick access. VERY VERY different from a '90s 330DA. I helped a friend put the top end back together on his '95 370DA and it was a pleasure. How nice to be able to stand btwn the engines!
 
Russ,

Maybe I missed something, but if you're making the decision to spend $12K replacing one motor I would assume that you'll be keeping the boat for couple of years. Knowing the possible cause of the failure on that motor I would do necessary inspection of the other side and address, if anything needs to be addressed to prevent similar failure on the other side. But, I really don't see any justification on throwing working engine out just b/c it has 700hrs, which doesn't match to the new engine. This old engine may serve for number of years before you know it. Also, IMO a boat with let's say 800hrs on one side and 100hrs on the other side might bring more attention of prospected buyers vs. a boat where both engines have 800hrs. IMO, it's a simple logic, there was a problem with one engine and the owner took care of it. Now she's got new engine. As a buyer I'd say there's only one concern, which is the 2nd engine with 800hrs. But, when I look at another 370 with 800hrs on both engines I would think that there's a good chance that in couple of years I would have to deal with fixing both engines. This is when I think your boat will make it's way up in the list of prospected boats.

Another point, is that eventually it's all just comes down to the numbers. If you spend $24K for replacing both engines I really don't think that you'll get your money back if you'll be looking to sell in 2-3yrs. It will come down to negotiations and I would just throw couple grand extra to a prospected buyer. This would be a lot harder if you spend $24K vs. $12K.

Tough decisions, but whatever you do just don't rush. Take all things in to consideration and make the final decision that makes most sense for you.

Good luck,
Alex.
 
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cod said:
Russ,

Just a thought but take a look at these engines on ebay. I agree with you about engines not matching. I would not be happy with that and wouldn't have the confidence in the original motor. You would have to figure your total cost with shipping but the swap certainly should be less labor wise. Why not take the money you are putting into the labor to do a tear down and rebuild and put it towards the 2nd motor. Time is on your side right now so no need to make a quick decision to move forward.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item35b54eda19



Just another thought.... I have to believe that there are a lot of damaged boats out there that will be totaled due to hurricane Irene that have perfectly good motors. That will take some research and effort on your part. just a thought.
Click to expand...

Russ, These look great... Even have the Exhaust on them... I wonder how much is would cost to install them...
 
I'd install them for Russ, but he doesn't want me working on his boat...:smt089:huh:

(I tried to reason with him, but he likes having the boat wrapped in shrink wrap all winter, getting cold, instead of letting me keep it in my heated storage while I make improvements over the winter...) :grin:

In all seriousness, those engines are a viable option, BUT, they also represent a step backwards, in that they are carbureted, not fuel injected. So, the cylinder wear rate is accelerated (due to less than ideal air / fuel ratios under various conditions, resulting in more rapid carbon buildup in the combustion chambers and on the piston tops, and due to potential cylinder "wash down" when if and when excess fuel is delivered to the cylinders). Also, the efficiency is a bit less, so his mileage will be reduced a tad.

At this point, I have to assume Russ is overwhelmed with choices - diesel, gas, one engine or two, EFI or carb, rebuild existing, replace with new...aaargghhh!!!

Russ, you need to stop the insanity, go out and buy a winning lottery ticket, and grab the 480 DB you want in the first place. There, problem solved.

Dale
 
MasterFab said:
In all seriousness, those engines are a viable option, BUT, they also represent a step backwards, in that they are carbureted, not fuel injected. At this point, I have to assume Russ is overwhelmed with choices - diesel, gas, one engine or two, EFI or carb, rebuild existing, replace with new...aaargghhh!!!

Dale
Click to expand...

Dale,
Agreed on the fuel injection. I previously owned a 1997 37' Searay (Same boat as Russ). I started looking at earlier models but spent the extra money for that exact reason, I wanted fuel injected motors. However, I thought Russ's boat was a 1996 which would have carberated motors so essentially it wouldn't be a step backwards, just a side step rather then a step forward if you know what I mean. I could be wrong though and maybe his boat is a 1997 which is when they started with the fuel injection.

So..... to swap out with already built motors requires:
Disconnect battery terminal wires at starter & ground
Disconnect wiring harnes
Disconnect exhaust hoses
Disconnect raw water inlet hose
Unbolt shaft coupling
Unbolt 4 motor mounts
Hoist engine out( I believe there is enough clearance without having to remove exhaust manifolds)
Swap tranny onto new enging and repeat putting back in.
Russ's job: Paint under the engines prior to reinstall
Did I miss anything?
 
Last edited:
cod said:
Dale,
Agreed on the fuel injection. I previously owned a 1997 37' Searay (Same boat as Russ). I started looking at earlier models but spent the extra money for that exact reason, I wanted fuel injected motors. However, I thought Russ's boat was a 1996 which would have carberated motors so essentially it wouldn't a step backwards, just a side step rather then a step forward if you know what I mean. I could be wrong though and maybe his boat is a 1997 which is when they started with the fuel injection.

So..... to swap out with already built motors requires:
Disconnect battery terminal wires at starter & ground
Disconnect wiring harnes
Disconnect exhaust hoses
Disconnect raw water inlet hose
Unbolt shaft coupling
Unbolt 4 motor mounts
hoist engine out( I believe there is enough clearance without having to remove exhaust manifolds)
Swap tranny onto new enging and repeat putting back in.
Russ's job: Paint under the engines prior to reinstall
Did I miss anything?
Click to expand...

Sounds like a week end job at Russ's boat... Dale can bring his back hoe, and Russ can provide the Beer and snacks...
 
Well, a few things - the engines on the provided link employ front mounted water pumps, so some new plumbing is in order. And I can't condone the job unless the exhaust is carefully examined for design, hoses checked, etc. (I'd add my muffler isolators to the exhaust mufflers, to quiet the boat too). The bonding system should be checked while it's in the open, along with anything else that's easily accessible while the engine(s) are out.

But, I'd be happy to come and eat Russ's snacks! (somebody has to do it). As stated, Russ now has all winter, so why rush the job? So many things could be done to improve the boat, and its resale value.

And I'd really like to look out from my boat, and see Russ cruising next to me with a big smile on his face.

Dale
 
Dale,

Certainly you are very knowledgable when it comes to marine systems....I too noticed the raw water pump at the crank and was wondering if it needs to be modified to the original OEM pump. I'm curious what your opinion is between the OEM pump and the crankshaft pump. I would think the crankshaft pump is a better application because it doesn't require a belt so less likely of a potential failure when and if a belt were to snap.
 
You guys are great, I keep learning every day.
Alex, that is a perspective I had not considered- thank you, I like it.
She is a 97 and has MPI Gen VI- not sure what the differences are but I know that Mercruiser remans from Merc can be confusing due to part number changes and different block/cam shaft/ head/ piston and whatever else configurations.
Dale, believe me, I would love to have you take her away and bring back better than new. I just can't afford you!
 
I tried 7.4 Mercruiser remans year before last. I gave up on them after we put the 7th one in and had to take it out. If you buy Mercruiser remans, make sure you have an authorized dealer perform the install so that Mercruiser can pay the dealer to install, remove, install, remove, install, remove, install... and warranty the things.

Now I have 2009 8.1s.
 
mistercomputerman said:
I tried 7.4 Mercruiser remans year before last. I gave up on them after we put the 7th one in and had to take it out. If you buy Mercruiser remans, make sure you have an authorized dealer perform the install so that Mercruiser can pay the dealer to install, remove, install, remove, install, remove, install... and warranty the things.

Now I have 2009 8.1s.
Click to expand...

Great Rick, that's what I needed to hear! Yes a master Merc mech and authorized dealer are doing the work. I must have looked up 8-10 engine reman companies followed by a blog search and everyone of them had customers that had bad experiences, some more than others. That actually was part of the reason I decided to spend the extra money for them to do it. It is warranted for one year but they offer an extended warranty that I am now going to consider- thank you.
 
Russ

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Most of the long blocks had oil related problems such as oil leaks (cracked block 2x) and low oil pressure a couple of times. One threw a rod. I still haven't figured out how you can factory reman a long block and not find a crack in the block. I was preparing to start building them myself.

The folks at Mercruiser stepped up to the plate each time and eventually made things completely right, so while we went through some pain and agony, the Mercruiser folks did the right thing and made me a deal on the 8.1s. The boat has done a couple of Atlantic City trips and the current motors have about 250 hours on them, so I am good with it.

Good luck. The factory has deeper pockets than any of us, so I would go that route, although a good engine rebuilder might have done it in a single install!
 
Rick knows two speeds. OFF and FULL AHEAD.
 
Low oil pressure on one (turned out after the swap to be an anureysm in the external oil filter hose).
On the other one, an ECM wire shorted out on the valve cover while running along in the ocean about 3500 rpm. Sucked up a load of water and bent the inside of the motor. Every wire on each of the new motors is now in a loom.

A good rebuilder with some insurance and a good reputation may be worthwhile if he can find the blocks to rebuild. If you have any doubts, go the Mercruiser dealer route. If something runs off in the ditch during or after the process. you have one throat to choke and that throat is connected to a deep pocketbook.
 
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