Typical Life Expectancy
- Thread starter TXVR6
- Start date
- Oct 3, 2006
- 4,404
- Boat Info
- 280 Sundancer, Westerbeke MPV generator
- Engines
- twin 5.0's w/BIII drives
Gas I/O engine life average = 1,500 hours
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,187
- Boat Info
- This is listed in my signature
- Engines
- This is listed in my signature
I put more than 3000 hours on a 1979 350, 260 hp merc and it was going strong when I sold it. Owned a pair of those engines in a 86 30 foot weekender. That boat also went over 2000 hours without issues. You need to change oil and filters on the recommended schedule and I seldom ran mine over 3000-3150 rpms. Sweet little engines.
- Oct 3, 2006
- 4,404
- Boat Info
- 280 Sundancer, Westerbeke MPV generator
- Engines
- twin 5.0's w/BIII drives
I agree it can be done. 1,500 is an average I/O gas engine life.
TX – it’s hard to give you a estimate. So many variables. Rebuilt motor only, including installation, a very good price is $2,500. This does not include the various parts external to the motor that also wear and may need replacement. You can double that figure in a hurry.
So $2,500 on the low end, $5,000 on the high end, $3,500-$4,000 is averge for a gas I/O V8.
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,155
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
Those answers are as good as any...there are far too many variables to rely on any one estimate. Sea or freshwater cooled?, salt or fresh water?, recommended oil and filter or WalMart yellow smiley face values items? regular maintenance or not?, run hard/put up wet? regular exhaust system inspection and replacement? I've seen neglected boats have engine failures at 400 hours and others run 3000 hours with proper and regular routine maintenance.
Thanks for the information. I was expecting about that much price wise. No rebuild concerns yet but we have not had much of a chance to use it because of the weather. I think once we've had several all day trips out on the lake we will have a better idea of what shape she is in.
The boat is freshwater cooled and as far as I know has never seen salt.
The boat is freshwater cooled and as far as I know has never seen salt.
Scott;
Why do you say "(foolishly) repowered"? I presume that you are refereing to going back with Carbed engines. . .. but. . . .
(I figure I will do engines in a few years. . .and I will want to switch from Raw Water carbed to FWC EFI's.)
Why do you say "(foolishly) repowered"? I presume that you are refereing to going back with Carbed engines. . .. but. . . .
(I figure I will do engines in a few years. . .and I will want to switch from Raw Water carbed to FWC EFI's.)
OK. Thanks.
I hope this isn't considered a thread hijack, but could I take it as a given that if I can replace 1997 5.7LX (Carbed, raw water cooled) engines with newer 5.7 FWC EFI engines when the time comes?
(my 11 year old engines have 260 hours. . .so hopefully that won't be for a LOOONG time).
I hope this isn't considered a thread hijack, but could I take it as a given that if I can replace 1997 5.7LX (Carbed, raw water cooled) engines with newer 5.7 FWC EFI engines when the time comes?
(my 11 year old engines have 260 hours. . .so hopefully that won't be for a LOOONG time).
Yeah. . .Smart Craft is something I would like. Then the only issue will be "where to put the display".
I want Smart Craft not just because I am a tech junkie, but because of a serious (in my view) flaw with the analogue gauges: When an engine shuts down, RPM will read 1200 and fuel pressure will read 25. WTF?
May not be a big deal on a single engine boat. . .but on a twin engine boat it is NUTS -> I have occassionally stalled an engine, and when you do, YOU CAN'T IMMEDIATELY FIGURE OUT WHICH ENGINE IS RUNNING! All you can do is goose a throttle and see if the engine responds! Not the safest way to go.
I want Smart Craft not just because I am a tech junkie, but because of a serious (in my view) flaw with the analogue gauges: When an engine shuts down, RPM will read 1200 and fuel pressure will read 25. WTF?
May not be a big deal on a single engine boat. . .but on a twin engine boat it is NUTS -> I have occassionally stalled an engine, and when you do, YOU CAN'T IMMEDIATELY FIGURE OUT WHICH ENGINE IS RUNNING! All you can do is goose a throttle and see if the engine responds! Not the safest way to go.
