Gas re-power

[Michigangeorge]

Hi Guys, I'm in the hunt for a small downeast boat and todays boat is a 22 Sisu with a FWC 302 gas engine which needs to be replaced. Any ideas as to cost of repowering w a brand new engine? And how do I make it a safer installation like the offshore powerboat racers do?

 

[Toolate]

Not sure what you mean about the offshore powerboats?

To me it all depends on how handy you are. There are great options for long block gas engines that you could build or you could buy an all new engine or go somewhere in the middle and get reman (like I did).

Also need to know if you need a new transmission.

 

[Bill]

Take a look at michiganmotorz.com..Ive searched far and wide and they have the best website/ largest selection so you can bang your head over a decision like me over and over again. Like toolate said, you can get a brand new crate 350 and buy all the accessories, or you can go with MM gold or silver drop in packages ( they are brand new 350 crate engines that MM dresses).. or you can go with an Indmar 350 drop in for around $7K and change I think.. check them out..

If you think about going on ebay and looking for a "remanned" dont bother, the reviews are horrible from some of the big sellers on there.. also who ever you buy an engine from that offers a warranty, make sure THEY warranty the engine and not just the manufacturer, I have heard from a few folks about the bait and switch warranty where they drop and engine in your boat ( say merccruiser) and if it has a problem they make you deal with mercruiser directly...

 

[Michigangeorge]

I'm thinking all new marinized engine and transmission from Flagship, Crusader etc. I asked about the offshore racers as it would seem they know their stuff when it comes to safety. Braided fuel lines and methods of securing everything for example.

 

[Beamie]

If your looking for a drop in 350 already all marinized with gear from Mercruiser or Crusader I am pretty sure your looking at 14-15K. That is for a straight inboard. For some reason the stern drive engine are much cheaper it seems...no gear but seems even less than that.

 

[Keelboater]

"......And how do I make it a safer installation like the offshore powerboat racers do?"

In situations where the motor sits directly on top of the motor bed, they do not lag bolt their motors directly to the motor beds as is commonly done elsewhere. Not sure if you have angle brackets or your motor sits on top of the motor beds. A nice set of stainless steel interface brackets that are permanently mounted to the motor beds would be the way to go if you don't have angle brackets already. They either have studs or are tapped for machine screws. This makes changing the motor much easier and can simplify alignment when re-installing a motor. I just did this in my Bertram project and am glad that I did. But the additional thickness of the bracket might require that your motor beds will have to be cut down if no spacer blocks were used in between the motor mount and the motor bed. The go fast guys are always changing motors and lagging one into wood is not an option for them, not to mention they want the motor to stay put while flying 10 feet in the air. Somehow though, I don't think you will have that problem.

 

[Toolate]

If your looking for a drop in 350 already all marinized with gear from Mercruiser or Crusader I am pretty sure your looking at 14-15K. That is for a straight inboard. For some reason the stern drive engine are much cheaper it seems...no gear but seems even less than that.

Just bought an engine from Mercruiser, factory reman so all is new but the block and the engine cost me a little over $9k (I think) plus a ZF trans 63a for about $3k so it wasnt so bad really.