New Power

[sbu22]

For a pleasure boater that already has 454s, rebuild/replace in kind. Crusaders are great engines. Last longer and perform better than the "nothing but diesel" folks care to admit.

FF's recommendation re: Jasper is spot on.

 

[mbevins]

For a pleasure boater that already has 454s, rebuild/replace in kind. Crusaders are great engines. Last longer and perform better than the "nothing but diesel" folks care to admit.

FF's recommendation re: Jasper is spot on.

I agree.... I've had them in past boats and have one in my 23' center console. It's bullet proof.

 

[kev_rm]

I'm not sure I would agree with an outboard / pod option being less than a 7.4 replacement or fix. Long blocks can be had for 3-4K.

 

[Lepke]

First find out what's wrong with the non running engine.
Almost every city or port of any size has an engine rebuilder. Most will be way less than the prices I see here. The big expense is pulling the engine and reinstalling. Going to different engines creates other problems. Right now everything fits and hooks up.
If you were in my territory, I know qualified mechanics who would rebuild for under 5Gs and we don't even know if the current engine is fixable as is.

 

[Pau Hana]

The challenge with rebuilders is that many are automotive specialists, and do not realize that a marine engine has a different operating profile than one ran on the road.

 

[FF]

"The challenge with rebuilders is that many are automotive specialists, and do not realize that a marine engine has a different operating profile than one ran on the road."

Perhaps this is a hassle at local shops , but the big pros are happy o provide marine builds or HD truck gas engines.

They have the proper cams and salt cooled valves and HD valve guides for higher HP long term output.

 

[ranger58sb]

Another advantage of replacement or full rebuild -- i.e., with engines removed from boat for a while -- is the a serious detail cleaning of the engine room and bilges and so forth is much easier. And that in turn can improve overall odor, mildew, goop control, etc.

-Chris

 

[CooperBrewer]

Update: Today a local machine shop is on the rebuild of the engine I have out of the boat. They said a couple weeks and it'll be done and ready to reinstall. Now I just have to find someone to do the installation

 

[FF]

"They aren't going to last as long, but you get a much lower initial cost at purchase."

A modern gasser with fresh water cooling should last about 4,000 hours , depending weather there run for cruising or at WOT most of the time.

At 200 hours a year for the usual pleasure boat use , that's a lot of years.

 

[CooperBrewer]

I believe the boat is set up for RWC or sea water cooling. I don't see any heat exchangers or tanks.

I thought about fresh water conversion, but I'm not sure it's worth it???

 

[sbu22]

That's also a consideration for rebuild of the existing engines. I'm assumng this is a salt water boat. Not sure I'd want to invest in quality rebuild of a raw (salt) water cooled block. Maybe consider short or long block (as apporpriate) with your old bolt-ons and a San Juan fresh water cooling kit. Probably need to consider fresh exhaust risers while you're at it.

 

[FF]

"I thought about fresh water conversion, but I'm not sure it's worth it???"

Back when most boats were sea water cooled the expected engine life was about 7 years.

With engines that were expected to run 1,000 or 1,500 hours , engine changes were fairly common.

Either worn out or rusted thru.

Just look at the adds in a 1950 Yachting mag.

FW cooling is not hard or expensive , esp if you can find used heat exchangers .

 

[Mrwesson]

How often would you take it out?

Can you easily haul the boat out(you'll need to if you want to replace them)?

Do you want to go fast?

This is a trawler forum but i'd start collecting parts to put together 2 350 chevy's. I'd put them on stands in my garage and check them out top to bottom to get everything as ready as I could for when I haul out.

I'm not a fan of 454's personally and would rather lose the speed.

Another option would be a bracket with an outboard.

I wouldn't consider diesels unless you are almost constantly on the move.

 

[CooperBrewer]

Here is an option, and right in San Diego! You'll have to check if you can use standard rotation engines, or need a reverse rotation engine...

Pair of 350 Mag "Horizon's" w/300hp ea. | Affordable Marine Service

I will need one reverse rotation.... or different prop?

 

[FF]

"They aren't going to last as long, but you get a much lower initial cost at purchase."

With modern gassers going 4,000 hours and rec boaters doing 200 hours or so a year , 20+ years from now when the gasser needs replacement , the air police will probably decide the engine you require.

Brand new crate engines will be different then , but probably still the lowest cost for R&R.

 

[Mrwesson]

You could always get creative. These people got this boat home a long distance with this setup(the boat is beautiful now BTW).

Nice photo out of respect.

A boat doesn't become a dock potato if it's being used. With working engines would it be taken out often enough to make it worth it?


After googling the boat it looks like a decent candidate for diesels. I'd buy a pair of used ones for around $10,000(probably a pair of volvo's because they are plentiful), paint/freshen them up and swap them in.

 

[CooperBrewer]

Upon reading this post (originally posted in 2017)

Update: I still have the boat. Yes, my 1990 Cooper Prowler still sits in the marina.

The boat is in much better shape than when I acquired it, but still needs lots of work. I can only work on it on weekends, as I'm not full time live-aboard. For a regular guy like me, I think this is ongoing commitment.
This is what I've done, with some help from this forum:

Rebuilt and replaced the missing port side engine. Successfully repowered my port side Mercruiser, fresh-water cooled 454 engine. Runs good now. Also revamped cooling/ventilation system and exhaust, driveshaft alignment. Painted bilge on port side. Everything that was involved in getting it here, is a big "nuther" story.

Bottom paint, and replace trim tabs.

Made changes in the galley (microwave, stove, fridge, etc.) and some cabinet work.

Pulled starboard engine - ready to send small block to engine builder. Already have new heads and I will send all the cooling stuff to local radiator shop for refurbishment.

I will putt "Hiatus" to the boatyard - for haul out. They will crane the starboard engine block from my fantail, to the back of my truck: to bring to rebuilder. This will be the first time that Hiatus has cruised under her own power (albeit on one engine) for at least 10 years.

I will also replace dripless shaft seals, when I'm dry docked.

That's it, so far.

 

[FF]

"They aren't going to last as long, but you get a much lower initial cost at purchase."

As many pleasure boats do 200 hours a year, the 4000 hours a new OTS gas crate engine should take care of a couple the first few decades.

Gas engines are cheaper to fix $5.00 spark plug vs $100 old injector rebuild or WAY! more for an electric injector.

Diesel is great for the 1000+ hours a year folks , but there are few in White boats.