Is it bad to buy a boat with a recently rebuilt engine?

Question

I am looking at a boat with a rebuilt 4.7 liter Mercruiser engine with about 12 hours on it. Are rebuilt engines reliable?

Answer 1

Can be reliable. How's it sound running? Why was it rebuilt?

Is there warranty with the work? Was the water pump done?

Could the most reliable engine he has ever had...ask questions.

Answer 2

If the engine has had to be rebuilt it usually means it has been well used.. All depends on how old the boat is.. If it is new i don't think a rebuilt is a good sign.. it means it has been really used.. Make sure you are able to find out who has rebuilt it.. Some people do it themselves and then try and sell it as a rebuilt.. make sure a boat engine place did the rebuilding...

Answer 3

I always get concerned about it, only for the reason you don't know what was done to it.  

I have seen nightmare stories of the Mercruisers getting rebuilt at a cost of 1000's (over $10000 au) and having to outlay again and again as the work was never done right.

At the end of the day all motors and any thing mechanical will need replacing rebuilding or reconditioning at some stage.

For peace of mind I would be getting a copy of the receipt and a list of all work done.  With only 12 hours on it there should be a warranty on it.  Find out exactly what the warranty covers as the mercs are expensive to get fixed (but if they are running good they are great engines).

Make sure you find a good and reputable marine mechanic to get the engine checked (see if he has a warrants his inspection), and make sure he is com-potent with the inboards.

At the end of the day you may be getting a better motor than say one that has medium hours on it.  If done right the motor should be close to (if not better than) new, and will give you years of worry free boating.

But take the time to get it checked, but the check is only as good as the person checking it

Good Luck

Answer 4

Find out WHY it was rebuilt.  My bro-in-law bought a Bayliner with a mercruiser I/O engine, and it needed rebuilt.  The guy he bought it from used it in saltwater, and never bothered to tell my bro-in-law that part.  LOTS of engine compenents were corroded and needed replaced.

Answer 5

Boat engines can be rebuilt for a variety of reasons.  In addition to the other reasons mentioned, one of the most common reasons is a cracked block due to improper winterization (or not being winterized at all).  The water inside the block freezes and expands, cracking the crankcase.  This is very common with people who think they can winterize their engine themselves, without really knowing how to do it.

I think you mean the 7.4L (454ci) Mercruiser, and not a 4.7L (289ci).  If so, one of the first things I would look at is the outdrive (I'm assuming that it is a sterndrive, and not a straight inboard.  There are quite a few boats out there prior to about 1988 that have these engines mated to Alpha outdrives.  The Alpha just isn't strong enough to handle the torque that the big block delivers, and I have seen quite a few really expensive repairs because the gears in the outdrive get shredded.

The Bravo outdrive was introduced around 1986 and it is much better suited to this engine.  I personally wouldn't buy anything other than a Bravo I with this engine, except for a Bravo II for a heavier cruiser.  This is just something to keep in mind while you're searching.

If the engine and outdrive combo are ok, and you like this boat, you need to ask the owner the following questions before you make up your mind:

1.  Why was the engine replaced?

2.  Who did the work?  Check out the shop's reputation with other boaters.  If you don't know any, take a walk down a dock and just ask people.  If they have boated for any period of time, they will know who's good, and who to stay away from.

3.  What exactly was replaced (long block, manifolds, accessories, etc...), and was the same generation engine put back in?  The 7.4L (454) has had numerous changes throughout the years, and while they are similar, they're not exactly the same.

4.  What kind of warranty is there on this engine, AND is the warranty good at the dealer of your choice, or is it only good at the place that installed it?

5.  Has the boat ever been kept or run in saltwater (highly corrosive to the engine and outdrive).

6.  Is the owner willing to make the boat available for a mechanic of your choice to do a complete inspection of the boat before you complete the deal?  This is highly recommended, because a good mechanic will almost always find something wrong with it, which helps you to negotiate a lower price, and alerts you to work that will be needed in the future.  It also helps protect the seller from getting accused of covering up a flaw.  A complete inspection with a written report should run between $75 - $150, depending on the size of the boat, the amount of accessories, and the location.

Good luck with your search.

Answer 6

Assuming you have the 454 (7.4), it's a beast.  The blocks are good for many, many hours.  (2000?) My boat has 1200 hours on the 454 Crusaders. (same block)  Are you sure they are rebuilt? Or are they replaced?  Either way as long as the job is done right, it's a good thing.  Look at your engine room and compare it to your car.  A whole lot less there and lots more room to work.  It will be a lot easier to sell a boat with less hours on the engine(s) down the road.

Answer 7

depends on who rebuilt it..........if the price is right I would buy it