Rebuild or Replace?

[intrlaz]

First I want to thank everyone who helped me out trying to diagnose my GT-40 issues under the post "2002 SAN Gt-40 engine missing."

Unfortunately the problems were worse than expected, and the engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced. I've been quoted 5500 for the gt-40 rebuild, which does not include a block, heads, or accessories (assume they arent need), but they will cook the block, bore it, new pistons, and just about every other mechanical part will be replaced.

On the other hand I can put in a new 343 EX with closed cooling for about 10k all in. Obviously this includes all electronics, accessories, etc. If I did this I may have some salvagable GT-40 parts that could be sold, including new manifolds, risers, and closed cooling.

Lastly, I guess I could try to trade or sell the boat as is and cut my losses.

This is my first nautique and it has pretty much been a disaster from the beginning. The dealer thinks the boat may have been submerged. Everything but the engine seems to be in good working order though.

Everyone's thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again all for being a great resource.

[jjgag60]

rebuid or replace

I rebuilt my gt-40 in my 02 SANTE this last spring after the old block froze. It cost me $6,000 to have it rebuilt and installed. One of the sensor went bad and it kept flooding the engine, so we spun a bearing. Thank goodness the rebuilder did the machine work for free and I paid the $700 for new parts. I had to remove and replace the engine myself.
If I was to do it over again, I would buy a bolt on replacement from SKIDIM where the motor comes with a new computer and everything. It is a plug and play.
The part you cant put a price tag on, is the fact the motor spun the bearing the first part of July and I lost the whole month of sunny July. Our season is very short and you don't want problems. Pay now or pay later !!!

[richard]

RE: rebuid or replace

look for a GT-40 rebuild basic engine at 2k some thing, more match a 85 boat.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

RE: rebuid or replace

wow, i can get motors for around 2500 short blocks with heads

[intrlaz]

Re: RE: rebuid or replace

wow, i can get motors for around 2500 short blocks with heads

What motors can you get?

[maxpower220]

Re: rebuid or replace

It cost me $6,000 to have it rebuilt and installed Thank goodness the rebuilder did the machine work for free and I paid the $700 for new parts. I had to remove and replace the engine myself.

None of this makes sense??? $6000 for $700 in parts and free machine work, plus you removed the engine yourself?

[crghou]

RE: Re: rebuid or replace

I think he is saying originally his engine froze and it cost him 6k to get it rebuilt. Then after the rebuild it spun a bearing and then he had an additional 700 in parts and the guy who did the original rebuild was kind enough to do the machine work for free...the 2nd time around. I am assuming the 2nd time he had to pull the engine him self.

[ClemsonDave]

RE: Re: rebuid or replace

where are you located?

did they say why it needs a rebuild?

[intrlaz]

RE: Re: rebuid or replace

Located in North Florida.

They said head components were in very bad shape. One of the valve springs had broken. Also a damaged piston.

[ClemsonDave]

RE: Re: rebuid or replace

That's not a bad price if they are doing the job start to finish. If you were closer, I'd help you do it yourself. Probably $1200 - $1500 in block machine work and valve job. Apx. $1500 in parts (pistons, rods, bearings, springs, and a bunch of misc). The rest is labor, which is pretty reasonable.

You could hunt around for a used longblock if you want to save a few bucks. If it were me, I'd rebuild what you have for peace of mind knowing what I've got. You could also bump the power up a bit with .030 over pistons, milling heads, etc.

[behindpropellers]

RE: Re: rebuid or replace

I would find one of the guys pulling a motor that are going to a DBW boat.

It would be about $3k.

I might be interested in your cooked engine if it is a GT-40.

Tim

[JUST-IN-TIME]

Re: RE: rebuid or replace

wow, i can get motors for around 2500 short blocks with heads

What motors can you get?

what are you looking for

[intrlaz]

Re: RE: rebuid or replace

wow, i can get motors for around 2500 short blocks with heads

What motors can you get?

what are you looking for

Well I'd like to stay with the motors that were intended for the boat, gt-40 or excalibur. I'm assuming you dont have access to gt-40 blocks with heads for that cheap, and with the ex I would need all the accessories obviously.

[intrlaz]

RE: Re: RE: rebuid or replace

Tim, it is a gt-40, and I will let you know if I decide to replace it

[bobchris]

RE: Re: RE: rebuid or replace

well your block and the accesoies are fine you need new pistons and a valve job on the heads basicly.

, so the best way to proceed is either have yours rebuilt at a local machine shop and 6K is way out of line for that. Even pulling the motor, **** you can buy create motors for that price actually. 2k-3k is more like it should be even with them pulling the motor, **** take it to jamie at FI inboards he'll do a good job for you and it believe he's in your neck of the woods.

But basicly all your accessories are fine and can be reused, so you need the crack turn at worst, new timeing chain and gears, cam and lifters, new pistons it will need bored .010 over min, and a valve job or new heads which you can get for 500-600 bucks tops if you know where to shop. So to say that everyting needs replaced is not true.

another option is getting a long block and swaping over all the other parts. Question is how handy are you and do you have the time?