Piston Head Retooling?

[MTRBTR]

So I inquired about a boat today that has the 330 excalibur. Boat has 575 hours. Owner told me that at at 500 hours he had a major service done. One of the things they did was "retool one of the pistons that was mushroomed" he was told by the mechanic that this was most likely from running too low of RPMs while surfing. So should this cause me concern as a buyer? Should I run?

[charlesml3]

"too low of RPMs while surfing?" Never heard of such a thing. Sounds like BS to me.

-Charles

[MTRBTR]

regardless of whether its BS or not, any one ever heard of the procedure and what it does?

[j2nh]

I think he is referring to a valve that for what ever reason came in contact with the top of the piston. I have never heard of a piston mushrooming but I have heard the term used when referencing valve failure.

I will join Charles in calling BS on the cause being low RPM's due to surfing. It just makes no sense on multiple levels.

I would want to have a heart to heart with the mechanic who did this work if you are considering purchasing it. 500 hours on an Excalibur is not even broken in. We have over 1500 hours on our club 196 and it runs like brand new.

[charlesml3]

Yea. I've seen boats come into WLM from ski schools with 5000 hours on them. They run like new.

[MTRBTR]

So I got a little more info.... actually it was a Valve that was tuliped and they replaced all of the valves.

[gary s]

Now you need to google tuliped valves,read what causes it and decide what you want to do. Personally you have to be thankful the owner was honest with you that it happened,he didn't have to mention it,but you have to wonder how,why and was it corrected so it does not happen again.

[MTRBTR]

So I was able to talk to the dealer service department that did the work. He said that the manifold on one side had cracked. He said he has only seen that once or twice, and in his opinion was a problem with the original casting. He said the #7 valve had tuliped nearest where the manifold had cracked. They replaced that manifold and the valves on that side. This work all took place this winter. The owner says he has put on about 20 hours on the boat since this happened. The dealer told me they had offered to sell the boat for him but he wanted to use it this summer. So I feel like the owner has been very honest with me. However, its a 12 hour drive to go look at the boat and I want something that is going to last so I am concerned about this. Everything else about the boat is very nice. The dealer told me the owner took good care of the boat. Not sure what to think and looking for opinions.

[j2nh]

It sounds like the engine was repaired at a reputable shop and you now have an accurate background on the boat. If the work was conducted properly you should have no problems going forward. It's hard to give a thumbs up or down without more information including price. If the price was competitive I would not be worried about the engine.

[gary s]

+1 and another plus for them being up front with you. You might never know if the next one you look at had any past troubles.

[MTRBTR]

Price is very competitive