1997 GT40 Rebuild // Mechanic Recommendation

[iSki]

Greetings fellow Nautique friends. I am looking for an extremely trustworthy mechanic to rebuild very low hour GT40 motor that got completely submersed. I used to do this kind of work but no longer have the time. I am in Dallas, TX but willing to tow the boat pretty much anywhere for the right Nautique wrencher. Anyone have recommendations.

[Jonny Quest]

If that was my boat, I would find any decent auto engine rebuilder. That is a small block Windsor and was found on many Ford vehicles. Lots of F-250s in the 1990s had the 351W in ‘em. Now…as the boat was submerged, I’m betting that your ECM is toast. Unfortunately, the ECM is no longer available, I would retrofit that engine back to carburetor and a nice electronic ignition system. Add a nice aluminum intake manifold and you are up and running with performance similar to your old EFI system. Parts are readily available…

JQ

[fsts2k]

You can actually get an ECM from GT40Marine.com and there are instructions on this site how to do it yourself.. they are not cheap but it is solvable.

I don't know what your budget is but I would consider talking to someone that does repowering to see what it would cost to drop in a different motor. Per a thread on CorrectCraftFan.com there is someone named Tim White of Inboard Solutions who might be able to help.

If you want to rebuild, agree with the above on an automotive rebuild mechanic.

[SilentSeven]

How long was it submerged? Fresh water, right? Has anyone actually tried to get the engine started? NautiqueJeff has some amazing stories of engines that have been 'sunk on the trailer' (boat on trailer fills with water) being brought back to life with minimal work.

Regarding the ECU - if you need one - there are cheaper solutions than $1K - check this thread / https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...efi-ecu/page12 The TL;DR is you buy a used Ford ECU from ebay, get a flashable chip (used by Ford hotrodders) and then have one of several people who have the flashing setup program the chip with correct GT40 soiftware. I did this some number of years ago (wanted a spare ECU for my prior boat) and I recall my total cost was closer to $350.

[gary s]

Moats who supplied the J3 chip had problems during covid getting them. He decided to retire taking all that knowledge with him. But this in the past 2 months has been posted so check with him if a J3 is needed https://eectuning.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23820

[SilentSeven]

Interesting news on moates. Thanks for sharing that. Agree it looks like there are workarounds being developed.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

[Scooter G]

How long was it submerged? Fresh water, right? Has anyone actually tried to get the engine started?

Seems a valid unanswered question...