Engine Busted Budget | Boat Restoration

Engine Needs Rebuilding

Trouble in paradise, we have issues with the lower end of the Mercruiser 3.0 engine in our 2004 Bayliner Bowrider 175. We don’t have the A-frame needed to remove it and don’t really want to pull the engine ourselves. Issue found when we got the new head on the engine from Clearwater Cylinder Head on, then ran a compression test. We discovered that cylinder 3 was getting half the compression needed at only 60 psi. Already out $800 to get the new head and the gaskets to put the head on, we had to make a decision on how to move forward.

The next day we called some local shops for a rebuild and were horrified with the numbers. The highest quote we got was $8,000 and the lowest was $5,000, at this point we were about ready to get us a welder to build the A-frame, an engine stand. So we started just sourcing shops that sold rebuild long blocks and was very pleased when we found  Xcessive Engines. They were located in Florida and would rebuilt engine for $1600 with a 2-year warranty.

So now with our minds at ease, the cost under control, only out $800, we needed a shop to put the engine in. We tried Marine shops, but once again way too high, so we thought automotive shops would fit the bill. The first and only shop we called was JB Automotive, the owner was a younger man with the tools needed and having a fair price of $900. “Update JB Automotive does not complete or stand behind work!”

While the boat was gone we thought we should pick up a few things we needed. We sourced life jackets from BassPro, a place Danielle new well and once worked. We found a cheap BOSS radio on Amazon that would fit out entertainment needs. We wanted a depth finder that would also do navigation and have charters so we went with Garmin, they aren’t cheap but we think it will be worth it. Of course, we are going to review all our cool new toy on YouTube so y’all stay tuned for that.

We also started cutting out the wood we would use for the new seats. I love this part, just so much fun to work with your hands, not in an office. Once you have the task completed you have a tangible product you can touch that you created.

The story will continue once we get the boat back from the shop with a newly rebuilt engine.

Please stay tuned for future updates.

Boat Restoration Blogs

1. Getting Our Boat!
2. Stuck Valve Merc 3.0
3. Battery Power
4. Bilge Pump Install
5. Boat Floor Demolition
6. Boat Gelcoat Shine
7. Sanding Bilge
8. Engine Busted Budget
9. Missing Pieces
10. Engine Wiring Harness

We hope you enjoy this as much as we do! Also, you may want to check out Dining in with Danielle for great recipes!

Commonsense provided by my love Danielle Redding.