Blown Mercruiser 5.0 Alpha. Low hours. Replacement options

[keith]

Hi All,

I bought my 23 SF late last year and it didn't run great on the test drive. I bought it from my great uncle's best friend (who is very sick) and figured it needed a tune up. Cap, rotor and coil looked bad. 2007 5.0 alpha (carb) with a 2007 alpha one gen2 outdrive. 280 hours on the package. Rewired the boat and tuned it up and found out the compression was bad. 0 on two (opposite) cylinders, 50 on two, 150 on two and 170 on two. I have the option of using a long block and swapping the parts or going all new. I am concerned about the long block idea because I am afraid of what blew the engine so soon. Any advice on a new power plant for my boat?

5.0 mpi
5.7 mpi
5.0 carb
5.7 carb
or this new motor 4.5L https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...specifications

Pretty unhappy with the whole situation but what can you do. I think since I have the opportunity to upgrade I may as well but wanted the opinion of the Seacraft squad.

Thanks