Mercruiser Woes-What Next?

[abl1111]

I pulled my boat a week or so ago as I always do before opening day of deer season. Weirdest bass season I can remember. The bass here on the southshore never entered the Great South Bay - they all have been in the ocean, caught on jigs. A lot of schoolies. I'm a live bait guy and target bigger fish, so I thought, "well, this season sucked"... But, I do hear it's still on !

Anyway, sorry to hear about your engine, and you're right, it could have been out in a bad place, snotty seas, COLD! etc.

Damn! I'm all about preventive maintenance and I know the job should be done, but it's a tough one to do when all seems perfect ! Your story, however has me freaked out !

Where did you buy your manifolds and set-up and what did it set you back ?

How was the labor, any tricks / shortcuts I should watch for ? How long of labor for each side ? I have done a lot of peripheral mechanical stuff on this engine; fuel injection cooler ( BITCH of a job ), new water ciculator/pump, exhaust bellows, heat exchanger, etc. plus all the seasonal maintenance.

My motor is very clean and well cared for - better than a mechanic would do - I guess anyone on this site has to be fairly meticulous or they would let other people work on or repair their boats... But, a 'clean' looking engine does not tell the inside story...

What'cha think ?

[oldfielder]

If you asked me a week ago, I'd say wait em out, but my manifold failed internally with no signs of decreased performance/overheating. If I could do it again, I would be pro-active. i think you're on borrowed time. If you post the question over on boater ed forums you will basically get shouted at that you are about 3 years overdue.
You certainly can roll the dice, but it's been a crappy end to my season. Good thing I like fishing the surf.
By the way, my buddy had nice fish the last few days in FI inlet on spot and herring-up to 30 lbs.
I got the exhaust from lighthouse in r-head-they go by partman online. Very cool guys and a big operation. All of my research on aftermarket led me to the oscos, which come with all the mounting hardware and the gaskets. Merc is making a low end product now, as well.
You could def. handle the job, but an extra set of hands would surely help. Manifolds are heavy beasts.
If you have any other questions, let me know. I'm hoping I dodged a bullet here.
Maybe we can hook up and do a N.Shore/S.Shore thing in the spring. The fluke bite gets pretty fiery just outside of my homeport in june.
Doug