Local garage mechanic?

[colsrob]

Alright people....many of you already know that I broke my boat motor last season. I tried quite extensively to repair it myself, but kept running into a rock wall. All I found that was needed were replacing the main and rod bearings.

I cleaned the crank surface, got the new bearings and installed them. Had to make a few adjustments, but got the mains fitting nice...I think. However, no matter what I did, I could not get the rod bearings to fit right. I tried to the point of screwing them up, so I need to get another set...no big deal.

The big deal is, i'm tired of trying, and don't think I know enough to continue on my own. I need to find someone locally(preferred) that is good at motor repair, yet can do it on the cheap. I was thinking $300-$400. The rod bearings are not expensive(about $35 a set), and the motor is already apart. I need someone to make sure everything is decent enough, and then professionally replace the rod bearings and put the bottom end back together. That's it.

It is currently on a stand. I have the means to put it back in the boat. I just need it operational. Is the price fair enough to get any attention? If other repairs are needed I can decide if I want to spend more. However, I have found complete, ready to install/run motors for $500. At some point it will get to the not worth the effort/expense mode.

Oh, the motor is a Mercruiser 3.0 inline 4cyl. I so need to get this thing back in the water this season.

[jason454ci]

If you had to make a few adjustments at all something is not right. Rod and main bearings should go in with no problem at all. Sounds to me that you did not have the right bearings or something is not right with the crankshaft or connecting rods. If none of the rod bearings would fit I would think the problem is wrong bearings.

[colsrob]

Feb 23, 2011 23:00:34 GMT -5 jason454ci said:

If you had to make a few adjustments at all something is not right. Rod and main bearings should go in with no problem at all. Sounds to me that you did not have the right bearings or something is not right with the crankshaft or connecting rods. If none of the rod bearings would fit I would think the problem is wrong bearings.

See, I thought the same thing. I got them from Sizzle Marine and they were supposedly the ones for my motor. It didn't seem right to me. Every rod bearing was a tad too long, and when the 2 halves were torqued down, it squashed the tips and made the clearance too tight. I just figured that they needed to be made to fit. Shims or something, and that's not something I wanted to mess around with. Figured i'd leave it to a pro that knows what's going on.

Thanks for letting me know that I wasn't crazy.

[stangcrazy85]

what did the back of the old bearing say should of had some ##'s if they are the same ##'s on the new bearings then im lost

[colsrob]

Feb 24, 2011 14:08:29 GMT -5 stangcrazy85 said:

what did the back of the old bearing say should of had some ##'s if they are the same ##'s on the new bearings then im lost

My motor is a '92. The new bearings have different numbers, based on the bearing manufacturer, but the guy at Sizzle used a cross reference for the 'right' ones. In his defense, I also checked with NAPA and their chart listed the same bearings for just about every Mercruiser motor. The 3.0 4cyl that I have apparently use the same bearings as the 8cyls.... as long as they are all the Chevy blocks.

I don't want to say that Sizzle screwed up, because I really don't know, but something just wasn't right.

[NorthportTroller]

Look around on the interent and do some research on those part numbers buddy.

[colsrob]

As soon as we find a way meet up, I should be able to pass along some info on a possible motor rebuilder. I do not know if there are any types that he can't/won't do, but the prices seem good.

The builder picks up the motors, but our schedules seem to be at odds right now. I should know more fairly soon. He is most likely more local to Columbus, but I will find out his range as well. Just in case someone else might need assistance.