# Can this engine be repaired? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 6, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460 "2023-05-06T14:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![arsenault.brett\_185128](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@arsenault.brett\_185128](https://community.cartalk.com/u/arsenault.brett_185128)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/1 "2023-05-06T14:42:53Z")
Hi, This boat has been sitting for 12 years. My goal is to get this boat running. By looking at the pictures do you think the engine is still in good shape? Will it need a new engine or an engine rebuild? I have more pictures that I can upload later ![1B3CDDFA-5508-4DD0-A702-D633F547B074](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/9/b9c0990a3c90817267cb36474b74739ac1cabf24.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/2 "2023-05-06T14:48:50Z")
Which part of the engine does that picture show us? What type of engine is it? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/3 "2023-05-06T14:55:19Z")
You can try honing the cylinder out, but it doesn’t look too promising. Tester ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/4 "2023-05-06T14:56:57Z")
If that is what it looks like inside one of the cylinders, then all I can say is… Yikes! Tester is almost surely correct. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 3:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/5 "2023-05-06T15:04:33Z")
I am assuming since I can see the top of the piston and no threads that that is the cylinder bore with the piston close to BDC (bottom dead center), then that would make that rust on the cylinder wall?.. I’m with Tester and VDCdriver, not good… ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/6 "2023-05-06T17:39:02Z")
The engine needs to be rebuilt… bored oversize, new pistons and rings at a bare minimum. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/7 "2023-05-06T19:25:06Z")
I think a new engine might be cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/8 "2023-05-06T21:50:12Z")
What model engine is this, exactly? With the cylinder looking that bad I wonder what else is wrong. A complete tear down is needed. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 9:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/9 "2023-05-07T09:48:59Z")
If that were mine I’d just start budgeting for a new or used (running) engine. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 12:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/10 "2023-05-07T12:53:10Z")
> [@arsenault.brett\_185128](#): > > My goal is to get this boat running. By looking at the pictures do you think the engine is still in good shape? Good shape? Definitely not. Why has it been sitting? Is it because of engine issues originally? Unfortunately, you are about to find out that the engine on a boat is worth more than the boat itself when you go to rebuild or replace it. Been there, done that a couple times. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/11 "2023-05-07T13:36:01Z")
As above. If it is a SBC based MerCruiser the SBCs are pretty much interchangeable. If yours is a 305 it can be replaced with a 350. With the cylinders in that condition likely the exhaust manifold and risers need replacing. If an outboard, power head needs replacing. Might be time to look for a new or good used engine. Consider all the other drive components, ie power tilt and trim, steering components, lower unit, cooling system. Fuel system, likely carburetor needs rebuilding or replacing, I just had a small carb on a 15 HP two stroke done~$300 parts and labor. As to the boat, what is the condition of the stringers and transom? Is it a wood transom? Has the wood turned to mush? So very many items to consider when dealing with an older boat. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/12 "2023-05-07T14:19:46Z")
BOAT Bust Out Another Thousand ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/13 "2023-05-07T16:28:24Z")
What is the black stuff on the cylinder wall? I can’t tell how deep the rust is from the picture. Is it 2 stroke? Might as well sand it smooth and run it. edit: Here is someone else’s story about using sand paper on badly rusted cylinder walls. It worked out for him. [rusty cylinder walls rebuild question - Honda-Tech - Honda Forum Discussion](https://honda-tech.com/forums/all-motor-naturally-aspirated-44/rusty-cylinder-walls-rebuild-question-2924358/) ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 10:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/14 "2023-05-08T10:16:19Z")
Definition of “boat” ![IMG_1581](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/9/d9f1bbd2fc24a9de055dd7f2bd1923bf6fb10562.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 12:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/15 "2023-05-08T12:46:14Z")
While I don’t think that the above definition of “boat” came from the pen of Ambrose Bierce, it is definitely worthy of him. It reads like something from Bierce’s masterpiece of sarcasm, _The Devil’s Dictionary_. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/16 "2023-05-08T15:07:51Z")
A friend of mine said that the 2 times you will love your boat the most is when you 1st get it and when you 1st get ride of it… ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/17 "2023-05-08T19:23:49Z")
The Devil’s Dictionary is a total hoot, well worth a read. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-this-engine-be-repaired/190460/18 "2023-05-08T20:28:17Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > The Devil’s Dictionary is a total hoot, well worth a read. Definitely! I picked it up at the college bookstore in–I think–1966, along with a required supplementary text. I almost didn’t get the required reading done in time because of how absorbing that little book is.