www.iFourWinns.com

I am having a 1995 258 vista dropped off tomorrow. The boat is shrink wrapped so when i looked at it i was not able to get into the engine compartment. the previous owner was not to much of the mechanic type so he was not able to give me much info for what was under the hatch, however it does have a volvo single prop outdrive. The interior cabin, and cockpit are in OUTSTANDING shape. I was extremely surprised when i saw it. Previous owner said this was the second summer in a row he would have needed to dump another good sum of money into it, and he doesnt use it much so he just wanted to get rid of it. Only info he could give me was that there was water in the oil, and the heads needed to be redone. I was curious if anyone had any ideas what could be causing that issue, also what motor options were there in 95. I found out that it could be a king cobra, or a volvo 5.7, was there any others? And any pointers or tips with these boats would be greatly appreciated. I had a 93 23se welcraft excel before this, got rid of that about two years ago.

Thanks for the Help. Greatly appreciated.
Mark

water in the oil? Not winterized, block/heads cracked, or overheated, head gasket failed/head cracked, or, exhaust manifold/riser gasket failed, water in cylinder.
It could be anything from needing a new exhaust (not a major repair) to a head gasket/head inspection, to a new engine of the block cracked.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

well i know it was winterized in the fall. However that was really it. cracked block obviously would require new bottom end, would the motor still run with cracked block? Cause he said it ran when he took it out, but it was also running hot. Bought this with the price of repowering it in mind, so not worried if that is the case. Thanks for the reply

If it ran hot than maybe the head gasket is gone.

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

well i get it tomorrow, so hopefully i can get a picture or two. and mybe update my situation. Thanks again!

Yes post pix, esp of the oil (take off the oil fill cap, look in the valve cover for a whitish sludge) and look on the sides of the engine block on each side, in front of the dipstick on the port side and in front of the starter on the starboard side, that's where you would see freeze cracks. It would look like a thin line with rust in the center of it. An engine with a cracked block can run OK till a load is put on it and then sometimes the water getting into the oil will cause an oily mess to come out of the crankcase breather hoses (that go from the valve covers to the flame arrestor). A blown head gasket is diagnosed by doing a hot compression test, with low readings on adjacent cylinders.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

well the boat is currently shrink wrapped, and we just got it to the house, had a marina tow it over. They have 2x4 supporting the wrap over the engine hatch. My buddy was able to pop the lid slightly and between him and his dad were able to tell with a flashlight it is the cobra omc motor. Cant really get in there to get some good looks until we tear the shrink off which probably wont be till mid march at the earliest. However i am curious that if we have to go repower what would you normally replace the 5.8cobra with? The outdrive is the single prop volvo penta. How much would that normally cost? (5-6 grand for new motor?) Thanks again. going to see it this weekend, hopefully i will walk away with some pictures, probably nothing good since it will still be all wrapped up. Thanks again for the help!

Mark

Well if you do have to replace the motor, you might want to try to get a re-man Ford 5.8 because you can re-use your accessories (carb, alt, starter, exhaust if still OK). Ford engines are not used presently in marine applications but they were used by both OMC and Volvo. If you wanted to convert to a Chevy, you could, but then you need all new accessories like the alt, starter, exhaust, etc and it adds up. Also the front engine mounts may be in a slightly different spot for the Ford vs the Chevy and that would require 'glass work. Its almost always cheaper and easier re-powering with the same engine you had, unless certain important parts are no longer available. This is sometimes true esp of OMC engines, those with the Splitfire ignitions, and the EFI systems used on the Fords, may have parts that are hard or impossible to find. If that's what you got, then a conversion to a Chevy with a simple marine carb and Delco EST ignition would be the cheapest and best long term move. Its going to take a bit of research to make everything work (engine accessories and exhaust system) but will be worth it in the end.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Personaly, if I could, I would run up the engine now to see where I stood in this. Its going to take time to order & install the needed parts. Your not saying where you live, but if you can, I would. If you wait until the spring, the boat yards & dealers get very busy. You don't want to hear in May that your boat will be ready in July and loose 2 or 3 months of boating. AND you may want to do your own upgrades to it. As in new radio, amps, GPS, VHF .........

Good luck with it!

If at all possible you may want to drain the oil as not to rust the crank, connecting rods etc. If it is a cracked block find a block out of a truck and reuse everything you have. Shouldn't be difficult if you find the right engine shop. Just use the torque values from OMC and you will be just fine. Hopefully it is a head gasket that will be easy. Sounds like it could be if it overheated just hope the shut it down before it warped the heads. Good luck

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'96 200 Horizon 5.8l VP/SX

I am in nj, so It's is still pretty cold up here. Was thinking maybe l the end of February the earliest. I am just to busy the next few weeks to even get down there. I was just wondering since we got the boat for next to nothing, if putting a new motor in would be a easy way out. However I am getting the vibe it's not that cut and dry to just get a new crate Volvo and just swap it out.

You could get a Volvo Crate engine (complete bobtail) for about $12k...
http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/engines.shtml

look at the 5.7Gi, 280hp
or for $4k more you could get complete Engine & Drive package together. ($5k for douprop)

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

I agree with rpenger....get a new crate motor...you'll never regret it! Can't beat new after all.....if you got the boat for next to nothing then this makes the most sense. People will say; " go get a truck motor or car eng. and put your marine intake, carb, starter and so on onto the block, by in my opinion, unless your a real "gear-head" it's probably not worth the time and effort. Plus, a truck engine really isn't the same as a marine motor.......there are just too many differences....cam, cooling passages, carb, bearings, block freeze plugs, etc. That's just way too much stuff to change when doing a car eng. swap as far as I'm concerned. My .02......I know I'll probably catch some hell from some people on this forum.......

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"For My 50th"
1996 238 Vista
5.7VolvoGL DP
Previous boats; 91 Cobia 19' Cuddy, 87 Starcraft 16' BR,
67 Winner BR, 65 Arrow 14'

If you go with the crate motor option you better make sure the bell housing will bolt to the new engine. And when I was referring to the truck block I should have been more specific. Use the engine block only. Reuse the cam, crank, pistons if still in good shape, connecting rods, timing chain if not stretched, oil pan, heads, ignition system, carb, etc from the original engine. The cooling passages as far as i know would not be any different between a marine or automotive engine. Get a marine gasket kit, brass freeze plugs and a good set of bearings. But in the end it is your decision just make sure you research if it will bolt up to your drive. After all it's a ford not a chevy which is universal through almost all makes and models. I swapped out my 5.0 with a 5.8 and there was a huge difference between the two and yes I used an engine out of a truck including the block and crank, connecting rods, new 10-1 pistons a mild cam etc. Not a problem in year and a half.

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'96 200 Horizon 5.8l VP/SX

What are the thoughts on Michigan motorz engines. They have a turn key remanufactured motors with all new components for around 8000. Anyone on here have any good or bad experiences with them?
Thanks again