Restoring a 2005 262. Gave it to a Gelcoat/Interior shop last October. Got it back Jan 15th with a cracked block. They parked it outside and didn't plug in the engine heater. I need an 8.1L shortblock or longblock, or I need to repower up to 8.2L HO. Too big to go smaller. Anybody have one? Know where I can get one? Opinions on repowering to 8.2?
Well that sucks.... I know a lot of boaters use Michigan Motorz. http://www.michiganmotorz.com/marine-engines-c-31.html I've only heard good things. Shawn
Thanks for the reply. Contacted them, and most of the other well known engine shops. Prices on the 8.1 are outrageously high, as GM has stopped making the block. Same block is used in trucks and other vehicles. Found one on-line yesterday from an old truck. Have to have it die checked for damage or cracks, then remanufactured. I'll see where it goes...
Remember when you rebuild it, it will need to be done to marine specs and not auto....like brass freeze/soft plugs and not steel.
Although the Marina calls the shop its "sub", they are not taking ownership of the damage (they also banged into a couple of things with the trailer while moving it). It would cost me more to sue them than to just fix the engine and trailer damage. Anyway, thanks for all the responses. The boat has new interior and restored gelcoat. It deserves a zero hour, remanufactured engine and will get one. I'll be selling it and starting over.
Is it a Merc or Volvo? If I had a 262 that needed an engine, I would be very tempted to find a blue Merc 525.... a few were built that way, and they run their butt off!
