## of Hours on Crusader big blocks...

cuppa · Post by **cuppa** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:52 pm

? for all the owners who have Crusader Motors Currently installed. I am looking for a sampling from Current owners to see what the average number of hours is that you can get out of one of these motors.

Looking at a 1985 F36 and there are 1000 hours on it. How many hours can I expect to get out of these motors?

Any advice is appreciated.. Looking for individuals that currently have them and can say I have X hours, along with with any one who has estimates...

Thanks

Brian

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:09 am

I have owned may boats , and have worked many more . I have seen engines shot in a few hundred hours and others running great after thousands of hours . I have replace/overhauld many failed engines . I have seen stuck rings ,valves , bearings failed locked up engine etc.
But one thing I have never seen is a engine fail in a pleasure boat from having to many hours you just don't wear out pleasure engine . I would worry more about low hours then high hours . how its taken care of and ran is the most impotant . I had one custmer who replace his engine every 3 years (1500-1800 hours ) just becuse. all his old engines were sold and put in others boats and ran for many more years . I know of none that have failed.( I use to work at a marina )

bottom line worry more about the condtion/care of the engine then the hours. the 5.7 is a good base engine and Crusader is a good company .
Yes have seen engine wear out in work /charter boats but not at a 1000 hours .
sorry about the long winded answer

Is this boat a tri cabin or a conv? The reson I asked is the conv came with big blocks . the tri cabins had both but most were small blocks .
what is the H.P. of the engines ?

cuppa · Post by **cuppa** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:27 am

This is a big block.. am in incorrect stating it is a 5.7 it is a Convertible..

Thanks Brian

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:53 am

A big block would most likely a 7.4 or a 8.1 . just becuse they came with a big block that dosent mean they were replace with big blocks .
someone could have repowered with small blocks . do you have any photos of the Engines ?

willietrojan · Post by **willietrojan** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:52 am

Prowlersfish,

What do you think of the Mercruiser 233hp (351)? Would I benefit by upgrading to electronic ignition? I have about 1100 hrs on mine.

Thanks

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:36 am

It won't hurt anything and would get rid of the points . The people that have changed over That I have talked to were happy they did it . the guy I sold my f30 ( with 351) to did it and said it made the boat run much better . but he then never used it . LOL . I would do it but hold ont the old parts as a get home just in case .Not that I have seen any proplems the only one I had to fix was due to striped screws on the plate causeing a lose ground. this was a install issue that would have cause it not to run with points also .

cuppa · Post by **cuppa** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:34 pm

Would it be a positive or negative if it was repowered with twin 5.7"s which is a better motor?

Thanks
Brian

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:29 pm

Brian , I would say a negative as the boat maybe under powered. even if it was not under powered most people would think of it that way .
can you tell me the H.P. of the engine ? the 5.7 in the higher HP ratings may have the power needed . I saw a carver 38ft I think that when from big blocks to small block EFI.(5.7) and got faster to my suprize . I would do a sea trial and see how it runs . use a gps to check the speed. ride on a big block F36 to compair . or get some one own has one go with you . on the pluse side the way gas prices are going it may be easier to sell a small block people could think it be better on fuel ( it won't be )( unless EFI )