Rebuilding engines versus new.

[Chaban]

About 6 years ago I bought a 1977 Trojan F28 that had spent it's life on Lake Michigan. the original owner and treated the boat very well but he had sold it to somebody who is not a boater. he did not reregister it nor did he take care of it. By the time I got to it there was a mess of paperwork to clear up and I had to find the boat on top of it. when I finally got the boat in the water the boat ran okay, but after a few minutes the port engine quit. I was in the middle of refurbishing the inside and didn't have time at the moment for the engines. I soon ran out of money and the boat has been sitting in dry dock for 5 years. I figure at this point the engines either need to be refurbished or replaced. I have no idea what either will cost. I am NOT a great hand with mechanics, although I am good at the basic stuff if I know what is wrong with the engine. These are basic Chrysler 314 in an EF 28, so I ask again is it better to just replace the engines since I don't know how many hours they have on them and they are almost 40 years old or is it better refurbish them. Also one of the other issues is the deck under the flying bridge is rotten and needs to be replaced. If these two issues were fixed along with some other minor issues, the boat would be back to pretty good condition. Is it worth the investment or not? Any help that you guys could give me I would be extremely grateful for. Also, if I chose to put the boat up for sale as is with the inside completely redone but with questionable power issues and the deck of the flying bridge the way it is, what would be a fair price for the boat?
Thank you from an extremely grateful Trojan owner.
My name is Dean and any help that can be provided would be appreciated.

[Chaban]

Did I put this in the wrong forum?

[Moderator]

I have moved your post to the correct forum . As far as your engine questions , that would depend on the condition of them . There are many 40 year old engines that are fine . Before making deciding what is best I would determine there condition . Can you get them running with fresh gas ? Could they be locked up ? Were they stored properly ? ( winterized ? ) . You could have anything from some easy fuel issues to bad blocks . If it needs engines the value of the boat would not be much at all .

BTW they most likely are 318 not 314 if Chrysler engines

[Chaban]

Thank you for both moving the column and for your comments. Hard for me to tell the condition since it's hard for me to get down there physically. How much actually is it to replace an engine or 2? Nobody can seem to give me a straight answer. And how much is it to refurbish one?

Thank you again for your kindness.

[prowlersfish]

The cost to replace would vary on what your putting in , new used complete , long block ect . on rebuilding it would depend on what it needs .

On the blocking of the boat unless it was done poorly no worries