Marinette Boat Forum

Pulling my Chryslers out after labor day in preparation for a couple crusaders. They will be listed on Ebay if anyone is interested. I do like Chryslers, so please don't tell me how great they are and that I should just have them rebuilt. Instead buy them

How much? What condition what hours?

You doing whole system?

What Crusaders are you putting in?

Steve, Share with us what has to change to switch from Chrysler to Crusaders.
Thanks, Wayne

I just threw a bunch of money at the boat, and a lot of work. Still it was cheaper than fixing the 318's. I bought new 350 Crusaders with new 1:1 Borg Warner Velvet Drives and new instruments and wiring harnesses. Used the new front engine mounts and the old rear engine mounts. Used the old props for a year, until one got damaged, then got new props for the extra HP. I was able to go to closed cooling by changing the engines.

Busia.
OK,I will ask the question what everyone else wants to know but too polite to ask. What would all that cost a man.
You don't have to answer especially if the Admiral reads the forum. We all understand.
Wayne

As they say, "your mileage will vary" so will your costs. Biggest variable is how much work you can do yourself. To buy new engines and transmissions I paid about $20,000. And that was the cheapest way to go. To find the parts and build two 318's with closed cooling would have been even more. The new transmissions, with a warrantee were $1,000 each. I could not rebuild the old ones for that price, so I have them for spares. $20,000 sounds like a lot, but go price a new pick up. You can replace your 318's much cheaper with rebuilt short blocks if that is all you need, but if you need manifolds, water pumps, closed cooling, and more, then you will find you can't get the parts or they are very expensive. That is where some members are. They need parts and can't get them.

whew..how things have gotten more spendy over the years. Circa 1998 I replaced both blown out engines (long story) with Jasper rebuilts. I'm not that techy but I think they were short blocks because the mechanic re-used the cooling system, manifolds etc.

Engines were about $1,900 each (the counter rotating one was pricier by a bit). Yard labor at about $75/hr per hand at that year brought the total up to around $10K. If I had a brain and strong hands, I could have done it meself and saved probably $5k because the yard would have been used to hoist, etc.

But this is 2017

Did mine this year, brand new struts and cutlass bearings, rebuilt transmissions, rebuilt engines, all new starters, alternators, water pumps, fuel pumps, carbs, belts-hoses, everything, old engines out, new in, just shy of $15,000. Still working out a few gremlins but a labor of love, I think.

I am replacing with a couple rebuilt crusaders I picked up. They are actually chevy 307's .030 over. I have rebuilt my share of motors over the years, so did it myself. I also prefer closed cooling as you can run the engines closer to the temp I think they run best (warmer), and it is easier to winterize. Will see how it goes. Chryslers are on ebay - no idea on hours. I have had the boat for 2 years.

Can you give us a link?