1968 Pacemaker 31'

[chelsy]

I have just bought a 1968 Pacemaker 31' and it looks to be in great shape.The previous owners spent over 30'000 in resterations,but was left sitting for 3 years.I need to have the waterline resealed and painted,as well as the sides.They want to charge me 4'000 (canadian) does this sound about right? Also does anyone know how much it would cost to rebuild or replace twin 327 chevy engins?Would a 350 chevy engin go in as well?
Thanks...just learning. :confused: http://

[wolfietuk]

As for the cost of painting if the exchange is what I think it is it doesnt sound ridiculous. You could always get another price. The chevy 327 is a great engine. but the 350 is much more common so parts are readily available. I do not know if if it is worth the cost of swapping out. Any mechanic can give you a price to rebuild. Choose on with a good rep.

Rick

[brad9798]

That's right in the ballpark for painting (taking the exchange rate into consideration). In fact, I'll bet it is with just AVERAGE paint too. Double-check that.

Regarding the 327 to 350 swith ... why? Sure, there are more 350s out there NOW ... but 327 "stuff" is very readily available through any marine mechanic.

What you need to think of (and, I am ASSUMING your 327s are shot??) is the cost factor. Weight difference is not a big deal the way your boat is set-up.

It may be cheaper to buy to used 327s or 350s, pull the old ones and drop the new ones in.

I've seen good 327s and good 350s in the $2,000 range EACH engine. That would probably be cheaper than a total rebuild.

The LAST thing I'd ever want to do in my boat is replace an engine, or two.

The horsepower different in that vintage was 210 for the 327 and 235 for the 350. A basic new 350 will get you 260hp.

Just some thoughts.

[Figment]

Bear in mind that a good bit of your engine replacement/rebuild budget will be absorbed by your interiors work. (my memory of the 31 Pace is that the engines come out through the saloon, not the cockpit). how much of the interior will need to be taken apart to gain proper access and rig a hoist?? will a portion of the rear bulkhead need to "make way"? speaking from one occasion of experience and a few of observation; breaking the engine down to the short block in order to get it out the door is so time consuming and messy that one will generally wish that the effort had instead gone toward proper access.

anyway, my point is to budget beyond mechanic's fees and parts.

how bad are the 327's? might you want to run the boat for a season to find out just what shape they're in?