hours on engine

Curious... how many hours should we expect to get out of 351 PCm motors before rebuilding? a$$uming it has been pretty well maintained. I have a friend that is looking at a 98 SN with about 800 hours. Both my boats have around 400-500 hours, so I have never really dealt with higher hour boats. All thoughts and comments welcome!!

ernest

A friend of mine has a well maintained '82 SN 2001 that he has owned since almost new. It has 1700+ hrs on the original engine and still runs like a champ.

I read in a recent Water Ski magazine that marine engine hours can be somewhat compared to auto milage by adding 2 zeros to the hour meter. My 88 has 1315 hrs which would mean that it's mileage would be 131,500. By the way the 88 runs great and maintains good oil pressure with over 1300 hrs.

Earnest, the number of hours is a tuff to estimate. My boat usage for example has many hours trolling at either an idle or just slightly above while most of you ski guys are typically running their boats at 3 grand or more most of the time, then there is fresh water or salt water that can pay a role as well. Don’t forget the toll of time – age in years, often boats that are run more frequently will last longer in hours than boats that sit. A close friend purchased a damaged 25’ Slamrock that had been used as a TowBoatUS. He fixed the damage and at over 2,800 hours the PCM 351 engine is still strong. It is encouraging to hear about the many hours that some people get out of the “tried and true” 351. Have a great weekend, Jerry

Hours on the engine do not mean much, its just a number.

I am more concerned about corrosion than hours. If the boat was ran 50+ hours per summer and properly winterized every year you will have less problems than a boat with 200 hours on it and being 20 years old......

Tim