Rebuild Cost

I have a 1953 Atom which I am tring to bring back to life but I am having problems with the engine. I think the best thing may be to just rebuild right now. When I put jumper cables directly to the block and starter the engine turns over but very rough. I put some mystery oil in there but am thinking that I should maybe just have the engine rebuilt. I am trouble shoot small stuff but rebuilding the engine may be beyond my abilities right now...but who knows I may have to learn depending on the cost. How much should I be prepared to spend to rebuild the engine. I'm not looking for anything special or to get more HP out of the boat considering that it is overpowered as is....but I just want to be prepared to understand how much I should be spending and also so that I don't get screwed. Can I bring to any mechanic to rebuild or should I bring to someone who specializes in marine engines? I am thinking at this time in the year that it will be a winter project that I can drop off and leave for a few months and have a chance to work on the hull and repair some problems I have there along with a new coat of paint.

Thanks for any help y'all can provide.

Greg

My Lil Boat

What motor is yours? If you can read and follow directions, you can rebuild an engine, a$$uming you can find a good rebuild book. Of course it helps to have mechanically-minded friends to turn to when you hit the tricky parts, like installing a rope rear main seal, or diagnosing a brand-new (but faulty) starter problem. Been there.

I spent $383 at my machine shop doing all the machining on my Chrysler 318. Included honing cylinders & re-working the heads for larger intake valves. No boring.

You have a 6-volt system? Weren't they marginal for V8's at best?

Incidentally, if you have a marine Chrysler of that vintage, I'm sure you're in way over your head. Disregard the above advice, pack it all up, and send it my way.

Thomas

well...I have a ford 302 not sure of the year or the HP...

I put some mystery oil into each cylindar and also pulled out the starter and it seems to work fine but when i turn the key the engine only turns about a quarter of a turn...i was told to replace the solenoid which I did but now there is another electrical problem and nothing will work when I turn the key...I do not have a working starting battery so I am trying to jump from my car right now...not sure if that could be the cause of some of my problems or not. I also bought a new cap and rotor and points but that hasn't done me any good considering that the engine won't turn over...so I was thinking i needed to rebuild but maybe i just need to let some more mystery oil do it's work...i am not great with electrical or engines that is not my forte so i was either hoping to trade the engine i have now for a rebuilt engine that is working or to take my chances if i could rebuild this engine for cheap enough but if the cost gets up there i would rather just have someone else do it for me....if anyone knows of any place in the Portland, Maine area who either rebuilds engines or has inboards for sale please let me know...i am not really sure where to look or who to ask
thanks for the help
greg

That looks like the engine I have in my 72 . My engine is a conquerer crusader 302 with 220 hp.
if yours has a 4 barrel that is probably what it is . If it is 2 barrel Ithink they are 200 hp.

Pat