2001 Challenger Twin engine worth a new engine

[bigwilliejoe]

Hey guys,

Bought the boat in fair shape. Needs reupholstery, $350, Deck has glaze cracks, $?, Probably needs impellers update, $?, now it needs a top end on one of the 717s, $900, or rebuilt engine, $1800, (so I am quoted). So, my question is, "Is the boat worth the $$ to fix?" I have about $2000 in it and now live in Cali so the only place to fly this UFO is on the river 4.5 hrs away. So I am questioning my motivation. Right now cost.

What do you think? What would the value of a fair cond Challenger be? How about one that needs this work?

I appreciate all the inputs.

B

 

[Coastiejoe]

Wait for a few others to jump in, but you can doa top end MUCH cheaper. Hundreds of members have done it themselves.

 

[bigwilliejoe]

Ya, I thought about it. I'm an auto guy and for $250 I can get the heads cut and pistons matched with gaskets from Fullbore.com
The mechanic mentioned that I might have crank end seals that might be sucking air? Water leak, lean mix, something made the piston top pop a hole?

 

[bigwilliejoe]

Do I have to take the engine out of the boat?

 

[Waterluvr]

Do I have to take the engine out of the boat?

You would want to pull that particular engine and inspect the crank, bearings etc. with that hole in the piston odds are good you will have compromised a bearing(s) in the lower end.

Good idea to pressure test the rotary valve cavity and crank cases before taking it all the way down so you know if the inner and outer crank seals are still holding in the event you find everything else good to go and decide to reuse the crank.