1998 330 Exhaust Modification Question

[ASDF]

So I'm looking at a 98 330 sundancer and am trying to figure out if it's had the exhaust modification to avoid the water ingestion. I attached three pictures of the engine (and generator, looks in rough shape?) and was hoping someone could help me definitively determine if the mod has been done (and your opinion on the shape of the generator from the pictures.. it's in FL but has been on the lower St Johns river so worst case brackish). The broker wasn't sure. Thanks a lot. Here is a link to a pic of the old exhaust (not sure what boat this is from) as well as a link to a pic of the modified exhaust.
old - http://www.gsbps.org/images/310 engines-old.jpg
new - http://www.gsbps.org/images/310 engines.jpg

 

[ASDF]

A couple other pics... trying to get an idea from those knowledgable if you can guess on the level of upkeep, corrosion, etc you see.

 

[ASDF]

sorry, one more pic. The first post had duplicates of the same engine.

 

[Strecker25]

That boat still has the OEM "log" style exhaust. While water lift mufflers are definitely preferable, someone else will have to chime in on whether these specific 7.4's had the ingestion problems. I believe those are the 310HP models? The higher output engines were much more susceptible to the issue because they run a hotter cam and can have valve overlap.

My offer would be contingent on a compression/leakdown test and I would likely factor in the cost of the exhaust refit as part of the my offer number.

 

[CliffA]

from my research 'ALL' of the various engine in cruiser boats with V drives of this era had problems with water inversion regardless if they were big block or small block....it was not an engine problem (except for the high performance engines)....it was an exhaust configuration problem....the hi performance big block 7.4 engines had the most trouble due to not only the low exhaust angle but also an overlap in the valve timing which produced a small suction in the exhaust....I personally looked at two boats with small block engines of this era and both had ruined engines from water inversion....

I understand the conversion to water lift mufflers is very expensive...

cliff

 

[BillK2632]

Yep, has the old style exhaust - question is if any engine problems have been repaired as a result. If not and the engines are fine, then it has run 19yrs with no problems, might not ever see a problem. Generator and bilge in general looks dirty / moldy, hard to say from pictures if there is a real problem or just dirt. The other thing I noticed is the holding tank has a crush/crimp in it. Probably from pumping with a clogged vent - eventually it is likely to start leaking.

 

[CliffA]

I would also insist that the engine survey include a visual inspection of the cylinder walls and piston tops and valves by using a flexible inspection camera in the spark plug holes to look for any signs of rust.....

cliff

 

[ASDF]

That's what I was thinking regarding the fact if it's original (which sounds like it definitely it) and they haven't had issues ( I did confirm they were original motors) then they may not have any issues. Yes, Stecker, these are the 310 hp. Bill and Cliff thanks a bunch for that input. I'll look closer at the holding tank and will definitely do an engine survey to include the visual inspection.

 

[Strecker25]

I understand the conversion to water lift mufflers is very expensive...
cliff

any clue how expensive? I never really thought about it as we haven't seriously considered a boat without them yet. You'd need muffler, all the exhaust hoses, and probably have to relocate batteries or other accessories in many of these boats. I wonder if the riser/elbow needs to be change as well

 

[CliffA]

I think I remember reading somewhere that the water lift mufflers cost several hundred dollars each....then you have the cost of the hoses and the labor to install the mufflers and move the batteries around and the cost of new battery cables.......I could see where this job may be in the neighborhood of $5K pretty easily....

cliff

 

[marks737]

Not sure about the 7.4 engines. But on the 350 MAGs the fix was to add a 4in. spacer between the manifold and riser to increase the exhaust angle. As best as I can tell from the pics, it looks like the spacers are there. Like I said, I don't know much about the 7.4s.