PeterBerglund

Dear boat lovers!

I’m a new member. I have tried to search this forum as well as other sites on the net, but I have not found any really clear answers. Hopefully some member of Offshoreonly.com might support me which would be highly appreciated.

I’m currently bidding on a 322 Baja Boss from 1996 and I have two questions:

1. The boat is equipped with dual 454 Magnums, 350hp carb versions, early Gen VI blocks. They have around 600 hours on the meters. Compression results are good on all cylinders according to seller (have not got the protocol yet) and run about 70mph at WOT , but I’m still kind of worried. As far as I have been informed, 600 hours is about when things start to happen – or? I know that this figure depend on numerous of things, but generally speaking, what are your opinion about when it’s time for a rebuild considering this type of motors and size of boat?
   
   
2. As fuel is more expensive than ever here in Sweden (nearly US$ 9 per gallon – yes, it’s true…!), I would like to know a bit more regarding coming fuel bills… Figures vary tremendously on the net with this engine setup and I haven’t found any official specification from Baja or other users. So, what can I expect at cruising speed, say 3000rpm and WOT in terms of mpg or liters/nm?

Most grateful if someone can support me.

/Peter

endeavour32

Welcome to the site- I'll comment on the MPG aspect of your question. Plan on 1.1-1.3 MPG. As far as the engines are concerned it really depends on how the boat was used. I have friends with charter fishing boats that have close to 2000 hours on their engines. They do a lot of idling but in my opinion that's harder on an engine than one that spent most of its life at 3500 rpms. You may want to have new valve springs installed and a valve job at some point in the future but 600 hours isn't a ton of hours in my opinion! If the compression check is good, run it and have fun with it.

PeterBerglund

Thanks "endeavour32" for that quick reply! I assume that the figure you mention of 1.1-1.3 MPG is at cruising speed?

endeavour32

Yes that is correct. At WTO you will be burning about 60 gallons per hour.

dereknkathy

i had a 30 IMP with 1000 on the orig 330 hp motors, and prev owner who had it a long time drove it pretty hard, but he took care of it.

PeterBerglund

Thanks!
Besides the comp test, what else should I concentrate to check when it comes to this boat's setup (dual 454 Magnums, carb version, Gen VI blocks, Bravo 1)? I mean without tearing everything apart. As I have limited experience when it comes to these type of engines, I don't know the weak points. Any advice is welcome!
/Peter

500hps

peter,good luck with your 322.they are great all around performance boats.i have a 97 322 with warmed up merc h/p 500s that run great.lots of room in cabin and cockpit area,handle pretty well,great blend of performance/pleasure.hopefully you will use yours.mine has had 10 hrs in 2 years,if things dont free up (time wise) i am sellin it.enjoy your 322.tom

PeterBerglund

Thanks Tom! Please comment on the fuel consumption (or MPG) at cruising and WOT with your setup. And what speed/RPMs you get at cruising and WOT. Would be very interesting for me. Thanks in advance!
/Peter

Yoda_Man

I have a 97 322 with 502 mags I know theyre a bit different motors but still should give u an idea. I have a lowrance chartplotter with fuel flow meters on both engines. At 3000 rpm the boats doin 38mph gps using about 24gph thats with 24p bravo 1s

Wot 70mph 5000rpm 80gph the meters arent as accurate at the higher flows

PeterBerglund

Thanks Yoda! Interesting!
Even if it's not rocket science, I'm not sure if your 502 Magnum gives better or worse MPG figures at crusing speed than a 454 Magnum... Sometimes a more powerful engine gives better fuel economy at crusing speed. Can anyone comment on that for the 322? I mean your figures gives 1.56 MPG and "Endeavour32" replied in an earlier post to expect somewhere in between 1.1-1.3 for 2x454 Mag in a 322. Fuel prices in Sweden really hurts...

Yoda, do you have a carb or injected 502's BTW? What specified HP's do you have at the crank or prop?
/Peter