2006 1503 SC in a 2005 that has a 1503 SC engine.

[ODavis]

I have a 2005 180 Challenger that has a 1503 SC 215 HP engine in it. Long story short, the orig SC blew the washers and I pulled the engine and flushed out and replaced the oil pumps. In the process I cracked the water pump ceramic seal and now leaks antifreeze and have to pull the engine again to fix.

Now I am thinking I should just rebuild the engine over the winter or just replace it with an SBT rebuild. The problem with SBT is they only have 2006 long blocks. My question is can I put the 2005 externals on a 2006 long block? My research has been mixed results on that answer so I am asking here.

Would it be better to just rebuild myself? I have rebuilt many engines, just not one of these, don't know the ins and outs of this engine.

 

[etemplet]

I've personally worked on (2) very low time SBT 2-stroke engines. I would rebuild it myself but... if nothing is wrong with the engine why rebuild it? I'm a condition based maintenance type.... gotta be a reason for me to proceed. The more work you do to anything the more opportunity for a maintenance based failure. Lotta parts on those 4-strokes. Good Luck whatever you decide.

 

[ODavis]

@etemplet Thank you for the reply. I am apprehensive about the state of the engine. While I recovered more then one washers's worth of ceramic and replaced both oil pumps, I'm still nervous about engine failure. I'm not sure about the bearings. I need to pull the engine again to fix the water pump, and going to inspect the bearings. Which I should have done the first go around.

Anyway does anyone know if an 06 long block will match up to 05 hardware?

 

[etemplet]

I would be cautions on spending money on parts you don't need but the 4-strokes are definitely a different engine to rebuild compared to 2-strokes. From the one I saw it was more like an automobile type engine with connecting rod bearing caps which would mean you don't have to buy a new crankshaft. I would think many of the parts would be clean, inspect, and replace. I just don't like wasting money. A good engine is a good engine. We don't need new especially the number of hours put on these skis per year. Some are hardly ridden at all. I have a 2009 that has 190 hours on it. Good Luck !!

 

[ODavis]

@etemplet Thank you for the reply. Yeah, have rebuilt many v8's and two or three diesel engines. Not too worried about this one, except for any specialty tools and why SBT is enticing. But too your point, this engine EMC only has ~100hrs logged on it. Right when the ceramic washers tend to go. So yeah, I'm going to inspect the bearings when I pull the engine this fall then make a decision. Thanks.

Still would like to know about the compatibility between an 06 long block and an 05 one. As that would be the decision maker anyway if they are not compatible.

 

[etemplet]

I just bought and sold my 1st and last 4-stroke so I surely can't help with the engine thing. LOL

 

[ski-d00]

You can't just switch the 05 to 06 longblocks but there are workarounds. The 06 went to the cps at the 7 o'clock position instead of the 12 o'clock position. You can drill a hole in the mag encoder wheel and move it 2 bolt holes. I did a complete write up on this many years ago which details the good and the bad but it works and continue to do it.

You don't need to pull the engine to change the water pump. Space is a little tight on the 180 but very doable.

 

[ODavis]

You can't just switch the 05 to 06 longblocks but there are workarounds. The 06 went to the cps at the 7 o'clock position instead of the 12 o'clock position. You can drill a hole in the mag encoder wheel and move it 2 bolt holes. I did a complete write up on this many years ago which details the good and the bad but it works and continue to do it.

You don't need to pull the engine to change the water pump. Space is a little tight on the 180 but very doable.

Any chance of a link to your write up?

You still need to pull the pump and disconnect the shaft, toughest part. After that pulling the engine is a piece of cake and makes it much easier to work on. I'm not as flexible as I used to be, plus my main concern is making sure the grit is all out of the engine after the SC washers denigrated.

My concern for replacing the longblock is two fold, first the fore mentioned SC washers not being fully caught the first time around and the second is replacing the hollow valves. Still weighing the value of either rebuilding or replacing the long block.

Thanks for your reply.