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Frequently Asked Questions


That means that the listed price is the effective price when the customer returns his old engine/core to SBT (for exchange).

If SBT has inventory on the selected engine, and you are residing within the US, no. You will return the core within 2 weeks of the sale in the box the new engine was received in. From time to time we may not have all components necessary to complete an engine. We would then require the core exchange first.

The core is your old engine.

The core must be shipped back to SBT within two weeks of receiving the new engine. A late fee of $100 per week applies to cores that are not returned in a timely manner.

No, that is one of the summary selling points of our program. All that is required is a major credit card as security. We do not charge the card for the core unless the core is late.

You can send your core in to SBT up front.

No. Our program is designed to exchange "apples for apples". If we made it inexpensive to upgrade, we would only have the smaller engines that are less popular (and nobody wants) in inventory.

If you do not have a core, we recommend that you explore other alternatives to SBT. Other companies, such as OEM dealers and salvage yards, can offer more economical solutions.

A core is good if it does not have any broken aluminum. Broken aluminum is typically the result of a rod being "thrown". By turning the engine upside down, you most often be able to detect if a rod has penetrated or cracked the case. The condition of the sleeves, pistons, rings, rods, bearings and oil seals does not matter.

The engines basically include case, crank, cylinders, head and head cover. Polaris 700 and 1050s include the red head covers. The 785 and 951 Sea-Doo engines also include the RAVE valve guillotine and body (not the black plastic cap and clip). The Yamaha's include the engine saddles.

The engines undergo a four-point test program. Case and waterside pressure retention is tested by installing block-off plates on the engines and measuring leak down rates. Compression and squish is verified to be within the OEM guidelines by turning the engine over at starter speed.

Yes, they are painted to the most recent color scheme used by the OEM for that engine.

Each SBT engine contains new pistons, rings, rods, bearings, seals and gaskets. The pistons are SBT's own line of high silicon, hardened, cast aluminum and are made to the OEM specifications.

The welding charges for broken aluminum can be seen here:
weldingcharge.pdf

The price list for missing parts on the core can be seen here: charges.pdf

Use the "estimate shipping" button in the shopping cart.
For 2023 FedEx Shipping rates see:

One to three days FedEx, depending on the distance from Clearwater, FL.

Call us and ask for the warranty department at 1-877-330-0231. Do not disassemble the engine or return it to SBT without a claim number. Please read the instructions in your owner's manual.

Remove the intake cover such that the part bolting to the case in singular and about one inch thick. It says made is Austria on the inside surface, and we need the number under that text.

Oil-Block off kits are recommended for use by SBT on skis more than 7 years old with normal use, to insure your engine always receives the proper lubrication. Common failures on engines include lack-of-lubrication seizures due to failed oil pumps, breaks in lines, leaks, etc. Running a pre-mix oil/gasoline mixture solves this problem.

Yes on 650 and 750s. Those fuel systems are designed poorly, where the carb furthest from the fuel pump (#1) gets the least amount of fuel. By installing a second fuel pump that goes to the (#1) carb you eliminate that problem.

We use Permatex Hi-tach on all paper gaskets. We use Permatex Copper Gasket on all metal, head and exhaust gaskets. We use Permatex The Right Stuff between the cases.

No, o-rings and gaskets are stress-once components, and you risk part failure by re-using any of them.

Yes, there are no issues with doing so.

The manufacturer's recommended oil is the best, consult your original users manual.

Refer to install guide for your specific engine.

For Sea-Doos, we rent and sell the alignment tool. The purchase price is starting at $299.95, depending on which tool is selected. If returned within 30 days, you will be refunded $75.00. For all other manufacturers, download an installation guide from our Technical section, here. At the end in the installation instructions, is step-by-step instructions for shimming the engine.

Take the battery out of the ski. If you have filler caps, remove them. Use of an automatic charger with a 2A cycle is recommended, otherwise use a trickle charger, following the guidelines in its instruction manual - you will need to monitor the specific gravity of the battery during charge if you do so manually.

Yes, but any internal engine mods will void the warranty.

Sea-Doo 951 had a poorly designed flame arrester that sucked in water. Sea-Doo fixed it by putting deflectors on the flame arrester. The 951 also had a problem with the joint between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust pipe. If it did leak it would onto the carbs. Sea-Doo tried to cure this by putting a boot around the joint. 2001 models have an o-ringed joint.

No, we only run our own production line work.

No, we do not do individual parts work.

Many private insurance agencies offer PWC insurance. Check your local yellow pages. Major national sources include SkiSafe, BoatUS and Progressive.