mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

[Cptkid570]

I have a 1989 3.0 liter mercruiser w/ alpha 1 outdrive (outdrive is a 1987). Both are currently in my 1987 boat.

I'm looking at buying a project 1998 boat that also has a 3.0 liter mercruiser that is blown (and needs an outdrive). Would my 1989 mercruiser 3.0 w/ 1987 alpha 1 outdrive bolt right in? Only thing that would be different would be the transom assembly. I could change that too if I needed to, but would prefer not to.

Only thing I can think of is that the transom assembly may be built where the outdrive has an external oil fill resovoir and I don't know how that works.

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

Only thing I can think of is that the transom assembly may be built where the outdrive has an external oil fill resovoir and I don't know how that works.

Ayuh,...

The 98 is an Alpha 1, Gen.II...

Your Alpha 1, will Not bolt onto it....

It's All,... Or Nothing....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

Your talking about the inside transom assembly that you don't want to change out?

Easy if you have the motor out. I think it all switch's out.

I just pulled everything out of a 85' still got it all the alpha one stuff.

Was actually easy when the motor is not there. Was a 140 also.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

The hole is the same i think you will have to take the inner transom assembly also.

All of it if i'm not being clear i'm typing as i'm getting my hunting cloths on, son is due off the bus now.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

Will my 1987 transom assembly bolt right up to where the 1998 transom assembly is? Or will there need to be modifications to the transom?

Also, what is the difference between the Alpha 1 gen I versus the Alpha 1 gen II? Why wouldn't a gen I drive bolt up to a gen II?

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

Will my 1987 transom assembly bolt right up to where the 1998 transom assembly is?

Ayuh....

what is the difference between the Alpha 1 gen I versus the Alpha 1 gen II? Why wouldn't a gen I drive bolt up to a gen II?

The main thing is the Shift Linkages...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

The 1 is narrower that the 2 if i remember right, what the difference you have it all on the old boat.

Yank off everything on the new hull, check the engine compartment good and the stringers, that they are good, and the engine mounting spots that they good and didn't drop.

You will need a alignment bar no getting around that for sure.

Just take everything back from the inner transome plate and install it on the new hull.

Hole is the same.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

Thanks guys and thank you for your quick responses. I appreciate it.

I may be looking at the boat tonight. I just think it would be an inexpensive way to upgrade my 1987, great running, boat to a 1998 boat. They are about the same size.. 18'

I'm not positive that the 1998 boat has a 3.0 liter like mine.. It could possibly have a 4.3 (I hope not). If it has a 4.3, then wouldn't there have to be modifications to the engine compartment to put my 3.0 liter in there (the stringers would be in the way)?

Not that I'd want to downgrade the power plant. If I do this, I just want to take on the least amount of work as possible, so if it has a 4.3, I probably won't get it.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

I might be wrong to post this, but great running boat you already have, and you like it ?

Me i always look whats on the water and see this and that, and lust for it. Why invite problems and cause yourself all kinds of work and heartache.

Keep what you got, enjoy it. The other guy is always looking also, and lusting after a bigger boat.

Tell you what the guy with a 100 foot boat, sees a 200 foot boat, and lusts for that it never stops.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

I hear that. Boat envy can be bad.

I like my boat. Doesn't look good but runs good. I'm the one that put the newer motor in it, so to swap it into another boat wouldn't be all that hard. Didn't want to have to change transom assemblys, but mine is garage kept, so the bolts should come undone no problems. We'll see. I don't want to take on that much of a project.. but, I can get the 1998 pretty cheap.. so, it could be an inexpensive way to upgrade to a newer boat.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

Hope you don't find this out, but free and cheap, is rarely free and cheap, in the long run.

Good luck !

 

[Fishermark]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

I hear that. Boat envy can be bad.

Didn't want to have to change transom assemblys, but mine is garage kept, so the bolts should come undone no problems. We'll see. I don't want to take on that much of a project.. but, I can get the 1998 pretty cheap.. so, it could be an inexpensive way to upgrade to a newer boat.

If your complete drive package is in good shape, it is not that big a deal to completely swap out everything including the transom assembly.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 vintages/swap

I saw it last night. I was fine with the boat having a bad engine and no outdrive, but the interior and floor were in terrible shape. It would've been way more of a project than I wanted to take on (translation = I'm sure my wife wouldn't allow me the time needed). If the interior was in good shape, then I'd have no problem with the entire swap.

Good info that I learned here though.. I'm finding that newer boats my size (like 1994 to 1998) aren't too expensive if the engine is bad.. so, since I know how to do the swap, it still may not be a bad idea for me to keep my eye out for good boats with bad engines..