bayliner engine swap

[etmox1]

Got a 17 foot 1987 bayliner with the 2.3L 4 cylinder ford OMC cobra. Needless to say the engine has gone to crap. Is is plausable to put a 4 cylinder mercruiser engine in the boat and have it hook up to the cobra out drive with minimal adjustments or will this entail lots of work and money? Also will any other engines attach to this outboard drive assembly? First boat and don't know a lot about doing an engine swap. Thanks for any help that you can give.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: bayliner engine swap

I would post this question in the stern drive repair section, you're more likely to get a fast response.

 

[etmox1]

Re: bayliner engine swap

Let me ask this then. What if any engines that would fit my boat could be swapped out and work with the cobra stren drive set up?

 

[chargerboy]

Re: bayliner engine swap

My point is that you are posting this question in a section of the forums that involves building boats. Not engines. If you want a proper answer, you're going to have to post your question in an appropriate category. The engine experts don't spend their time browsing the boat building section. If you want the right answer, you're going to have to ask the right people.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: bayliner engine swap

Save your money. Look for a trashed boat with a mercruiser and 140 motor. The OMC outdrive is the least desirable and is no longer made. You would be spending monet to attach a motor to an obsolete outdrive.

I bet you can make money by selling the outdrive to cover some of the expense of a swap.

Is the boat overall worth it? Maybe you should be looking for a different boat. 1987 Bayliner's were prone to rot too Have you inspected for rot?

Just trying to save you money and heartache. No need for a duplicate post.

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: bayliner engine swap

From my research (Not Experience) It is possible. I am looking at an 89 Bayliner with a Merc 3.0 motor and a OMC cobra outdrive. If either one goes out on me I'll replace it or the boat whichever is more economical. That is IF I decide to buy the boat. If the motor goes out I was thinking about upgrading to the 4.3 Vortec if the Drive goes out I was thinking of upgrading to the SEI.

SEI makes a conversion kit for a Mercruiser outdrive so it would stand to reason that if his outdrive takes a dump on him and he needs to replace it he can do so with the conversion kit. A new SEI alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive replacement will cost just under 1,200 and the OMC conversion kit for $350 from my last visit to the site.

I have been wrong before and I might be If I am I stand corrected. Just throwing something out there. This is what I planned on doing with the one that is on the boat that I am considering. So I too am fishing and researching the possibilities.

Then again thats just my Newbie train of thought.

MacPointMan

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: bayliner engine swap

From my research (Not Experience) It is possible. I am looking at an 89 Bayliner with a Merc 3.0 motor and a OMC cobra outdrive. If either one goes out on me I'll replace it or the boat whichever is more economical. That is IF I decide to buy the boat. If the motor goes out I was thinking about upgrading to the 4.3 Vortec if the Drive goes out I was thinking of upgrading to the SEI.

SEI makes a conversion kit for a Mercruiser outdrive so it would stand to reason that if his outdrive takes a dump on him and he needs to replace it he can do so with the conversion kit. A new SEI alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive replacement will cost just under 1,200 and the OMC conversion kit for $350 from my last visit to the site.

I have been wrong before and I might be If I am I stand corrected. Just throwing something out there. This is what I planned on doing with the one that is on the boat that I am considering. So I too am fishing and researching the possibilities.

Then again thats just my Newbie train of thought.

MacPointMan

 

[Bondo]

Re: bayliner engine swap

Is is plausable to put a 4 cylinder mercruiser engine in the boat and have it hook up to the cobra out drive with minimal adjustments or will this entail lots of work and money? Also will any other engines attach to this outboard drive assembly?

Nope, 'n Nope....

 

[sea wolf]

Re: bayliner engine swap

If u drop a 3.0 in there the SEI conversion to get rid of the Cobra will run u about 2 grand. Plus you may have to install a new shifter, which is another couple hundred. And you'll have to include labor charges if u can't do the install yourself. Me, I'd be looking for another boat. Do u want to sink that kind of dough into a 23 yr. old Bayliner? I'm not knocking Bayliners, but you won't get your investment back if u ever decide to sell.