I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

[tpenfield]

yeah the new owners of our house stopped by today to give us a hug. We left them lots of useful stuff we just don't need at the new house and like you marketplace is a drain of the soul. We could, and did, and still are, donating lots of stuff but we set them up for success.


is your dash tilted or have i had too much to drink today?

Propped up on one side to get a few fasteners out.

 

[tpenfield]

I tried to get the side panel off, which would give me full access to the rigging. Got it all loosened up, but the wet bar was in the way and would require a whole bunch of work to move it . . .

 

[Scott Danforth]

is your dash tilted or have i had too much to drink today?

Both

Note the beer in your hand and the chunk of pine under the port side of the helm

 

[tpenfield]

Bolts are done . . .

I got the longer bolts and finished off the bolts
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I had 'AI' show as all painted white . . .
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Looks OK.

Next steps are the scarf joints on the outside.

 

[redneck joe]

why the plate on the top ones and not lower?

 

[tpenfield]

why the plate on the top ones and not lower?

Because . . .

(top is in tension, bottom is in compression . . . for the most part)

 

[tphoyt]

Looks great your on the home stretch

 

[redneck joe]

Because . . .

(top is in tension, bottom is in compression . . . for the most part)

thats what i thought but the redneck in me says do all of them'

 

[Pmt133]

Less payload for beer if you do both

 

[redneck joe]

Then go grain .... can also use as fuel in a pinch. Or first aid.

 

[Lou C]

ethanol is the devil for marine engines
just had 30 gallons pumped out of my tank due to having to use that!
yeah some people have no problems, neither did I till last year.....I learned from that, to run it on the outboard tank BEFORE rebuilding carbs and replacing points, lol.

 

[tpenfield]

Removing the Mercruiser wiring and controls . . .

It is a bit mind boggling to see the amount of electronic 'stuff' and wiring that goes along with these 'current day' engines. I have spent the past few days taking it all out.
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Helm station carnage . . .

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The Mercruiser cables were foamed-in to a passage way along with the rest of the wiring.
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I had to remove the side panels along the starboard side to get decent access. Of course the helm seat/wet bar assembly had to be moved to provide clearance.
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I suppose I should keep these panels off since the re-power shop will need similar access.

I could never have loosened these cable without taking the side panels off.
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Here is all the stuff that was behind the helm station . . . Mercruiser electronic spaghetti . . .
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I did end up cutting a few power-related wires, because the ends were buried in the electrical boxes.

I also 'think' I found the cause of one of my electrical gremlins . . . The Port engine clean power cable appeared to have come loose at the main power connection.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ted, you realize there is about 400# of wiring, actuators, etc there

 

[tpenfield]

Ted, you realize there is about 400# of wiring, actuators, etc there

That sounds like a lot. I better do some practice lifting.

 

[Willyclay]

I also 'think' I found the cause of one of my electrical gremlins . . . The Port engine clean power cable appeared to have come loose at the main power connection.

It is usually the simple stuff. Hang in there, the "finish line" is so close now. Good luck with your great project!