1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

[reavesga]

I have a 1974 Noresman DC Cuddy cabin. I purchased it two years ago and after replacing all the wood and all kinds of other refurbishmen work got her on the water in 2009. However, the old OMC stringer gave out about 6 weeks ago. I just happened to already have a 1971 mercruiser drive laying around so I decided to do the swap.

I will try to post pictures and status as I work through the process.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Here is the starting point. This is the boat up and running at Table Rock Lake.



Also, the engine bay prior to performing the swap.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Ok, so I purchased a 1971 Bonanza boat with a Mercruiser drive. After a long weekend, I pulled all of the running gear and started taking stock of it. It looks like it is in pretty good condition. Pulled the old transom plate out the boat. It looked like it was in good shape after two years of service. Built a new plate out of 2 3/4" and 1 1/2" sheets of ply wood. Bonded them together using Gorilla Glue and then coated everything with West Systems epoxy. The end result looks pretty good.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Once the plate was out of the transom I sanded all the metal, degreased the bilge area and gave it all a coate of bilge kote paint.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Cool boat! I can't quite tell if it's glass or aluminum...

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Cool boat! I can't quite tell if it's glass or aluminum...

I can just see the stringers have flanges with rivets.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Boat is aluminum. The wood portion of the transom bolts to the hull so removal and installation is straight forward. Will post some pictures shortly as the transom plate is now installed.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Here is a picture of the new external transom plate. This plate will screw into the location where the original OMC billows used to screw to the out side of the boat. The plate will be sealed to the exterior of the transom and then the gimbal housing seals to it. The original OMC hole is filled with wood that has been epoxied to the new 2" thick plate that is bolted into the stern.



Plate around the gimbal to see how it fits up



Stern of the boat with out the plate in place. Lots of green primer everywhere.



Plate in place. Next step is to hit it with some primer. Then remove it and drill holes through everything.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Drilled the first hole through the transom for the mercruiser. Started raining so that was that.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

More photos posted on the blog. Gimbal housing is installed. Gimbal plate is populated. Hydraulics work. Ready for an engine.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Engine goes in tomorrow. Here are some photos of the prep up to this point.

Interior gimbal attach plate installed and populated


Gimbal installed


Painted and ready for the gimbal


Exterior plate installed and hole cut

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

This thread is way behind.

It is all back together. Initial water test went well. Nothing broke and no leaks! There is a vibration and a cavitation that have to be addressed. Hopefully a new prop will resolve the issue.

Discussion on prop is under the following thread.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=445610

 

[oops!]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

hi....i believe the cav is caused by the od hole being way too high.

did you use the merc template and measuring kit for the placement of the hole?

it is quite a hassel to figgure out crankshaft centerline.
if you are too high you will porpose or cavitate huge

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Afraid you are right. I know folks who are running a little on the high side so I am hopeful that prop and no tail will fix issues. If not guess it all comes apart again. Will have to go down 2" to make the mounts work out.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

hi....i believe the cav is caused by the od hole being way too high.

hmmm

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

I think maybe that hole is too high just by comparing the thumbnail photo with my boat that was done by the factory.

[/IMG]

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Yeah, yeah...It is probably too high. So I am trying to figure out how this happened. Obviously something is measured wrong somewhere. Also, have a 5" tall beam running through the center of the boat. I know the engine is 1" lower than it was with the OMC setup. So I start measuring again. Here is the fun thing, the prop shaft to drive shaft length on the old OMC stringer is 1.5" longer than it is on the MC1. So, now I know why the MC1 cavitation plate is 0.5" up.

Anyone want to take bets on what the prop will do or should I just giveup and lower the motor onto the beam.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

or should I just giveup and lower the motor onto the beam.

you mean the center stringer?

, maybe someone here has the distance from the bottom of the transom to the bottom of the hole for your year (if that matters) alpha M/C

Btw didnt see that your motor was already in !
sorry!

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Yes the beam is the center stringer. In this boat it is a beam. 5" tall I-Beam.

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1974 Noresman DC Crestliner Re-Engine Project

Solas Amita 4 prop arrived here today. Prop looks great. Want fit though because it hits the trim tab !! Guess I have to get a new trim tab for the out drive.