1984 Century Swap Question...

[Matt86K5]

Engine Swap In 84 Century Mustang...?
Hi. I would like to put a larger engine in my 1984 Century Mustang 195. It is about 20 foot long. It currently has the 3.7 4 cylinder known as the 470. I have heard about alot of problems with these engines. While mine is working fine, I would like to start saving for a engine to swap in when this one does fail. I don't want anything crazy but would like around a 350 Merc engine or something like that. I know it would be easier to sell this boat and get one that has what I want but this boat has alot of sentimental value. It did belong to a friend and fellow Marine who was killed in action. Is this possible and what all are my options? Can I convert it over to a thru hull exhaust? The boat overall is in good condition. I am having it re-painted and reupholstered as we speak. The outside will be all bright white with some black and gray vinyl graphics and the interior will be a white/black/gray design. Most of the wood is in good shape. My friend I think never used his fenders. Thanks.

Here are some pictures from the day I went to pick it up.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

i've only done one I/O, but i don't think it would be a bad job to swap out for a 5.0 or 5.7, would probably have to chage the outdrive also. make sure the stearn cut out works. remember you have to use all marine electrical componets, or you stand a chance for the big BOOM. i'd go standard exhaust, thru hulls are just noisey, and another place for a leak.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

When starting with the 470,+ Wanting Thru-hull Exhaust....
The 4.3l V6 is the Best Option........'cause it'll use the Same outdrive gear Ratio.......

Being a 1984,... You should have the Alpha drive....
After you build an engine bed for the V-motor engine mounts,......
It Should just Bolt Right In.......

 

[Matt86K5]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

Thanks for the reply. I don't mind the noise too much, and up here on Alum creek I wont be the only one. I'd say 1 out of 3 has a Loud exhaust. Besides that I kinda like it.

Changing the out drive doesn't matter to me too much as it needs rebuilt anyway, and I had planned on doing a whole re-power anyway. I had sat quite a bit of money set aside to buy a new boat, but since I inherited this from my friend I decided to make it nice as kind of a tribute to him. So I am fully prepared to spend the money since I was going to spend it on a new one anyway. This way it will be like new. I was planning on using the 5.7 crate motor from mercruiser. Any opinions on those? Which outdrive do you recommend with me going that route. I would like to stay with mercruiser products as I have always had good luck with them.

Also you were correct, it does have the Alpha 1 on it now. The housing had a small leak in it and was never fixed so it leaked all the lube and filled with water and bent the shaft.

When I had it surveyed all else came out pretty well. Mainly my friend just never used bumpers and left it uncovered alot in the sun. The boat only has 135 hours on it. Thanks for your help, I am reading alot through the site and learning alot. I have been around boats all my life, just never really worked on them or planned a rebuild like this. Thanks again.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

read in the merc i/o forum also, it's a good tribute to your friend, i was a navy corpsman, serving in country vietnam, with the marines.

 

[Matt86K5]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

read in the merc i/o forum also, it's a good tribute to your friend, i was a navy corpsman, serving in country vietnam, with the marines.

Awesome man. We had a corpsman with us on all of our outings as well. I have been a few places, most recently Iraq at the beginning. That was where my friend died and I had part of my knee blown off. So, unfortunately I am no longer active. I am fine now though, but not good enough. Good to see other military men out there.

 

[Matt86K5]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

I just brought home a Merc 350 magnum. It is out of a 97 with only 200 hours on it. We should hopefully be starting just in time to ruin going out early on this year. Hopefully it will be ready by mid June or so?? How fast do you think my boat will be able to go? It is a tournament ski edition if that means anything different. Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

With a 350 Mag, in a 19' boat,........... You're gonna Fly.............

If your Transom Assembley is in Good Shape,........
Because you're going with Thru-hull pipes,..... The Y-pipe won't be any issue.....
1 of those aftermarket SEI Outdrives should be Just the Ticket.........
You'll need the 1.5:1 ratio.......

 

[Windykid]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

Matt, sorry about your freind. I am a desert storm vet also.


Make him proud!

 

[Matt86K5]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

With a 350 Mag, in a 19' boat,........... You're gonna Fly.............

If your Transom Assembly is in Good Shape,........
Because you're going with Thru-hull pipes,..... The Y-pipe won't be any issue.....
1 of those aftermarket SEI Outdrives should be Just the Ticket.........
You'll need the 1.5:1 ratio.......

LOL...that's the plan. What are the SEI out drives? Any links? I was hoping to rebuild and re-gear my Alpha 1 to a 1.5:1. Is this a bad idea? What kind of speeds do you think? Just a guesstimate for dreaming purposes? Do you think I should think of adding trim tabs because of the added rear weight and power to help bring down the front?

Matt, sorry about your freind. I am a desert storm vet also.
Make him proud!

I will definitely make him proud. I know he would love it!!

Here is some pics of the engine.

 

[Matt86K5]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

anybody??

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

Matt your to the point you need the help of these guys, especially DonS. he's the Guru. if he tells you something, it's right.
http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

 

[Matt86K5]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

Matt your to the point you need the help of these guys, especially DonS. he's the Guru. if he tells you something, it's right.
http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

Should I copy my question over there or can you move it? Either works, just let me know what I need to do. Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

start a new post over there, give serial numbers if possible. it really helps them. i've hod my one and only I/O, but i learned so much there. give them all the facts, don't worry that the post is long, the more you give the more you get back.

 

[Matt86K5]

Re: 1984 Century Swap Question...

start a new post over there, give serial numbers if possible. it really helps them. i've hod my one and only I/O, but i learned so much there. give them all the facts, don't worry that the post is long, the more you give the more you get back.

Will do. Thanks for the help.