1987 baretta ss engine swap????

[Cory Butcher]

First off thank you for this forum, there has been so many threads I have read to be able to get info on my boat. On the flip side being new to the boating scene I have learned some info on the engine that is in my boat.
(the dreaded 470,165 inline 4cyl w/self contained cooling system) This website has now scared the beejesus out of me and I would like to do an engine swap. My question being; what engines are suitable for this boat (18ft open bow) what engines will bolt up to my alpha one outdrive and is this a normal practice on boats? I have worked on cars for years and engine swaps from car to car is pretty common. Thank you in advance for the info look forward to hearing from you!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1987 baretta ss engine swap????

First relax. Welcome to iboats. This is not a restoration question but a question for the i/o section.

Is the engine running? Stop the worry the sky is not falling. Yes the 470 has fallen from grace but the good news is that parts are out there and with the proper maintenance you will be okay.

Alternator conversions are simple (and do it ONLY when it is needed), keeping an eye on the cooling system and just learn to disregard the horror stories.

Changing powerplants is not too hard but care must be taken to match gear ratios in the outdrive. Many people scrap boats every year with good engine outdrive combos.

I will move this to the correct section.

 

[Cory Butcher]

Re: 1987 baretta ss engine swap????

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 1987 baretta ss engine swap????

While your engine is an obsolete powerplant, if it's running, keep using it. Only when you break it, or something goes bad, should you even consider replacing it.

 

[Cory Butcher]

Re: 1987 baretta ss engine swap????

I do plan on keeping the engine in the boat until something happens but would like to have some info in line in the case that something does go wrong I can have a new engine lined up that way the boat wontbe out of the water too long.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 1987 baretta ss engine swap????

A modern 3.0 4 cyl has similiar power numbers and would fit the easiest. You would still need everything forward of the transom, though. So you are talking thousands of dollars.
For thousands of dollars I would install a 5.7. Yeah, you have to fabricate front motor mounts, and sometimes things like your fuel tank and stuff can be in the way, but for that much money, I'd want that much more power.