Advice with fitting brand new MerCruiser 3.0l bobtail into alfpha 1 gen1 drive

[lawson]

Hi guys i am looking for some advice,..my old 1987 3.0l merc has finally given up on me...manifold rusted though and water on top of pistons, piston rings stuck in, water in sump and valves in head not fully closeing etc...i am told its a rebuild...so i am thinking of buying brand new 3.0l bobtail genuine merc engine...now i have been told that to drop this engine into my boat and use with my gen 1 alpha 1 outdrive i will only need a wire loom adapter for my old gauges and to change the inner transom plate to a gen 2...the new engine also has power steering and the guy said he could sell me to bits to fit on mine to covert mine into power steering ...he said the bits where very cheap and its a very easy job to fit with snap on conectors....can anyone confirm what i have been told and give me anymore info of which you feel i need to no to complete this engine swap...thanks for your advice guys

 

[lawson]

Re: Advice with fitting brand new MerCruiser 3.0l bobtail into alfpha 1 gen1 drive

No answers?...Hey come on guys someone here must no if this is possible and what is needed to repower my 1987 boat with alfpha1 gen1 outdrive with new merc 3.0l bobtail engine....thx guys

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Advice with fitting brand new MerCruiser 3.0l bobtail into alfpha 1 gen1 drive

easiest way would be to purchase a new long block and a manifold and reuse the rest.
otherwise reuse your old bell housing and inner shield. the power steering is up to you but the less junk in the trunk the easier it is to maintain.

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: Advice with fitting brand new MerCruiser 3.0l bobtail into alfpha 1 gen1 drive

Is your drive ok?

If so, I wouldnt think you would need anything except an engine.

Either a long block or buy a complete engine and just drop it in.

 

[lawson]

Re: Advice with fitting brand new MerCruiser 3.0l bobtail into alfpha 1 gen1 drive

thx rodbolt for reply....the reason i want to drop and complete new motor in is that i have just had so much trouble with the old one..also the mechanic has said all he was going to do was free the rings on pistons..and reground old Valves into head and put back together...i feel i would be better with a whole new trouble free motor..is just swaping the old bell housing and inner shield an easy job...and when u say inner shield u dont mean the inner transome i guess...i think at the end of the day i just want a new motor put in it and trouble free boating...if it is an easier job to change old bell housing and inner shield and not inner transom then thats the way ill go....u said about not using power steering off engine...do i have to strip the pump of the new engine?.....

 

[lawson]

Re: Advice with fitting brand new MerCruiser 3.0l bobtail into alfpha 1 gen1 drive

Is your drive ok?

If so, I wouldnt think you would need anything except an engine.

Either a long block or buy a complete engine and just drop it in.

yes the drive is fine....but i dont think its as easy as just droping in a new 3.0l merc as its a gen1 outdrive....thats way i was asking for some help....i wish it was that easy ...lol

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Advice with fitting brand new MerCruiser 3.0l bobtail into alfpha 1 gen1 drive

that engine is avalible bobtail.
there were some rear engine mount changes and I cant remember all the details. thats why I said use your original bell housing and go play. that way the inner transome shield doesnt have to be changed.
you can buy new hot run long block for about 2200,buy a new exhaust manifold, reuse any reusable parts from the previous 3.0 and go play. or a bobtail is about 3800 ready to drop in.
DonS may remember the mount changes and how to get around it but the bobtail engine withot power steering is still avalible.

 

[lawson]

Re: Advice with fitting brand new MerCruiser 3.0l bobtail into alfpha 1 gen1 drive

hey rodbolt...thx for your advice and help...however i am going to get a fully dressed genuine mercruiser engine and hopefully ill get a few years trouble free boating then...i will get the new inner transom and hope the new 3.0l just drops in without anytrouble...i have phone loads of mercruiser main dealers here in the uk where i live and know one can give me a straight answer on weather a brand new 3.0l mercruiser will just drop in and couple up without any mods to the inner transom or bellhousing to my gen 1 outdrive...some say it will be fine...some say i will need to change the bell housing...one guy even said the exhaust will be to small for the gimbal bearing....i guess ill just have to wait for it to arive and see...but as u said DonS mite see my post and give a definite answer if he knows...thx