Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

[gwgautney]

Ok so I have bought a 1986 Sunbird 195 that needs a motor. I was able to find a model number on id plate on stern drive. The number is 98110. What I'm needing is information on what motor's are compatible with this outdrive and any other general info would be great. Honestly this will be a first project for me so any help would be greatly appreciated. Any help in hints on pulling old motor would be helpful too. Do I need to pull foot then motor stuff like that. I want to order me a manual for this but don't know where to start. It had a 2.5 liter in it. I think that is a gm motor. Also I found that the boot has a dry rot gash in it and was wondering what it takes to change it out.

Thanks a lot
Gwgautney
Mobile Al

I included a pic

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

good pic - that avoids a lot of confusion, because your drive is actually a 1985 model (common for engine and hull to be 1 year different). The 86 OMC outdrive was quite a different unit.

You'll need to look for another 2.5L or 3.0L marine engine PRE-1990.
Any Mercruiser, Volvo Penta, or OMC GM based 2.5L or 3.0L from late 1960's to 1989 will be a straightforward swap assuming your electrical, and fuel system is all still serviceable. don't get one newer than 1989 or you won't be able to use it with your drive coupler.
A 3.0 will be a 20HP upgrade over the 2.5L and is externally the same motor so a 3.0 would be the prime candidate.

You do not need to remove the outdrive to swap the engine with that model of drive. However, if you need to do the transom boot, you might as well take the drive off - again not necessary to change boots, but you want to do the impeller in the drive anyway so you don't put the new engine at risk of overheating. So you probably want to pull the drive.

A factory OMC manual can be purchased at outboardbooks.com or look for a 1985 one on ebay. Best $45 or so you could possibly invest in that boat.

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

So basically the motor should bolt straight up to bell housing?(not sure if thsts correct term for these boats ) That will be great. I am sure i am going to have a pile of questions in doing this. Thank you that is a big help to get me started. What toter of drive is this? I ve read and seen them called different things

 

[southkogs]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

So basically the motor should bolt straight up to bell housing?(not sure if thsts correct term for these boats )...

Where the engine would typically meet the bell housing of the transmission, yours meets what's called the intermediate drive. The intermediate drive passes through the transom and connects to the stern drive itself.

There's diagrams HERE if you want to get an overview (go to parts/ then select stern drive / navigate to your year).

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

What toter of drive is this? I ve read and seen them called different things

toter?

You have a:
mechanical shift, 400 series (stringer mount)
drive.

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

toter?

You have a:
mechanical shift, 400 series (stringer mount)
drive.

Thanks a bunch that will get me started thanks every body I found a seloc manual that covers to 1986 so that should be what I need right?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

Factory Manual Best, Seloc 2nd best, Clymer if you're desperate.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

I have changed the boot with and without the drive on. It does not take much to get the drive on and off. I normally disconnected the shift cable from the inside and pulled it out with the drive.

when you have the water pump apart to change the impeller. inspect the splines on the water pump shaft. that is a week spot.

How are the ball gears? if worn past half, they need replacing too.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

....You have a:
mechanical shift, 400 series (stringer mount)
drive.

Howard, are there in visual cues in that picture that show it is a 400 series, or do you just know by the engine?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

the 2.5 and 3.0 were the only engine in front of the Stringer 400.

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

the 2.5 and 3.0 were the only engine in front of the Stringer 400.

As far as needing a motor pre 90 how can I determine the year of motor?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

gwgautney, there are also some things you may want to consider doing after pulling the engine. Things you won't find in any manual.

Also when you get it all back together you may want to consider dumping that whale tail and adding some smart tabs.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

As far as needing a motor pre 90 how can I determine the year of motor?

Best would be to take the coupler off the rear of your crankshaft and take it with you to check the bolt pattern to the crank of any candidate.

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

gwgautney, there are also some things you may want to consider doing after pulling the engine. Things you won't find in any manual.

Also when you get it all back together you may want to consider dumping that whale tail and adding some smart tabs.

what things would i need to do that arent in the manual

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

what things would i need to do that arent in the manual

First off, pay particular attention to the condition of the lag bolts that hold the feet into your stringers. Over time, water seeps into the holes and degrade the bolts and the wood surrounding them. If you pull them and they look compromised but not soaking wet, I would replace them with stainless steel lag bolts. Secondly, I would pour epoxy down the holes and let it cure. Then I would re-drill them with a appropriate size drill bit and run the new stainless bolts down the holes.

I would also closely examine the splines on the coupler and the intermediate shaft to make sure that they have not deteriorated. They need to be re-lubed before you re-install the engine. If there is any rust in them, they will make it difficult to seperate the engine from the 'bell housing'.

If you have TruCourse steering, this will be a good time to remove it from the IH and lube it. Your setup is getting along in years and needs attention that is not outlined in the manual.

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

So in order to upgrade to a v6 I would need to go with a different out drive is this correct? Also I bought a manual and I cannot find my model number anywhere in manual the id plate is above foot on piece that runs through bellows

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

If you want a V6, buy a whole boat with a 1983-1985 3.8L OMC/800 drive and swap everything pulleys to prop.
Or, better yet - buy a boat with a Mercruiser V6 and alpha One drive and get rid of yours.

 

[gwgautney]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

so i have found a good deal on a hull with a cobra outdrive and 3.0 how hard would it be to do a complete drivetrain swap or is there a way for me to use just the motor on this boat not sure of the year i know yall said it needed to be pre 90 i guess if its after that would be my question is there a way to use it

 

[southkogs]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

A Cobra and a Stringer won't swap. You'd have to glass in the transom, make sure it was structured right and cut a new hole. The Stringer doesn't mount to the transom. It passes through it using a large hole. Cobras, Mercs and Volvos mount to the transom.

Gotta' be a stringer drive unless you're going to do a LOT of transom work.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Can anyone help me with information on this stern drive and hints for motor swap

if its after that would be my question is there a way to use it

nope