Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

[donmi]

Hi there,

Newbie has the first question.

We got a 1978 Bayliner Encounter 30ft, a lot of work, but it's worth.
It came without engines and drives, so we are looking for a solution.

Is it possible, to build in a Mercruiser drive instead of Volvo (was original in)??

Thanks

Michael

 

[Don S]

Re: Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

Sure. Put in a new transom, cut new holes and install Mercruiser.

 

[donmi]

Re: Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

Thanks Don,

I forgot something:

Does it make sense to do so, are used Volvo drives more available than Mercruiser, or are they better???
What is your opinion?

Michael

 

[Don S]

Re: Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

Does it make sense to do so

1978 Bayliner Encounter 30ft with a single engine, No, it makes no sense. Have that boat checked out for rot in the decks, stringers and transom before even looking at an engine or anything else. I have yet to see that old a BL without rot all the way through. The fact that it only had one engine means there is no weight to it. kind of like the ole top heavy Bayliner Explorers. Those things shouldn't be in waves over 6" high.

are used Volvo drives more available than Mercruiser,

Absolutely not. But they are more expensive. And if you have a transome shield in that boat, trying to match things up is going to be a chore.

are they better???

Not if they haven't been taken care of. and any drive that will fit your transom shield (if you have one) is old.

 

[donmi]

Re: Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

Sorry, I didn't write it:

two engines (I think 260 Mercruiser, 350 V8) were build in.

Yes, the transom is in for two outdrives (Volvo)

And you are right, we try also, to rebuild it like original.

And we will rebuild all the other stuff before I jump in the engine room.

I'm looking for information, to avoid (newbie) mistakes.

Thanks again.

Michael

 

[Don S]

Re: Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

two engines (I think 260 Mercruiser, 350 V8) were build in.
Yes, the transom is in for two outdrives (Volvo)

Lets put it this way, if you have Volvo transom shields, it didn't have Mercruiser engines in it. You would have had Volvo 260 engines (Also 350 Chevy) engines in it with Volvo Accessories on the engine.. Like manifolds, ignitions system, cooling system, etc.
Whatever you decide to go with, you need to have 2 of them, that is going to be even harder to find.
Before you start buying any engine and drive systems, you need to visit the Boat Restoration, Building, and Hull Repair forum http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22 for a while and determine what you are getting yourself into with this restore.

 

[donmi]

Re: Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

I did the information about the engines and the drives from the pre owner.

I did see the boat only for a few hours, before we made the decision to take it. We got the boat in our place the next week, then we see more, was it really volvo or mercruiser inside .....

Thanks for the advice with the other forum, makes sense.

Engine and drive is one of the last steps

Michael

 

[donmi]

Re: Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

I just got the exactly information from the pre owner:

Volvo 2x 290 engine with Volvo 280 drives...

Does this make sense??

Michael

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Change Volvo drive to Mercruiser Dive

Hi there,

Newbie has the first question.

We got a 1978 Bayliner Encounter 30ft, a lot of work, but it's worth.
It came without engines and drives, so we are looking for a solution.

Is it possible, to build in a Mercruiser drive instead of Volvo (was original in)??

Thanks

Michael

Howdy,



I hope you didn't pay anything for it. Because when you get through replacing the transom and installing 2 engines, transom-mounts and drives, you will likely have a lot more in the boat than it will be worth......


Good luck,


Rick