convert outboard to inboard/outboard

[penguin]

I have a 1972 glastron gt 160. the boat is in very good shape, but i am about ready to kick the outboard(see my post in mercury) and you will understand. I was thinking about enclosing the transom and instaling like a jetski engine and pump ,or a universal kit such as the one from LEGEND PRODUCTS. It would be nice to drop a 350,chevy in it. I wonder how hard it would be to do this , and how stable would it be. A 350 or 327 v8 weights about (25 lbs) more than my 115 merc. and the jetski setup could be fine also. So can it be done? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT....THANKS, DAVE

 

[ThomWV]

Re: convert outboard to inboard/outboard

" A 350 or 327 v8 weights about (25 lbs) more than my 115 merc"<br /><br />That must be one very heavy Mercury. If I remember correctly a complete small block came in right around 450 pounds. My 225 Suzuki V-6 only weighs 464, it would be hard to immagine a 115 anything that weighed that much.

 

[penguin]

Re: convert outboard to inboard/outboard

It's a 1972 115 inline 6 outboard, and yes it is very heavy. a small block chevy 350 weighs in about 365 to 395, depending on enternal parts and or aluminum intake and heads.

 

[JasonB]

Re: convert outboard to inboard/outboard

The 160 was never offered with a sterndrive. It didn't have tons of freeboard and I'm sure a V8 sterndrive would be waaaaayyyyyy too heavy for that hull. I have a Ford 302/#1 mercruiser. The total package weighs in at 925lbs. You have to remember that just the manifolds/risers for a v8 will weigh a couple hundred pounds.<br /><br />Personally (I am a Glastron fan and own 2 of them) I would locate another outboard for it. I would really look for another Mercury that can use the existing controls. That boat will be much better off with the lighter OB power. A 4stroke OB would be a possibility. Dry weight of your motor is 270lbs. The GT160 was only rated to hold 4-5 adults and 120hp, so your sterndrive idea wouldn't leave any capacity for people either.

 

[penguin]

Re: convert outboard to inboard/outboard

270 lbs, is all the merc 115 weighs? wow, and for the past 2 years I was allways told from several people that it was around 325-335. I learn something new everyday.....thanks jason. P.S. what about a jetski setup? ...like one of them 3 cylinder 110-120 hp motors with it's pump, that may not be so bad. If not i guess i will try to find another outboard.....thanks

 

[JasonB]

Re: convert outboard to inboard/outboard

That weight (per NADA with trim) was for a '74 model which should be roughly identical to your '72. I have a '76 Johnson V4 that weighs is about 295. Those IL6 mercs were light. Glastron did offer a similar boat with a jet I think. Not sure how hard it would be to convert. You would have to ct a hole in the bottom for the intake and another in the transom for the Jet. It will be a lot of work. <br /><br />Keep in mind that your IL6 was hp rated at the flywheel and newer outboards (after about '84) are rated at the prop. For example, a new 90hp would pack similar power to your old 115. I have always heard that you subtract 7-10% when going from flywheel-prop ratings. A newer 115 would make that light 'tron fly and would just bolt on with little work.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: convert outboard to inboard/outboard

Davette:<br /><br />The way it went with Mercury (Changing from crank rated to prop rated) was kinda like this. The 140hp became the 115hp, the 115hp became the 90hp, and the 90hp went away.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Craig<br /><br />P.S.<br /><br />I was toying around with converting my GS160 (96) to a V-6 I/O also

 

[penguin]

Re: convert outboard to inboard/outboard

yea....The more I think about it I really do not want to cut-up my glastron gt. thanks to all you guys.... P.S. any cheap outborads 115-150 hp, 20"shaft w/controls that are not to far away from me? just thought I would ask