Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

[Don S]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

What needs to be serviced every season? Seals?

Read this thread, http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=178695 and this thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=192804.
In the process, forget the winterizing part of it, and think yearly maintenance. Read between the lines a little bit. IO boats are not noted for being maintenance free. People may think they don't require maintenance, but it will catch up with them eventually, and the repair costs outweigh the cost of the preventive maintenance.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

You mentioned leaving your boat in the water for extended periods of time.

I also used to leave my Mercruiser equipped boat in the water for months on end. At least I did until I had a bellows leaking that allowed the drip, drip, drip. I got a phone call from the marina to tell me my boat was sunk. We got a large tarp under the hull, and pulled all the sides over the top of the boat. Then, we pumped the water out and refloated the hull. After rebuilding the carb, alternator and starter, we changed the oil and blew water out of the spark plug holes. A shot of ether, and we were up and running.

Leaving my I/O in the water essentially emptied my pocketbook. The dealership's mechanic ended up as one of my best friends--something I don't recommend. I can find easier ways to make friends.

If I was going to have a boat in a marina today for extended periods of time, it'd be outboard powered. Dry storage is now another option.

 

[Don S]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

Automatic bilge pumps that work should be in any boat left in the water. Even small auto bilge pumps will keep up with a bellows leak.

Another thing to think about with the newer outdrives or any outdrive other than the stringer drives, is the transom thickness. 2 to 2 1/4" is needed for the newer drives. There are also some tight flat and parallel specs to go with it.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

Read this thread, http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=178695 and this thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=192804.
In the process, forget the winterizing part of it, and think yearly maintenance. Read between the lines a little bit. IO boats are not noted for being maintenance free. People may think they don't require maintenance, but it will catch up with them eventually, and the repair costs outweigh the cost of the preventive maintenance.

Thanks Don. I understand the engine maintenance (tune up, belts, oil changes, fuel filter, etc), winterizing the sterndrive and engine, changing the sterndrive oil, and maybe the impeller as I see fit, but with my Series 400 I don't have a U joint, bellows containing the U joint, or gimbal bearing, so I don't see how much of those maintenance threads apply. I've had my drive apart to replace the shift cable and fix the prop shaft from when I hit some submerged object in deep water, but other than my ball gears getting used up every 2-3 seasons and having to screw around with shaft seals being eaten up, I wouldn't think of taking the sterndrive off at the end of each season. Hell, freeze protection consists of me putting the sterndrive all the way down and pulling two petcocks. When in good operating condition I can see how these old OMC drives could be "maintenance free" to some degree.

 

[Don S]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

When in good operating condition I can see how these old OMC drives could be "maintenance free" to some degree.

Then stick with the 60's to mid 80's OMC technology from a company that doesn't exist anymore, or for the past 12 years, and be happy with it.

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/2809525976.html

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

Back to Volvos...

Go with one of the AQ drives like suggested and you'll be as close to less maintenance as you can get.
You will be infilling your transom anyway so build the right thickness and you won't have any problems.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

I'm thinking obtaining a whole donor boat with a good AQ would be the best choice from the sounds of it

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

I'm thinking obtaining a whole donor boat with a good AQ would be the best choice from the sounds of it

Many people pick up donor boats for this.

 

[Part-time]

Re: Converting from I/O to V drive inboard

I'm thinking obtaining a whole donor boat with a good AQ would be the best choice from the sounds of it

You know parts are pricey and far and few in between for those. If it comes in a donor boat I doubt it would be posible to test it first before doing all the work.
Good luck with your swap.