engine and outdrive swap question?

betayv

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hello there I have a 1979 mercruiser cruiser barnegat with a 228/305motor and a pre-alpha outdrive, I just bought a 1995 232 Wellcraft Eclipse Bowrider no motor, used to have a mercruiser 5.0 and no outdrive at all only the gimbal ring and inner plate is on the boat my question is CAN I use the 228 motor on the 1995 and what about the outdrive can i Install the outdrive on the 1995 or the gimbal and inner are differents thanks for any help?
 

betayv

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

anybody?
 

Bondo

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

my question is CAN I use the 1979 228 motor on the 1995 and what about the outdrive can i Install the outdrive on the 1995 or the gimbal and inner are differents

Ayuh,... In short,.. No,... There's Way too many differences...
 

betayv

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

I cant use the engine or either the outdrive?
 

betayv

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

???/???? helllooooo
 

jtybt

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

Your 'pre-alpha' is an MR which is an alpha before they changed the name. W

What drive was on the '95?

I wouldn't put older 5.0 in a 23' boat. You'd be under-powered. You'd get where you're going but probably have to work the poop outta the engine.
 

betayv

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

hello and thanks for the reply ok outdrive is clear that I have to get 1 for the newer model, the engine is on a 22 feet 4900 pounds the new boat is 3900 pounds. the new boat dont have any outdrive but according to sterndrive engineering is a alpha one generation 1.
 

jtybt

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

Alpha I is same as MR. There could be a difference if the newer drive had a oil reservoir connection in the bell housing....otherwise, straight swap.

Engine will also drop in but there's a possible difference with wiring harness ie: ignition system.

I wired up a '78 boat harness to a TB IV ignition system. The main wiring harness plug doesn't match. Gotta improvise.
 

betayv

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

ok thanks for the reply i will check on the housing and i will post back thanks.
 

Bondo

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

Ayuh,... The 1995 is an Alpha 1, Gen.II...

The Exhaust, Wiring, Flywheel cover,+ coupler are All Different...
And, that's the short list....
 

Cptkid570

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

Betayv - I took my complete alpha 1 gen 1 engine package including outdrive and gimbal housing out of my 1985 boat and put it into my project 1996 boat. It can be done. Search my past posts and you may find some questions I'd asked on here about it (I have 2 boats, so most of my questions on here won't apply)

Anyway - the holes in the transom are the same, so your outdrive will line up. You just have to take out your entire transome assembly and use your whole engine package (engine, transom assembly, and outdrive). So, you'll strip the new boat bare, and then take absolutely everything off of your old boat and put it into the new boat. You'll want to make sure you get the engine aligned properly.

As for the wiring, the engine harness/plug may not line up the same, but hte colors should be the same, so you can just keep your plug and splice the wires from the new boat into the wires from your engine package (if they don't already line up).. it's no big deal... you can find the service manual and check wiring for your new boat vs the old one and see if there is much difference..

You'll need a new gasket for the transom (it's cheap) and may want to change out some maintenance items while you have it all apart (like the lower shift cable)
 

Cptkid570

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

ps - you'll also have to use your older boat's y-pipe, inner transom assembly, outer transom assembly, bell housing, etsc.

You should be able to use the new boat's steering and tilt/trim pump.

while the engine is out, it's a good time to clean out the bilge, make sure the bilge pump is working and wired up right..
 

betayv

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

hi there thanks for the reply great info, the new boat have the gimbal ring, inner plate there if I buy a new outdrive for the 1995 boat meaning If I want to use only my engine what do you think about that.
 

Cptkid570

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

You'll have to find out if the engine coupler will work. I'd imagine that the rear motor mounts would be in the same spot. Other than that, I can't think of anything else that would attach to the engine from the outdrive.. Bondo would know the answer to that.

My old boat had a brand new outdrive (SEI -- aftermarket) so I didn't want to buy another GenII outdrive..
 

betayv

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

ok thanks the 1995 boat dont have the motor inside someone took it out already and trow away they only left the intake manifold and the carburetor, hey you are wil7483 that put that 350 engine on the boat.
 

Bondo

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

Bondo would know the answer to that.
Ayuh,... I already Did, in post # 10.... It's about ALL Different...
 

Cptkid570

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

Nope, I'm not wil7483.

If you want, you could post some photos of the engine compartment and transom and you could get more answers on exactly which parts you will need versus what you don't have.

I just found it easier to swap everything..but, everything in my donor boat was in great condition.. Swaping the transom assembly was much easier than I thought it would be..

You just have to figure, with some of your own labor, you just did a major boat upgrade for $500 plus some wiring and gaskets.
 

betayv

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Re: engine and outdrive swap question?

thanks bond-o Im going to take the motor out of the old boat and check the coupler, I already know, if I want to do this I need a new outdrive anyway my old outdrive works but I know is time for a new one
 
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