Re: Engine Swaps
so if i use the volvo engine and outdrive to replace the merc engine and outdrive is it as easy as just pull and replace? obvioulsy its not that easy but i mean is everything going to match up the same or am i going to have complications with the controlls and such? never pulled an engine on a boat but have swapped a million drivelines in cars
thanks guys for any help
You'll need to change everything on both sides of the transom. You might even need to modify the cutout in the transom, some. But maybe not.
I think you can leave the shifter handle and the steering wheel/cable alone, but their ends and attaching points will most likely be different.
Plain and simple, if you want a boat with a Mercruiser drive, buy a boat with one already installed. If you want a Volvo Penta drive, buy a boat with one already installed. To swap one out, you will practically be reengineering the whole boat.
Imagine taking a new Viper and installing a Corvette ZR-1 motor. Sure, you might get it to fit and hooked up, but is it really gonna work? Not without an engineer working full time!
In their defense, Mercruiser and VP engine packages are sort of "plug and play". If you can get the proper wiring to the big plug on the motor, then it will work. That's why it's so much easier to swap complete engines within the brand. Like, if you have a 5.0 Mercruiser that is blown up, you can buy a 383MAG MPI right from Mercruier, and it'll drop right in and start right up.
Also be aware that there are really 3 different Mercruiser drives. Alpha One (and Pre-alphas) made before 1992, Alpha One Gen 2s made 1992 to present. And Bravo series. Nothing will interchange between any of them.
As far as Volvo, I think they have about 5 different DuoProp drives, and the SX. Luckily, the SX and a DP are interchangeable.
