full engine/sterndrive swap help!

[Htamotorsports]

Well here goes.

I just bought a 21' Eagle by Seabold. Boat is absolutely mint. The thing is I bought it w/ no motor/sterndrive.Basically there is just a hole in the transom.
It was originally powered by 5.7 mercruiser and an alpha 1 sterndrive.

Now im thinking about picking up 21' Bayliner for the power, it has a 5.7 in it w/ a Volvo sterndrive.

Now i own my own performance shop and do motor swaps on turbocharged 4cylinder cars everyday, so I know my way around a wrench.

Am I gonna have any trouble w/ fitting the new setup into my eagle? Do you have any special tips, any special tools needed? Is it as easy as removing the sterndrive as one, removing the motor and reversal?

I tried to search the subject but really didnt find what I was looking for.

I appreciate your help!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: full engine/sterndrive swap help!

My first question is what year Bayliner had an actual Volvo sterndrive? Is it really a Volvo or is it an OMC Cobra? I ask this, because Bayliner has been owned by Brunswick Corp for a long time. And Brunswick owns Mercruiser and you have only been able to get a Mercruiser in a Bayliner for that same long time.
Some others a lot more knowledgeable than me will follow and probably give you All the info you need. They may ask you for even more info about your two boats and the engine/drive in the Bayliner, so be ready with HINs and engine/drive serial numbers. Good luck.

 

[Don S]

Re: full engine/sterndrive swap help!

Bayliner did use Volvo back in the 70's and early 80's, and I have also personally repowered many Bayliners with new Volvo packages.
My question for Hta is what year and model sterndrive is it.
You will have to enlarge the cutout for the older volvo drives, the newer SX/DP-S style that came out in 94 takes the same cutout as the Mercruiser.

 

[Bondo]

Re: full engine/sterndrive swap help!

Ayuh,......

My introduction to Bilgeliners was a early 80s vintage 26'er that was powered by a Volvo, 350, with I believe a 280 outdrive.....
If I remember right,.... It didn't have hyd. trim though.....

I guess the Good part of your repower is you'll be cutting the transom hole Bigger,+ not having to fill it in 1st......
You'll probably want to draw/ build a Pattern from the Bilgeliner to transfer the size of the transom hole to your Seabold.....

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: full engine/sterndrive swap help!

Well, I knew you could get a Volvo in a Bayliner, but you guys confirmed what I thought, it's been 20 years. So at the minimum we are talking about a 20 year old Chevy engine and Volvo drive, and enlarging the hole in the back of the boat.
Glad you're good with a wrench hta, how are you with a saw and fiberglass and sealer? Have fun, you've got a project ahead of you.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: full engine/sterndrive swap help!

Howdy,


If you own a "Performance" shop, I am going to assume that you *might* want performance.

In that 21ft boat a 5.7L engine might not give you the "performance" you want.


I removed a Ford 460/King Cobra from my 87 FourWinns Liberator (21') and replaced it with a 454/Bravo (all by myself too, btw and I don't do any of this stuff for a living.....I fly airplanes! )

My brother bought this boat new and he drove the "Small Block" and decided on getting 460 Cobra (sic) because he said the SBC model was a "real dog" in the 21 ft Liberator.

Just something else to think about in looking for a re-power engine/drive


Cheers,



Rick

 

[watermellonI]

Re: full engine/sterndrive swap help!

It ll probably go smoother than any auto engine you ever done as far as pullin and replacin, mechanically speakin, just be careful of any electronics and make sure ya stay with marine applications vs auto.