I/o virgin needs crash course!

[jgrisham02633]

Alright so I am up to my gunnels in this Seacraft project I started, and the PO states he spent 4k buying stuff to convert it from a ford to a GM mercruiser. It currently doesn't have an engine, and I am trying to decide if I want to convert it to a bracketed outboard. Or continue the PO plan and put a 5.7 GM in it. Can someone please give me some advise and possiblly identify what they see attached to the boat so I can decide if its economically feasible? Thank you!

 

[Bondo]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Alright so I am up to my gunnels in this Seacraft project I started, and the PO states he spent 4k buying stuff to convert it from a ford to a GM mercruiser. It currently doesn't have an engine, and I am trying to decide if I want to convert it to a bracketed outboard. Or continue the PO plan and put a 5.7 GM in it. Can someone please give me some advise and possiblly identify what they see attached to the boat so I can decide if its economically feasible? Thank you!

Ayuh,.... Sounds like you were lied to,....
4 Grand oughta bought a full, 'n complete runnin' driveline, pulleys to prop, used....

Motors are pretty Cheap,... Dressin' a long block, to fully dressed, co$t$ a Fortune....
a drive is 'bout $1500...

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

No, definately not lied too. Guy was a real life Ned Flanders. Practically gave me the boat, he just lost interest in the project. I think he just bought some parts and paid to have some items rebuilt. You are right though, you could get the whole shebang for way less than 4k used.

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Oh and also, I can't find any number except 1.50 r on the drive itself. The serial number plate on the gimble is either worn or blank, drive is painted over.

 

[achris]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

That gimbal and inner transom plate are from the era 1983 to 1990 (and looks to me to be from the later end of that)... And Merc stopped using Fords in 1977...

If you don't have an engine, the easiest thing would be to go and buy a wrecked boat with a Mercruiser 5.7l V8 in it... Just pull the engine out of that and use all the good bits... I also see that gimbal housing has a block-off plate on the exhaust.... You are probably going to want to re-instate the original exhaust system... (I know thru hull sounds like a good idea... But it's not... Neither for you nor the poor sods who also have to listen to the noise!!)...

Chris.........

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Thanks Achris, PO told me about the block off plate, I'm definately pulling it out! So what model drive/drives would attach to that gimble/plate? The drive I have looks like a first gen Alpha but I really don't know.

 

[achris]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Any MC-1, R, MR or Alpha One drive will bolt up... Post a picture of the drive and we can identify. You may be able to pull the decal of the (I think) port side and there should be a serial number stamped into the housing....

With that serial we can give you the year and model...

Chris.............

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Thanks Achris, never would have thought to look UNDER the sticker. Looks like OC582279? Also would I have to reconfigure the engine bad itself or are there conversion mounts available?

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Here's a pic of the drive. This is what came with the boat when I bought it but who knows if it will fit the gimble?

 

[Don S]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

The outdrive is a 1989 model 5010150BS with a 1.50: gear ratio. and your gimbal housing and bellhousing look to be the same vintage and possibly were a matched set. The drive ratio is for a small block Chevy V8.

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Anybody out there ever convert from ford to chevy? Is the engine bed significantly different? I haven't quite been able to figure out what the height for the bed is supposed to be.

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Oh BTW thanks Don S.

 

[86 century]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

The eng bed is the same. You will need everything from belts to bellhouseing.

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

The eng bed is the same. You will need everything from belts to bellhouseing.

Initially I thought you were wrong but after some inspecting I realized I have a volvo engine mount. :-( So I need mercruiser brackets/mounts. I also noticed the bell housing doesn't utilize several holes is this acceptable? Looks like top center doesn't line up and several lower holes. Another question is: do the two flanges on the bottom of the bell housing need to be attached to something? I have nothing in place to actually attach that too.

 

[Don S]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Time to post some pictures of your Volvo engine. Not all Volvo setups are the same.

The Ford bellhousing (Flywheel cover) will not work on a Chevy, completely different bolt pattern.

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Time to post some pictures of your Volvo engine. Not all Volvo setups are the same.

The Ford bellhousing (Flywheel cover) will not work on a Chevy, completely different bolt pattern.

Here's the engine, I ran into another problem, the volvo starter attached to the volvo bell housing, now that I'm using the chevy housing I have to get a different starter. :-( The Bell housing I have is for a gm, I think?

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

OOps!

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: I/o virgin needs crash course!

Grrrr, looks like I might need a different flywheel? Can I just get longer bolts and bolt the hub to the old flywheel?