Is my transon setup for a 20 inch motor

[smoedog]

So I have a 99 Suntracker with a force 50 motor that the top cylinder broke a ring landing. I am currently weighing my options of replacing that piston or just getting a new motor.

The force is a 24 inch motor and the anticav plate sits about 5 inches below the bottom of the motor pod. Also where the motor sits on the transom, it is also dropped down 5 inches.

Here is a pic with my current setup.

So can I run a 20 inch motor on this boat. I had issues with this motor last year blowing out the adapter plate gaskets between the powerhead and leg. I found a couple small cracks around and flattened the plate but haven't had a chance to test it. I don't want to spend the money repairing the piston for it to continue blowing out those gaskets.

 

[gm280]

Obviously that engine is not made for that transom. The engine is sitting too low...period! So I would look for another engine that does fit that transom. Your cavitation plate on the engine foot should be even with the bottom of the hull. Yours is way too long. And that does two things to the boat. First, it allows so many things to hit the long housing of the engine and therefore limits shallow water movement. Second, the increased friction limits your drivability and top end speed... However, with all that stated, you could install a jack plate and move that engine up to allow a perfect fit. The jack plate doesn't have to be one of those hundreds of dollar hydraulic types. But a mere adapter plate to accomplish the proper height. All that is entirely up to your wants... JMHO!

 

[smoedog]

Thats what I figured. My last pontoon had the transom level all the way across and not dropped down. It had a 25 inch motor and with the cav plate sitting flush. Since this motor needs a rebuild, i'll just start looking for another 20in motor

 

[ahicks]

Looks to me like that transom has been hacked by 5" at some point, likely to allow the use of a short shaft engine.Might be easier to replace that transom than fins a suitable engine to fit it...

 

[Woodonglass]

Posting some better pics of the splashwell and transom area might help us to help you with the possibility of rebuilding the transom to accomodate the longer shaft motor.

 

[smoedog]

Sorry everyone, I didn't measure the motor right. The current motor is a 20" motor. Before I measure from the mounts to the actual prop shaft. But I found the correct way and it is 20 inches from the mounts to the bottom of the cav plate.

Here are pics as requested, Looks factory to me.