Mounting Mercruiser I (type R)

[kryptonite850]

I appologize if this has been addressed before, but I checked the forums for about an hour and didn't find anything.

I pulled the engine (strong) and outdrive (great) out of my 1972 Delta due to it having a rotten transom. I was going to fix the transom, but have decided it's not worth the hassle.

The engine: 165hp Mercruiser (GM 250)
The outdrive: Appears to be a pre-alpha Mercruiser I (type "R")

Question: Can I drop this Mercruiser engine in and mount the outdrive onto any 1990 or older Mercruiser equipped hull? In other words, are the Alpha-1 (generation 1) outdrives interchangable with type "R" outdrives?

Looking at another hull right now. It's a 1979 Wellcraft, no engine, outdrive on and good. No idea right now what engine was in it.

Another thought just hit me... Engine block length something I need to look at?

 

[kryptonite850]

Re: Mounting Mercruiser I (type R)

Ok, I found the answer to my OUTDRIVE question. Yes, all mercruiser drives from 1973-1990 ARE interchangeable, except for Bravo's (started in '86 I believe).

Still leaves the question about the engine... do most if not all hulls for 18'+ boats have a large enough beam to accomodate either a big block or small block engine? Do I need to measure my engine from mount to mount to make sure it's going to drop into the hull and mount to the beam without a problem?

Additionally: Does cooling make a difference? If the hull originally had a closed loop cooling system, while I need to tear it down to the cutout and put my gimbal housing, bearing, etc. on it?

 

[captk]

Re: Mounting Mercruiser I (type R)

If the new boat had a merc in it the rear mounts should be the same since they bolt to the transom plate. Front mounts are a different story. Inline 6 is longer than a I4, V-8 is altogether different. What was in the new boat? Take a look at the engine beds and make sure they are structurally sound. You may have to rebuild the stringers or front mount if they are rotten. good luck, Bill