Please Help!!!!

[HoShorts]

Hello everyone, here's the deal....I recently purchased a 28 foot John Allmand Flybridge with no engines or outdrives.....it had 350's with alpha 1's.....now the question.....what is, are the differences between a marine 350 and a standard truck 350....reason being I have in my possession a 350 engine out of a Chevy Blazer that is running and complete and I also have an alpha 1 drive......could I use this combo for one side of the boat and simply look for another engine and drive? OR, is there going to be big probloms with this? Any help would be appreciated.....
Derek

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Please Help!!!!

Welcome to iboats.....
The block possibly will work, but you will need marinized starter, alternator, distributer & ignition, carb, fuel pump & brass core plugs.....
The bare block will work only if it is the right age l....
You need to post up what year the boat is & what year the engine is....​

 

[HoShorts]

Re: Please Help!!!!

Ok the boat is a 1975.....and the engine is a 1979......and i forgot to mention I have a donor cracked 350 marine engine to get the manifolds, starter, and things like that from that came with the alpha 1 drive I have.....thanks!
DK

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Please Help!!!!

It will work, make sure the manifolds/risers are in good condition internally.....
Frankly, if the engine tests good, I would replace them anyway, unless they look new......​

 

[HoShorts]

Re: Please Help!!!!

The reason I was concerned is I have heard stories that a dual engine boat has to have matched engines, and also that one engine turns clockwise while the other turns counter clock wise?????? basically everyone I talk to around here tells me something different but it all points to buying new very expensinve mercruiser engines......I already have one donor drive and cracked engine from an 87 sea ray that was practically free and I'm just hoping I can use my 79 blazer engine with the 87 alpha 1 drive and look for another engine and drive????? Any help would be appreciated!!!
Derek

 

[Bondo]

Re: Please Help!!!!

I'm just hoping I can use my 79 blazer engine with the 87 alpha 1 drive

Ayuh,.....

That'll work,..... But,....
You're probably going to have fitment issues with the Flywheel,....
Chevy changed the crankshaft bolt pattern between those 2 dates......

 

[HoShorts]

Re: Please Help!!!!

Hmm.....so my flywheel that is with the out drive won't work with the 79 engine......crap.....i don't know what to do.......i might just wait and hope to find a dual engine boat that's being junked......although i might be waiting a while......any suggestions?
Derek

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: Please Help!!!!

You just missed out on a FIRE DAMAGED boat here in AZ with two BRAVO III sterndrives in good shape. I think the engines were problably ok too as it burned to the deck and the engines were below the water line! But they already cut it up and ripped out the drives.

I would buy new SEI alpha drives and look around for two engines of the same model.

I think you need a Left hand and right hand rotaing drive though!

If your going to have two engines your drives should be counter rotating so you have no tourque stear or the boat listing to one side while under way.

If you have to do it once why not do it correct ?

 

[mcleaves]

Re: Please Help!!!!

I forget how it is on the AQ series, but isn't the gearing change just in the upper or the lower. What I am getting at is he may have half a drive


M

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Please Help!!!!

......

 

[mcleaves]

Re: Please Help!!!!

I think you replied to the wrong thread.... that is an awesome point for the AQ131 outdrive question in another thread

LOL.. I was up early for jury duty today

 

[HoShorts]

Re: Please Help!!!!

So......is it the outdrives that are reversed and both engines are the same???? in other words one outdrive is geared backwards from the other???? or are the motors different?

 

[Don S]

Re: Please Help!!!!

So......is it the outdrives that are reversed and both engines are the same???? in other words one outdrive is geared backwards from the other???? or are the motors different?

Could be!

You have to tell us what was there, or, if you are installing all new we can tell you how to go about it.
Either both engines with standard rotation and drives are counter rotating, or engines are counter rotating. Since you don't have either, that makes it easy. Pick one or the other and go for it.

 

[HoShorts]

Re: Please Help!!!!

Oh ok......so they make both......that's good. The boat currently has nothing...so i'm starting fresh.....I just need alpha's because that's what the holes in the transom are for and the motor mounts are set up for 350's......thanks guy I really appreciate all the help!
DK

 

[Don S]

Re: Please Help!!!!

I just need alpha's because that's what the holes in the transom are for and the motor mounts are set up for 350's......

That hole, is the same for Alpha, Bravo, Volvo SX and DPS, and OMC Cobra (Out of buisness) So don't let the hole in the transom and those motor mounts worry you. They can be used by lots of 350's.

 

[trussmonkey]

Re: Please Help!!!!

Ayuh,.....

That'll work,..... But,....
You're probably going to have fitment issues with the Flywheel,....
Chevy changed the crankshaft bolt pattern between those 2 dates......

just a question! from a Chevy gear head? what year did that happen?
are you talking about all Chevy motors or just marine Chevy small blocks?

 

[Don S]

Re: Please Help!!!!

The bolt pattern on the bellhousing didn't change, but the size of the flywheel did and the crankshaft, and rear seal. All at the same time.
This Merc Service bulletin should show you when.

Service Bulletin 2005-08

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Please Help!!!!

Aaaaah! If your thinking about a marine engine combined with a truck engine as twin eng.s The marine has a different cam so i think they'd be a little mis matched as far as sync./torque. I dont know the complete specs but beware marine eng.= different cam than auto. If you were going to use truck motors i think two truck motors would be better than 1 auto and one marine. Two marine would be ideal. good luck! Something to consider and check into.

 

[trussmonkey]

Re: Please Help!!!!

survey says;
(1959-1985) Gen I
(1986-1996) Gen II
(1997-2004) Gen III
(2005-pres.) Gen IV

there was apparently some overlap of years verses generation

I learned something new today! (must be time for bed)