Preserving a Bravo 3

[IVAZ]

Hello,
My dad?s neighbor is getting rid of his boat due to it having a blown engine and a good amount of damage from a tree that fell on it. A guy is buying the blown engine because he wants to rebuild it for his boat. My dad?s neighbor is going to sell me the Bravo 3 and everything behind the engine for $350. The props are in good shape and by themselves are worth what I?m paying for the whole drive in my opinion. He last ran the boat four months ago (we boat year round here) and he said the drive performed well.
I have a Merc 4.3 with a functional Alpha so it?s not going to go in this boat. I won?t be able to buy a project boat until maybe next year.
My questions are:
How do I preserve the drive for at least a year? What all do I pull from the boat to have a complete package? (besides everything behind the engine)
Thanks.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

Howdy,

That is a swing'n deal if there's nothing wrong with the drive!

(By the way I bought my 454/Bravo III from a guy that had a tree fall on his boat(across the bow) up here in the NW during a big windstorm a few years ago!!)

You didn't say what the engine is but you should try to get it too (even though it's "blown") if you can.

If you cannot get it, try to get the shift plate, oil/PS cooler, raw water pump, hoses, alternator and wiring harness. I wouldn't get the manifolds and risers unless they're in really good condx(if you get a good or rebuilt engine, you want new manifolds and risers anyway)...... Make sure you get the exhaust Y-pipe and associated plumbing.

I'd also get the shift quadrant (if it's good) and the steering cable and wheel. Also get the gages and under-dash wiring harness if they're ok.

You'll need to pull the engine after you pull the drive to get to the transom plate and gimbal. (it took about 2 hrs to pull the drive, engine, gimbal, trim pump etc when I did it.)

Depending on the year you'll either need Mercury manual #11 or #28 Go HERE for the manuals.

If you're going to store the drive inside, just make yourself a drive stand out of 2x4 lumber so you don't have to lay it down.(takes up less space that way)

I'd pull the props too just to make it easier to store.

Good luck!



Rick

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

Wow, a smokin deal that is for sure. Get every piece of merc stuff you can get your hands on out of this package. Trim pump, inner/outer transom hsg/trim rams/drive. You could make a tiedy profit parting this stuff out or better yet save it for a future project.

I'd change the oil in the drive just to make sure there is no water.

James

 

[meesh]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

I would also drain that drive to make sure it has no water in it. After that refill it so it does not rust up on you. Also make sure to store it indoors, not outside and when you need it, it will be good to go.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

The guy I?m getting this from is technically my godfather. He has known me since I was born. I?m actually not giving him any money, I have to just repair the fence that was also destroyed by the same tree. The material cost me $367.33 at Home Depot, so that plus the labor of putting the fence back up is what the drive is going to cost me. I got a lifted Bronco from him a while back also. He had just put $1200 dollars worth of tires on it and he gave it to me. This guy is awesome.
I went last night to check the outdrive's fluid. No water at all. The motor is 454 and is already spoken for so I can?t have it. No big deal my dad has a 454 in his garage that runs and also a 502 that needs rebuilding. I will be able to get all the marine parts because the guy that?s buying the engine already has his parts.
I might just sell my boat and buy something to put this drive on instead of waiting until next year for a project. I have to get permission from the wife first (don?t act like you don?t have to).
I will download the manuals when I get home.
I think Don had a pic of a drive stand he made, I?m going to find it.
I appreciate the info on what to pull from the boat. Thanks guys.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

HEY I'll take the 502 if you don't want it!!!!

Look around for a FourWinns Liberator (211/241 model)

Most of them came with the 460 King Cobra and a lot of them are now needing engine rebuilds. Manifolds and couplers are not easily available any more and having an OMC 460 inside makes them essentially worthless!!


It's a go-fast boat with a bigblock in it! (especially a built up 454 or 502)

It would be a little faster with a Bravo I (maybe 3-5 mph) but the holeshot & slow speed/REV handling with the III is just awesome!



Cheers,


Rick

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

Thanks for the tip on the Liberator's. The Craigslist hunt begins!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

Oh boy! I get to show a picture!

Here's what mine looks like after I installed the BIII

Good luck!


Rick

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

Thru hulls with a 454, I bet you wake up the dead. Very nice HT. Im going to have to get me one of them fancy digi cams.
Hopefully I will be here soon asking some questions about how you went about that swap.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Preserving a Bravo 3

Well,

I did have thru hull exhaust with Capts Call.

I didn't have all the fittings to connect so I just used the Y-pipe and capped off the thru-hull fittings.

If I find some decent marine mufflers I might hook them back up using the Capts Call.

It was literally unbearably loud with straight exhaust before....