TRS Help

[mcaruthers95]

I recently bought a big boat for a very cheap price...now I know why....It needs a TRS outdrive! When I bought this boat I knew nothing about TRS drives. Now that I know they are rare and hard to find I would like to know what my options are. Its a 78' Regal/Reinall 24-footer with a 454 and a 330 TRS outdrive. I actually have the upper drive and the prop but the lower unit was not included with the boat. Is there anything that will bolt up to this boat that will withstand the HP or do I keep searching for a TRS? Not rich by any means so I can't buy super expensive fixes. Thanks for the help

 

[JustJason]

Re: TRS Help

Bondo I believe has some expeirence in these drives... I'm sure he'll chime in.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: TRS Help

Konrad makes a direct replacement for it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: TRS Help

Now that I know they are rare and hard to find

Ayuh,.... I Might know where there's 2 or 3 of them,.... I'll check today....
And,...
There's Nothing that'll Easily replace them,....
The transom needs to be glassed in,+ recut to go with Bravos...
And, a Bravo will set you back Several Grand...

 

[mkast]

Re: TRS Help

You minght check with a place called Riggs Marine in Eldorado, WI.

 

[Bondo]

Re: TRS Help

Ayuh,... I checked with Bobby thiis morning,... No TRS drives there,...
Just the transom assemblies,+ transmissions....

Bob says you can expect to pay about $2000. to $3000. for a Used TRS lower unit...
The Empty Case sells for $2000. New...

 

[picklenjim]

Re: TRS Help

Watch on ebay.Just go to boat parts and accessories and type in TRS.Last week a complete drive that looked pretty nice went for $645.Another place to look at is Offshore Only in the classifieds section.Konrads are 8 to 9K.The TRS came in basically 2 designs.73"to76" and 77"to93".Stick with the later.It's almost impossible to find parts for the earlier model.A guy on Offshore Only has new cases in the box for $1100.All the internals are on ebay or you can get a lot of them new on ishopboating.com.

 

[picklenjim]

Re: TRS Help

Just a little more info on the TRS,If you find a lower unit somewhere you don't just bolt it on.The bearing between the upper and lower units must be shimmed properly or you will have more problems.Also if you put one together you can get all the bearings from a bearing supplier for about half the price of Mercury.If you need any bearing numbers let me know.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: TRS Help

http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/M...S GM 454 V-8 1978-1985/4179554_6721527 (USA)/

 

[picklenjim]

Re: TRS Help

How much you want for the whole boat?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: TRS Help

I'd make a measurement before buying a TRS. I suspect a cruiser would've used a TR, not a TRS.
A TRS has a small alpha sized gearcase.
The TR has a large gearcase- takes a large dia prop.
Putting a TRS on where a TR should be might not work as far as ventilation.

 

[mkast]

Re: TRS Help

Google "trs drive craigslist"

 

[picklenjim]

Re: TRS Help

Your cheapest,easiest route would be to find a complete used drive.You can get one cheaper than for what it would cost to put together a lower.Then you could sell your existing upper to recoup some of the cost.Theres complete drives on ebay for $1250.Also theres a drive in the Offshore Only.com classifieds for $1650.It's been in there a while so he would probably come down on it.

 

[mcaruthers95]

Re: TRS Help

I appreciate everyone's help on this matter. I'm just going to keep watching the auctions....just having a problem with people who are not sure what they have. I will just have to drive the little Sun Runner until I can get this boat up and running. Once again thanks!

 

[mcaruthers95]

Re: TRS Help

I do have a couple more questions...if I may. Why do some of the "supposed" TRS's I see have splines on the outside of the drive shaft and others have splines on the inside of the shaft? Are these just different years of drives?....can the shafts be interchanged at a certain point on the shaft? My 330 has splines on the inside and also has the spring on the end of the shaft. If my drive is a 1978 do I have a certain range of years I should be looking for....for example would a 1974 TRS drive that looks the same as mine (haven't taken measurments yet) fit my boat? Thanks

 

[picklenjim]

Re: TRS Help

The drive shaft with internal splines and spring on end means you have a Merc Trans.The shaft with external splines has a Borg-Warner trans.You could change the drive shaft at the u-joints.You could use a 74' drive but they are very hard to find parts for.I would stick with a 77'-93 version.You could use a left hand or right hand as long as you have the matching prop.There is a set on ebay now for $950 or make offer.They were used with a Merc trans which are also for sale there.Also if or when you remove your upper make sure you grease your bearing in the trans tail stock.If you look in through the drive bellows you will see 6 nuts in a circle and a grease fitting.This directs grease into the bearing.Also put some grease on your drive shaft splines.Grease U-joints too!!One more thing when comparing a TRS to a TR the TR has a longer lower unit to accomadate a large 16" prop.The TR is usually found on large offshore fishing boats or work boats and house boats.It would be uncommon to see one on a 24' boat.You don't see many of them around.You would probably see 100 TRS's on ebay to 1 TR.