would a 3.0l be enough??

[24'winner]

im restoring a 24ft winner cabin cruiser that had a siezed mercruiser 302 that is too far gone to be a decent fix so i found a new mercruiser 3.0l with outdrive but now im second guessing if the 3.0l would even be enough to get the boat going.. im not looking for speed boat, and not going to be towing anything just need it to to get me the wife and the son around to go fishing just off shore.. honest opinions is what im looking for.. i know the 3l have decent torque but not sure if it is enough..?

 

[Alpheus]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

I would say no. If it was a lighter aluminum boat maybe, but that is just not enough engine for a big heavy fiberglass cabin cruiser IMHO...

 

[24'winner]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

I would say no. If it was a lighter aluminum boat maybe, but that is just not enough engine for a big heavy fiberglass cabin cruiser IMHO...

that is what i was thinking but when you look at the horse power differance the 3.0l is only lacks about 50hp compared to the 302? would that really make that much of a differance?

 

[mkast]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

What does the 24 footer weigh?
302's are a dime a dozen.

 

[24'winner]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

What does the 24 footer weigh?
302's are a dime a dozen.

around 4000lb's

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

that is what i was thinking but when you look at the horse power differance the 3.0l is only lacks about 50hp compared to the 302? would that really make that much of a differance?

It won't be able to get out of it's own way, not to mention changing everything from the engine mounts to the propeller....
You would most likely need to do some stringer work to accept the 3.0....
A 302 or better yet a 351 is the way to go.....
Welcome to iboats, btw....

 

[24'winner]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

It won't be able to get out of it's own way, not to mention changing everything from the engine mounts to the propeller....
You would most likely need to do some stringer work to accept the 3.0....
A 302 or better yet a 351 is the way to go.....
Welcome to iboats, btw....

would the 351 mount to the 302's transome?

 

[24'winner]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

and would i be able to use the outdrive on the 351 (re-geared of course)? its an alpha 1 gen II

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

would the 351 mount to the 302's transome?

Yes, in fact a small block Ford is the only thing that will work with that set up without serious modification...
Most everything that bolts onto your present engine (alternator, starter, manifolds, etc.), can be swapped to the new engine.....
You can get a rebuilt 302 from Rapido for like $1300....

 

[24'winner]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

Yes, in fact a small block Ford is the only thing that will work with that set up without serious modification...
Most everything that bolts onto your present engine (alternator, starter, manifolds, etc.), can be swapped to the new engine.....
You can get a rebuilt 302 from Rapido for like $1300....

hhmmm yea that actually doesnt sound too bad.. i picked the 3.0l up with compleate outdrive for 800 im pretty sure i can sell off the engine for at least 600 to 700 and turn the old 302 in for scrap at the just yard and keep the outdrive and slap in a 351 and save some time and embarresment if that 3.0l couldn't cut the mustard and would of had to swap it out again.. thanks for the words of wisdome!!

 

[tschmidty]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

Yeah, go with a 302 better yet small block 351, as said above. One question though, are you planning on swapping the outdrive or using the one that is already there? And yeah that is a good deal on the 3.0 if it's in good shape, you shouldn't have trouble selling it.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

Horsepower and Torque are not the same thing. The 3.0 is not going to produce enough torque to move anything that big and heavy. Look at the torque specs on the two setups and you'll see the difference.

 

[Bondo]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

its an alpha 1 gen II

Ayuh,... That's gonna be the Deal Breaker, right there...

The Fords are Model 1 friendly, but that's It...
Alpha drives can be used on Mod.1 transoms, but Gen.IIs can't be...

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

I depends on how fast you want to go. I have 3200lb 21 foot starcraft, weight on the trailer axles is 4000 so I am guessing 3200lb, plus add 4 pobs @ another 800lbs. I get 28mph out of it.
I guess, just a pure guess that if you prop it correct you could cruise at 15mph with a top speed of 18 maybe 20.
Alot of fishing boat run 10-15 mph top speed, ever been on a charter. The ones I have been on run 10-12 knots most of the time.
The ocean most of the time on the Pacific will only let your run 15 mph.
I agree if the old outdrive is in good shape from the 302, you could get a 302 or a 351 at a reasonable price.
My personal opinion is stay away from rebuilt marine engines, you have no clue what shape the engine block is in. Mighbe on the verge of rusting through.

 

[24'winner]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

Ayuh,... That's gonna be the Deal Breaker, right there...

The Fords are Model 1 friendly, but that's It...
Alpha drives can be used on Mod.1 transoms, but Gen.IIs can't be...

would a gen II gimbal mount up to the alpha 1 transome?

 

[Bondo]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

would a gen II gimbal mount up to the alpha 1 transome?

Nope,... Not that I've tried, but they are different...

 

[Don S]

Re: would a 3.0l be enough??

Before you can get an accurate answer, you have to explain what you are talking about.
There is no such thing as a "Gimbal" on the back of your boat. You have a gimbal housing a gimbal ring and a gimbal bearing. Which one are you referring to.
Second, the transom is the back of the boat, to me an Alpha I transom refers to the cutout in the transom.
The outdrive also bolts to the bellhousing, which is bolted to the gimbal ring on two pivot pins or bolts which tilts up and down for trim and trailering, which in turn is attached to the gimbal housing which pivots left and right for steering.

To make things real simple. In general, Alpha I Gen II parts are NOT interchangable with anything on the earlier model Alpha and earlier drives.