1978 Reinell 170 engine swap question

[sierra-storm]

Hi, i am looking at buying my first boat, and it might be a 1978 Reinell 170 that is available. This boat currently has a 4 cylinder volvo penta motor, but what little information i was able to find out about it shows that it might have had a V8 option. Does anyone know for sure if this is true? And if so, how much of a pain would it be to swap it? I have done plenty of engine swaps in cars, but never in a boat.

I know someone will probably just suggest buying a boat with a V8 already installed and save myself some work, but this is a budget issue, and i don't have the cash to simply buy what i want at the start. Any help would be appreciated

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 Reinell 170 engine swap question

Hi, i am looking at buying my first boat, and it might be a 1978 Reinell 170 that is available. This boat currently has a 4 cylinder volvo penta motor, but what little information i was able to find out about it shows that it might have had a V8 option. Does anyone know for sure if this is true? And if so, how much of a pain would it be to swap it? I have done plenty of engine swaps in cars, but never in a boat.

I know someone will probably just suggest buying a boat with a V8 already installed and save myself some work, but this is a budget issue, and i don't have the cash to simply buy what i want at the start. Any help would be appreciated

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Yer basic question is, can a V8 be shoehorned into this cheap boat,..??

The Basic answer is,... Ayuh, sure, why not,.... But,....

If yer payin' more than Free, it's too expensive to start,.... even at Free, it's a lousy deal,......

A 1978 hull is gonna be full of rotten wood that'll need replacin',....

The Outdrive won't work with a V8 motor,.....That means ya need a Complete Driveline, Pulleys to Prop,...

When yer replacin' the transom, the keyhole will be different than that ole Volvo, More glass work,...

By the time ya buy the fiberglass, the resins, the wood, 'n rebuild the Hull,....
Ya still gotta buy a Junk boat as a donor to steal the Driveline from,...

So,.... in followin' the script, save yer coins, 'n buy a Runnin, or atleast near Runnin' boat of yer dreams,....
Yer plan is the Most expensive way to get into Boatin',.....

Honest,.....

I'm a junk buildin' Scrapper from way back,.....

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: 1978 Reinell 170 engine swap question

Really could not agree more with Bondo.

Its a large project at best, and then once you complete it your never able to recoup the money spent on it.

 

[Walt T]

Re: 1978 Reinell 170 engine swap question

Don't even think about it. Bondo hit the shaken martini on the head. That is absolutely the worst way to get into boating. sometimes you can find a decent boat with a decent hull and a decent floor that needs an engine and/or a drive and can do quite well since you're a mechanic. You wouldn't pay money to buy a 1971 rusted out AMC Gremlin with a 4 cylinder "because it came with a V-8 option" and expect to shoehorn it in without changing the transmission, differential, entire engine mounts, etc. Just not worth it. I imagine the interior is rotted out too.

 

[sierra-storm]

Re: 1978 Reinell 170 engine swap question

ok, thanks for the advice I wasnt sure if all of those things would be an issue, but even at nearly free, it isn't worth the hassle. I suppose i could just run it with the 4 cyl, but it would be a bit anemic at the elevation of our local lake here (close to 4,000 feet). Anyway, this is why i talk to the experts, so i think i'll pass on this one.