1989 bayliner l-drive

[wraith661]

First of all this is my first large boat lol thus the L-drive...but what Id like to know is where are all these grease nipples Ive read about I only see 1 I think for the steering..I hate to ask questions here because I am very mechanically inclined with trucks, and cars lol , but this boat is new to me I don't want to appear to stupid..doesn't seem all that hard to figure out, but Id sure like to learn about this L-drive anyone know alot about them ? Yes I know they were produced for 3 years..it was a good concept..needed to be heavier built by the sounds of it..but keep in mind because they are rare..you hear more about then when they screw up..

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: 1989 bayliner l-drive

You will rue the day you purchased that thing. Finding parts for it is going to be hard X10 Many are NLA (no longer available) If yours is running great, get out from under it if you can. This advice comes from a certified marine mechanic, It's a crappy motor in a crappy boat.

 

[wraith661]

Re: 1989 bayliner l-drive

Why does it seem everyone says stuff like that but can't tell you why !! your a mechanic tell me what is wrong with the system..a bearing is faulty the leg falls off the boat...shafts break..what ?
what is so wrong with it...57 chevy parts are hard to find too lol but you dont flog your car because of it...

 

[Tannerv]

Re: 1989 bayliner l-drive

There is absolutly nothin wrong with them...I had the center section bearing go out on me. It took about 3 hr to get the power head off and the lower unit out...then find the bearing and cross reference the number....all that said...it took less than a weekend...tha ti s possibly the worst thing that could happen to your boat...if your motor blows get a new one...there interchangeable with outboards...as are the lower units....SCREW EVERYONE who hates these boats...i got really depressed when i read what they wrote about L drives, when my bearing was going out...i chose not to listen to them and found a fix... GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOAT AND HAPPY DOCK BASHING...HAHA

 

[scooterdog]

Re: 1989 bayliner l-drive

Besides, it is quite wrong to insult another mans boat!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1989 bayliner l-drive

Well, Wraith: Just like the Chrysler Magna-Power II ignition was acknowledged to be a poor design that regularly failed, the Bayliner/Ldrive is known to be a poor drive system that has problems. And yes, some parts can be difficult to find.

However, just as the Magna-Power II ignition system was in some engines that ran forever, some L drives will last a lifetime with no problems. The odds are against it though.

And just as there are people on the forum who mouth off about how sh##ty Force engines are just because it is a popular opinion with no real basis in fact, there will be those who disdain Bayliner. It is true that early Bayliners were a poor quality boat and they got an almost unshakable rep for that, but quality of later hulls improved. Let's not forget also that Trophy hulls are made by the same company and I have yet to hear people diss them.

If your boat runs well now, enjoy it. If the engine starts to give you trouble, you just might want to consider buying another hull rather than repairing it. --But that's a decision that you hopefully won't need to make for a long while.