Changing outdrive!

[Jlackey84]

Hi all,

I have a 1964 Hydrodyne runabout that is near and dear to me (to answer the inevitable replies of "get a different boat" )

It has a 289 Ford V8 mated to an Eaton Powernaut outdrive. The outdrive is pretty well shot, and as part of the boat's restoration I would like to update to a better unit. Would definitely like to have tilt/trim. The transom is getting replaced, which gives me some freedom as far as the cutout and modifications.

I don't have a lot of experience with sterndrives, but from what I understand if I want to keep the current powerplant (which I do), I'll need to look at Volvo Penta's since they can mate to a Ford engine and Mercruisers cannot. Please correct me if I'm wrong here, which is likely...

My question is - what would you guys recommend? It's a 17' fiberglass boat, after a little tweaking the engine will make around ~220hp. I would definitely prefer to keep costs under $2k for the outdrive, even if it means piecing one together.

Thank you in advance!

- Jeremy

 

[captmello]

Re: Changing outdrive!

Volvo only used fords in 76 & 77. Then again in the mid 90's when they were merged with OMC. I cannot say whether or not your motor will bolt up to one of the mid ninetys ford transoms shield, etc. The old ones from the 70's will be in rough shape and rarely have power trim.

While It sounds like your attached to the motor, It is a huge limiting factor. A complete drivetrain from a used boat would be your most practical choice. but it is certainly your choice. Piecing together is just more expensive.

Welcome to Iboats, btw.

 

[Jlackey84]

Re: Changing outdrive!

Thanks Captmello, I appreciate your inputs and opinions. It would make more sense to repower the boat with a complete drivetrain from another boat, but then again I am rather attached to this engine. Just from car experience, I don't think the bellhousing bolt patterns have changed from 64 to the 90's for Ford small blocks (then again I'm a Chevy guy), do you think it would be worth trying to pick up a volvo sx? I know they're out of the price range I was looking to be in, but they are pretty sweet.
How practical would it be to pick up an older 270/280/290 and refresh it?

Thanks again!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Changing outdrive!

Thanks Captmello, I appreciate your inputs and opinions. It would make more sense to repower the boat with a complete drivetrain from another boat, but then again I am rather attached to this engine. Just from car experience, I don't think the bellhousing bolt patterns have changed from 64 to the 90's for Ford small blocks (then again I'm a Chevy guy), do you think it would be worth trying to pick up a volvo sx? I know they're out of the price range I was looking to be in, but they are pretty sweet.
How practical would it be to pick up an older 270/280/290 and refresh it?

Thanks again!

Ayuh,.... Chevy power is the state of the art in marine power,....

Why do ya wanta keep the Ford,..??

Ford parts are Way more expensive as well,...

 

[captmello]

Re: Changing outdrive!

Thanks Captmello, I appreciate your inputs and opinions. It would make more sense to repower the boat with a complete drivetrain from another boat, but then again I am rather attached to this engine. Just from car experience, I don't think the bellhousing bolt patterns have changed from 64 to the 90's for Ford small blocks (then again I'm a Chevy guy), do you think it would be worth trying to pick up a volvo sx? I know they're out of the price range I was looking to be in, but they are pretty sweet.
How practical would it be to pick up an older 270/280/290 and refresh it?

Thanks again!

An SX outdrive is what you would have if you used a 90's drivetrain. The older types you mentioned is what you'd get with the 70's drivetrain. Along with the outdrive, you need the correct transom shield, exhaust ypipe, and correct ford flywheel cover.

Rebuilding/refreshing any outdrive can cost a lot of money. You're better off finding one that is in working order.

Bondo is right,btw, GM based motors are the way to go. Many more parts are available. Since you plan to rebuild the transom, you should also consider a mercruiser drivetrain. They are cheaper more common.

Look on Ebay to see whats available.

 

[Jlackey84]

Re: Changing outdrive!

An SX outdrive is what you would have if you used a 90's drivetrain. The older types you mentioned is what you'd get with the 70's drivetrain. Along with the outdrive, you need the correct transom shield, exhaust ypipe, and correct ford flywheel cover.

Rebuilding/refreshing any outdrive can cost a lot of money. You're better off finding one that is in working order.

Bondo is right,btw, GM based motors are the way to go. Many more parts are available. Since you plan to rebuild the transom, you should also consider a mercruiser drivetrain. They are cheaper more common.

Look on Ebay to see whats available.

Thanks for the info, you guys have a lot of experience and knowledge and I appreciate you sharing it with me. That said, I'm stubborn and like to stick my heels in the ground sometimes :bull_head:

It's not hard to agree with what you guys are saying, based on what I've found out and about so far. But... I am rather stuck on this engine. It's completely original, low hours, runs great (for having a 50 year old leaky carb), and I love the water cooled manifolds giving me dual exhaust thru the transom This boat with the interceptor engine was pretty rare, most of them came with 4cyl's. The real reason I get weird and irrational about this boat is that I bought it from my uncle when I was 15 for $100. He was a big Ford guy and bought the boat at an auction to drop the engine in an old mustang, til he found out it was reverse rotation :faint2: He wasn't a boat guy, but he seemed to think this boat was something special... as did my group of friends after we spent a day skiing and tubing before the Eaton crapped out. Here's a video of me starting it for the first time in a while, right before I yanked the engine out a few weeks ago:

64 hydrodyne start and run - YouTube

So again thanks for your help. If it's at all possible to put this old ford to work, I'm gonna go that way. As soon as I find something this will turn into a resto thread, all the way down and up again