I have an outboard engine that's basically a 1986 110hp, T&T, 25" shaft. I believe the power head was originally a Seadrive but the parts catalogs show both 110HP and Seadrive powerheads to be nearly identical.<br /><br />Shortly after putting the boat in the water last fall, I began to have a lot of problems with the engine quitting at sea. It blew power packs, timer base, possible carb problems. <br /><br />The idiot who built the engine apparently threw together whatever parts he had laying around and got it limping just well enough to demo it to the idiot who bought it (ME). Well, I've learned A LOT about outboards in the last year and a half, which makes me realize just how little I knew when I bought the engine. One of the power packs had a part number indicating it was for a 70's engine! I replaced that after it failed. Then the engine became very difficult to start. The timing coil failed all troubleshooting tests and now I'm wondering why this happened and what other mismatched ignition parts are in there.<br /><br />Anyway, I need to replace both power packs at this point, along with the timer coil. Not sure if the stator got trashed, too. In 1988, OMC converted the dual, redundant ignition system on the '86 & '87 110HP to a single power pack type. I've heard the new power pack is more reliable with some additional features such as rev limiting. I always have an aux. engine ready to go on my boat, so the redundancy of the '86 model is more trouble than it's worth. <br /><br />Since I need to buy all this stuff anyway, I thought why not "upgrade" to the '88 single power pack ignition system. That ignition seems to be the only thing changed on the 110HP from '86 to '88. From my research, I'll need to get a new/used/aftermarket:<br />Power pack, timing coil, stator, regulator and wiring harness. This can add up to a lot of money but finding deals at marine salvage yards, ebay, etc might make it economically possible.<br /><br />Has a modification like this ever been attempted?<br /><br />Does anyone know if the flywheel changed at all from '86 to '88, and will that need to be replaced? (I can't find the '88 flywheel part# anywhere) Are the '88 stator/timer the same physical size and bolt pattern as the '86?<br /><br />Any advice or help will be sincerely appreciated. It's hell having an engine you can't trust and I can't afford eight or ten thousand for a new outboard, at least not this year. Perhaps I can turn this messed up old engine into a silk purse? <br /><br />Thanks!
I'm beginning to wonder if this is a really stupid idea or what. Opinions and pure speculation are welcome.<br /> <br />Does anyone know if this has ever been done, or is the idea just too ridiculous to consider? Am I overlooking something obvious here?<br /><br />Thanks!