Engine and Outdrive Suggestions?

[76SeaRay]

Boat is a 76 Sea Ray 22 foot hardtop model. This is going to be a complete restoration with the old OMC being replaced with a Mercruiser Outdrive. Looking for suggestions on a replacement engine and outdrive model. What are everyone's thoughts on a Chevy engine and Mercruiser Outdrive versus all Mercruiser? What engine size/model and outdrive model would you recommend? I would like the engine to be fuel injected if possible but want to keep the cost down as much as possible also. Parting out the OMC 235 and will be starting a search right away for a replacement set up. Will be rebuilding the transom to get rid of the OMC giant hole so need to settle on the replacement engine for proper repair of the stringers to fit the engine. Have found threads and videos on the transom repair but haven't found any yet on mechanically mounting a Chevy or Mercruiser in place of the OMC 235.

Thanks...

 

[tpenfield]

Mercruiser uses GM (Chevy) engines, so what's the difference :noidea:

I would go with a 5.7 V8 with Alpha One outdrive. If you want a fuel injected engine, then maybe the 350 Mag MPI. I don't think you will cobble together a fuel injected engine that will work properly from disparate components. So, it would be best to go completely Mercruiser in that instance.

If you have a bigger budget, then maybe a Bravo 3 outdrive instead of an Alpha.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Agreed on getting a complete package. However EFI and keeping cost down are on opposite ends of the spectrum. A complete 5.7/drive package can be obtained relatively inexpensively. EFI will be a few grand more

 

[Scott06]

Agreed with the guys 5.7 and alpha would be cheapest, look for a complete tear out from a wreck or stringer rotted boat. Carb is cheapest , mpi and bravo iii if you have deeper pockets. Set up for engine install is here http://www.boatfix.com/merc/install/gas/86017211.pdf. This is for OEM installers

Around Page 13 is the transom x dimension set up

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Depending on which OMC drive you're replacing.............you may have a lot of glass work yo do on the transom.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Depending on which OMC drive you're replacing.............you may have a lot of glass work yo do on the transom.

Already covered in the other thread. Transom needs work anyway

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Already covered in the other thread. Transom needs work anyway

Guess I didn't see that........

 

[76SeaRay]

Great info. Thanks for the Mercruiser install instructions that is going to be extremely helpful. I will make some measurements tomorrow to see how the existing stringers line up for a Mercruiser. Starting the tear down on what's left in the engine bay (basically the short block/all other parts were just loose in the boat) and see what's under the bad flooring and condition of the stringers. Pretty big hole in the transom so yes, lot's of work to do there.

Didn't know Mercruiser engines were really Chevy underneath. That solves that question. So now I am in the market for a Mercruiser 5.7 and Alpha I guess. By the way, does the Bravo mate up with the 5.7 or just the MPI? Also, I am assuming that the throttle/shift controls and steering controls need to be Mercruiser as well.

 

[Scott06]

https://mercurymarine-gsdesign1.net...4v_installation_drawing_865108r85-and-r88.pdf

That should help with your engine mount stringer location.

5.7 will mate fine with a bravo drive. Bravos are beefier and can handle more power and heavier boats weight and have a smoother shifting cone clutch. One advantage of the Alfa if you do your own work is the drive weight, about 85 lbs. you can easily remove an Alfa by yourself.

On the throttle your best bet is to find a complete junk boat so you can get the throttle / shift lever as well. Not sure of your budget cheapest will be to find the boat yourself, otherwise there is a guy on eBay I believe in Michigan who sells used complete tear out repower packages.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The Alpha 1, gen 2 drive van be found in front of te 3.0, 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, and the newer 4.5, etc

The Bravo can be found vehind the 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, 6.0, 6.2, 8.1, 8.2 and a few others

To save headaches, get a complete package from controls to prop (including gauges)

 

[76SeaRay]

Thanks gang. The drawings are really great. I didn't think that much would be available. By the way, I always wondered how you change the oil on one of these. I see the quick oil change tube/port in the drawing. Guess the metal fitting at the base of the transom is for draining the oil through the tube and not a bilge drain as I first thought. It wasn't connected to the OMC so not sure how they changed the oil unless they just pumped it out. I will look at that more closely this morning. I will be glad when I get the rest of the engine block pulled out of the boat.

 

[tpenfield]

Some of the newer engines are equipped with an oil drain system. Most folks just pump the oil out through the dipstick tube.

 

[76SeaRay]

Double take while looking for Mercruiser parts when I saw a picture of a Mercruiser bell housing. Back to the pile of extra parts with this boat. It appears the previous owner was going down the Mercruiser replacement path. There are apparently Mercruiser parts that were mixed in the pile of OMC parts. Bell housing (59823), flywheel (GM36686IN), Intake Manifold (GM) with carburetor and water hose adapter/hoses , flywheel cover, and exhaust manifolds (77234 and 77235) with risers

I don't have the number on the intake handy writing this but the number checked as a 5.7L. The exhaust manifolds have some rust inside and one of them has a missing piece broken out of one of the risers where the big hose fits. Maybe a piece can be welded into it.

The only questions I have about these parts is whether the bell housing is correct for a 5.7L and how do you tell if the exhaust manifolds are good?

 

[76SeaRay]

Well, checking as best I can on the internet it doesn't look like this bell housing will fit a Mercruiser 5.7L Chev engine. Anybody able to cross reference the number 59823? Trying to sort through this pile of parts and figure you what to keep for the Mercruiser install and what to sell for the OMC parts.

 

[achris]

.... Anybody able to cross reference the number 59823? ....

That's a Mercruiser part, but for a Ford V8, not GM.

 

[76SeaRay]

Great, thanks for the info... Now I know what to do with it... I need an anchor....

 

[HT32BSX115]

Boat is a 76 Sea Ray 22 foot hardtop model. This is going to be a complete restoration with the old OMC being replaced with a Mercruiser Outdrive. Looking for suggestions on a replacement engine and outdrive model. What are everyone's thoughts on a Chevy engine and Mercruiser Outdrive versus all Mercruiser? What engine size/model and outdrive model would you recommend? I would like the engine to be fuel injected if possible but want to keep the cost down as much as possible also. Parting out the OMC 235 and will be starting a search right away for a replacement set up. Will be rebuilding the transom to get rid of the OMC giant hole so need to settle on the replacement engine for proper repair of the stringers to fit the engine. Have found threads and videos on the transom repair but haven't found any yet on mechanically mounting a Chevy or Mercruiser in place of the OMC 235.

Thanks...

Howdy,

If that's a complete restoration, and that's a pretty big boat, I would opt for an around 2000 model or newer .... 300hp 5.7 MPI + Bravo III or maybe an earlier (carbureted) 7.4L + Bravo III