engine swap 1988 Starcraft 20' outdrive too ? 305 to 350

[ab59]

Hello, this is my first post so I'm sur I'll screw it up some how.
Last year I bought an old 1977 ski barge and rebuilt it from the stringers up and then sold it a couple of weeks ago . Using a little of the money from the ski barge I bought a 1988 ss 201v Starcraft with roached out deck and interior along with a froze up 305 OMC Cobra mercruser outdrive is supposed to be in good shape . I have found a 1989 350 mercruser with the alpha one outdrive and am considering whether or not to change to the alpha or just bolt up to the OMC Cobra. Whadduya think, should I install the Alpha or use the OMC until it craters ? Thinking about replacing the transom seal anyway . I kinda get from some of the other posts that the 5.7 and Alpha will swap with no problems with an OMC Cobra.

 

[harleyman1975]

Using the alpha is the way to go mechanically but beware the keyhole for the omc is different/bigger than for the alpha.

 

[ab59]

harleyman-- I read some of the other posts and was under the impression that the Alpha outdrive and the OMC Cobra were the same sized hole, is that wrong ?? If the transom will not accommodate the Alpha then I will just use the OMC, Not wanting to replace any transoms if It is not necessary.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you have to drill two extra holes for the Alpha.

get the mercruiser controls too.

wouldnt use anything OMC

 

[Bondo]

Using the alpha is the way to go mechanically but beware the keyhole for the omc is different/bigger than for the alpha.

Naw,... The ole Stringer drives had the big hole,...

The Cobra uses what's become the industry standard, the Merc keyhole,...

 

[ab59]

good to here that the swap will work, was not happy to here that the hole may be to big , phew , man that would be a lotta work. I do not know what exactly is included in this deal. There is a 5.7 Mercruser wiht the outdrive is all I really know , it's one of those " it was the ex husbands " kinda deals and the woman does not understand what I'm asking on the phone so guess I'll see later today as I am meeting her at a Mickey Ds to make the deal. We live Quite a distance from each other so meeting half way was the deal. Did not want to go to her house to pick it up anyway , kinda sounded like I might wind up with a bullet in my #$%%$^%^# for my trouble. LOL. Hope I can continue to get some good advise here , I will no doubt need it. After the power end the deck comes out. Not quite sure I understand how they tucked that plywood under the bottom lip of the aluminum gunnels . At least it's an Aluminum boat , thank god.

 

[Bondo]

After the power end the deck comes out. Not quite sure I understand how they tucked that plywood under the bottom lip of the aluminum gunnels .

Ayuh,.... Do the deck 1st, then ya don't have to work around the motor,....

That's how I did my tinbarge, a '74 Starcraft Islander 221,...

 

[ab59]

Ayuh---and Islander is my keeper. when I turn a few more of these project boats I will search out an Islander and restore it for myself, looks just my speed.
After all the questions and research the gal backed out on the deal 4 hrs before we were supposed to meet ! I guess that at least she did not let me drive 2 hrs to wait for some one who wasn't coming . That means no Alpha, bummer. I did just order a rebuilt Marine 350 with a base cost of 1095.oo before core and tax costs. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise because I'm not buying a pig in a Polk and can be confident in an engine with a 5 yr warranty not a , hope it runs when I get it in warranty lol.
Funny thing about the engine , I don't see that it has any rear motor mounts , just the front two , does that sound rite to you ??? Not entirely sure of what I'm suppose to take loose besides the shift and throttle cables along with the wires attached to the starter and of coarse the outdrive . I found a 5 ft piece of 3 wire harness with a 14 inch Red positive cable laying cut in the motor well and don't know where it came from.Hope to find an obvious place where it was cut from.

 

[ab59]

Ayuh I will take your advise on the deck and the engine. thanks

 

[Bondo]

Funny thing about the engine , I don't see that it has any rear motor mounts , just the front two , does that sound rite to you ???

Ayuh,.... The 2 front mounts, 'n the 2, 1/2" bolts through the flywheel cover to the transom assembly,...

 

[ab59]

Bolts loose,taking stuff off of the engine should come out tomorrow if I can get a wooden gantry built , don't look like my cherry picker would lift the engine high enough to clear the transom. Also looks like I may have some wiring problems as well , the wiring looks good but nothing works when I turn any of the accessory's on.

 

[Scott Danforth]

pull the trailer wheels, set the hubs on some 2x4's and you gain some clearance. may be enough to use the cherry picker

 

[ab59]

Well , I guess that if nothing else it would make getting the engine out a little easier even if I've got to use a gantry . I will fire up the ol compressor an get'er done and if I been livin right the engine will come rite out no problems. lol.

 

[ab59]

Engine is out real easy job thanks to all who took an interest here in this forum and I do thank you all. I would go as far as to tell any one who is thinking about pulling their engine for repower to go ahead and do it and don't worry about it being to complicated because it is not, especially with the help of these forums. I used and old ciber shot one camera that I had bought years ago and took short film clips with sound as I removed wires and brackets etc to aid in putting everything back together rite.
Hey Scott Danforth , I got lucky and my cherry picker lifted the engine just far enough to get it over the transom that was adams apple high . Did not have to use the tip of removing the wheels and tires but gave me confidence that I could get the engine out of the boat no matter what, thanks.
Now, as I wait for my new engine to get here , I begin to remove the deck, looks like I need to head for the rite forum topic for that one.
Thanks again every one.

 

[NHGuy]

Don't miss out on the chance to clean the engine compartment while you are in there. I usually do a coat of paint too. You can run bilge pump float wiring and fuel lines really easy with an engine out.