Falcon Bonito restoration

[PatriotPhantom]

Hi all,

As a follow on to this thread, I have now started to get some work done on this boat.

I have pulled out the original Mercruiser 260's and Alpha one drives. At the moment I'm trying to decide on renewing the transom or filling / re-cutting, the drive holes. I'm fitting TRS drives, I bought a complete twin setup, engines, gear box's and TRS drives. I'm going to fit these drives to handle the torque of the engines.

I'll start this thread with some photos and see what ideas come back.

Looking forward to an interesting restoration (not the itchy parts though).

Pete

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

Some more photos

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

It looks like I'm going to be better off replacing the complete transom. I've noticed an outward bow in the outside surface of the transom, so there could be some swelling and / or delamination going on in there.

So, for now it's going to be a dry run, fitting the transom shields and working out the engine mounting. Work out where everything will fit on the transom and then do the full transom and entire engine bay.

A couple of questions:

As for the new cross-member. I think that I'll reproduce something like the original cross-member. Each engine and box, (wet) weigh almost 600kg. So what gauge metal would you guys suggest.

When it comes to the transom, the floor that's obviously sitting on the stringers, will have to come out. I presume this is adding strength around the cross-member mounting but is it structural after that? I'm thinking of removing it all, from the transom up to the cross-member.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

A couple of questions:

As for the new cross-member. I think that I'll reproduce something like the original cross-member. Each engine and box, (wet) weigh almost 800kg. So what gauge metal would you guys suggest.

When it comes to the transom, the floor that's obviously sitting on the stringers, will have to come out. I presume this is adding strength around the cross-member mounting but is it structural after that? I'm thinking of removing it all, from the transom up to the cross-member.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... That's the 1st time I've ever seen a 4x4 used as a cross-member...

Where ya usin' the Metal,..??

Btw,.... You do know that TRS drives are antique, obsolete, 'n many parts are NLA,... Right,..??

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

Thanks Bond-o,

I'm open to suggestions regarding the cross-member, it was heavy and rusted away in places.

Yes, I know TRS's are obsolete but they came with the package I bought and with the diesels that are going into it, the drives will have to take a lot of torque.

I also like the idea of the velvet drive gear selecting, without the crunch.

Original cross-member photos below

 

[Gator1996]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

Deja vu!

I am going to follow along anyway. Good luck and keep the pics coming.

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

Please explain? Is there something I should know?

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

Any suggestions for the engine mounts?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

Any suggestions for the engine mounts?

Ayuh,.... Yer gettin' ahead of yerself abit....

Doin' a refit like that, ya do alota Measurin' to see where things are gonna lay...

Yer changin' drives, 'n All,... Twin spacin' may not be the same...

Once ya determine if it's gonna fit, ya hang the transom assemblies...
Then ya got something to measure from for placin' the motors...

I usually hang the motors off the transom on the hook, align 'em, then build out the mounts to the motor...
It's really the only way to do it...

Btw,.... That ole cob-job mount looks like Crap.... No talent built that 1... :facepalm:
get the rest of that trash Outa yer motorwell,...
You'll be buildin' something else...

'n My thought on Twins, is to space 'em as Far apart as is feasible...
('cause I'm a Mechanic, 'n wanta be able to reach "Things")

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

Thanks for your comments Bondo.

Didn't think I was getting ahead of myself, just forward planning and preparation. I agree with your comment on the old mount system, my concern is how to build new mounts for the amount of weight going in.

At first I tried to use the original drive holes and enlarge them for the new drives. Th problem is, the old drive holes are not symmetric and were badly cut out. In the photos (post #1), the new drive cutout shape, is based on the engines being 1cm apart. As I am re-doing the transom, I'm going to increase this to 3cm, to give more space around the motors and yet keep the COG as low as possible (going wider means the drives must be higher).

My plan is to cut out and mount the new drives, then line up the engines from them. Having the support from the inner transom plate and a temporary cross-member across the stringers. This is why I am asking about the new mounts now, so that I can be prepared to figure out where they would best be suited.

('cause I'm a Mechanic, 'n wanta be able to reach "Things")

What are you like with diesels?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Falcon Bonito restoration

Ayuh,.... By trade, I'm a diesel heavy equipment wrench,...

Boats are just my hobby...

You'll be able to glass in wood, or bolt in steel, After ya get the motors hangin', 'n aligned...

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Been thinking.... Dangerous, I know

Been thinking.... Dangerous, I know

That's good to know Bond-o. I might need to pick your brains in the future.



Ok, I'm looking for some serious advise here.

I have two complete engines, two velvet gear box's and two TRS drives (fully serviced and good). I bought these when money was not an issue, as a complete setup, removed from a boat. The guy who bought the boat wanted petrol power.

The more I think about this situation, the more I am thinking about changing to Bravo 1X drives. Although I don't have the spare cash for these drives now, I could proceed using the original Alpha 1 inner and outer transom mounts. My main concern is, to get these engines off the floor and into the boat.

Ok, My idea is:
1, Dry fit the Alpha transom mounts, at the correct spacing.
2, Offer the engines into position and work out the new mountings.
3, Work out where everything is going to fit (After-coolers, pumps, external hydraulic steering, through hull exhaust etc).
4, Pull everything out.
5, Strip and rebuild transom (and maybe stringers).
6, Re cut drive holes and fit everything, using Alpha transom mounts.

I'll need to find two bell-housings, to mate with the Alpha transom mounts but apart from that, I should have everything else.

Next, sell the TRS drives and the Velvet gear box's. Then wait to find a good pair of Bravo drives.

I would be grateful for all and any ideas. Constructive criticism welcome.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Been thinking.... Dangerous, I know

Re: Been thinking.... Dangerous, I know

That's good to know Bond-o. I might need to pick your brains in the future.



Ok, I'm looking for some serious advise here.

I have two complete engines, two velvet gear box's and two TRS drives (fully serviced and good). I bought these when money was not an issue, as a complete setup, removed from a boat. The guy who bought the boat wanted petrol power.

The more I think about this situation, the more I am thinking about changing to Bravo 1X drives. Although I don't have the spare cash for these drives now, I could proceed using the original Alpha 1 inner and outer transom mounts. My main concern is, to get these engines off the floor and into the boat.

Ok, My idea is:
1, Dry fit the Alpha transom mounts, at the correct spacing.
2, Offer the engines into position and work out the new mountings.
3, Work out where everything is going to fit (After-coolers, pumps, external hydraulic steering, through hull exhaust etc).
4, Pull everything out.
5, Strip and rebuild transom (and maybe stringers).
6, Re cut drive holes and fit everything, using Alpha transom mounts.

I'll need to find two bell-housings, to mate with the Alpha transom mounts but apart from that, I should have everything else.

Next, sell the TRS drives and the Velvet gear box's. Then wait to find a good pair of Bravo drives.

I would be grateful for all and any ideas. Constructive criticism welcome.

Ayuh,.... The Bravo transom assemblies have 2 more bolt hole in the transom, at the top...

Just What motors are ya workin' with... "Diesels" don't narrow it down much...

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Engines

Engines

Ayuh,.... The Bravo transom assemblies have 2 more bolt hole in the transom, at the top...

Just What motors are ya workin' with... "Diesels" don't narrow it down much...

Thanks for pointing that out Bond-0. I have got a paper template for the Bravo, so I know where the extra holes should be. Only using the Alpha inner transoms, to act as a rear mount for the engines. I plan to have 3cm between the exhaust manifolds.

The engines are 6.5 twin turbo diesels. They have been hand built to peninsular spec and more. They should be about 330BHP at 3600 rpm and about 495ft.lbs, at 2200 rpm peak torque. Below is a photo when they were in the previous boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engines

Re: Engines

Thanks for pointing that out Bond-0. I have got a paper template for the Bravo, so I know where the extra holes should be. Only using the Alpha inner transoms, to act as a rear mount for the engines. I plan to have 3cm between the exhaust manifolds.

The engines are 6.5 twin turbo diesels. They have been hand built to peninsular spec and more. They should be about 330BHP at 3600 rpm and about 495ft.lbs, at 2200 rpm peak torque. Below is a photo when they were in the previous boat.

Ayuh,.... Sweet power,.... I'd love to have 1 for My barge....

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Engines

Re: Engines

Ayuh,.... Sweet power,.... I'd love to have 1 for My barge....

Thanks.... So what do you think about my ideas?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engines

Re: Engines

Thanks.... So what do you think about my ideas?

Ayuh,.... Go for it,... Bravos are current production drives,... TRS Ain't....

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Engines

Re: Engines

Ayuh,.... Go for it,... Bravos are current production drives,... TRS Ain't....

Thanks Bond-O, Anyone else have an opinion on this please?

Just found another photo, a close up in the workshop.

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: Engines

Re: Engines

Has anyone else got any opinion about this?

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Engines

Re: Engines

I have nothing to offer about your plans to install or re-power. This boat strikes me as a performance boat, and I don't see many like it that have diesel power. I wasn't able to clearly understand which set up you would end up using. Would diesels give you the desired performance this kind of boat usually inspires? Either way, the project is going to be fun,. and I cant wait to see the result, I'll tag along!