I/O engine & outdrive replacement

[SonomaScott]

A little help? I have a 1969 ArenaCraft (16 1/2 ft.) with the original Kaiser (Buick) V6 231cid engine and Volvo outdrive. The boat has a lot of history in my family and I want to keep it. However, the 43 year old engine is in need of a rebuild or replacement, and since parts are hard to come by, I would like to replace it and the outdrive. I assume that engine weight and dimensions (to fit within the cowling) are obvious considerations. Does anyone have some advice for me? I have zero experience doing something like this. I understand that the cost of the project will exceed the value of the boat and that is really not a problem.
Thanks.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

I would keep a look out for a donor boat with a 4.3 Merc set up. change everything.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

If money is no object, you can do anything you want.
For $5k you can have a new 4.3L installed top to bottom and a nice used Alpha 1 transom assembly hung on the back.
Where are you located? Mercruiser engines and drives are widely available in most heavily populated boating regions.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

Chances are the transom would need to be glassed over, and recut to a smaller opening for a late model Mercruiser. It also wouldn't be an easy installation.

Just take it that you've got your investment out of this boat. When the engine goes, so should the boat.

 

[HorizonblueDK]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

Since you have no experience in doing an engine/outdrive swap, the best thing would be to purchase a complete new setup. A 3.0 engine would be enough, for your 16.5 footer. You are gonna save some weight over the 4.3, and a brand new 3.0 will perform just as good or even better that a 42 year old V6. I would have recommended a Volvo, because of the better gearshift than Mercruiser, but Volvo doesn't produce the 3.0 anymore.

You are gonna need a transom adaptor plate or redo the transom.

It is also an option to find something newer than what you have, 280 sterndrive and a Volvo OHV engine, and then you woun't have to redo the transom. But I will not recommend that, since you don't have the experience, nor some Volvo insight. You will end up with something old anyway, that maybe needs an overhaul, and if you can't find a complete setup, you will have to find the parts separately.

 

[SonomaScott]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

Thanks for the help. It sounds like my options are pretty wide open once we address the issue of fitting the new engine and outdrive through the transom. The boat has too much sentimental value to let it go so we'll find a way to make this work.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

redoing the transom and mounting the new drive will require a pro.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

redoing the transom and mounting the new drive will require a pro.

It'll require a "pro" to help. You can do it yourself with the right kind of help.

There are plenty of people here on iBoats who have done complete floor and transom replacements that have never done fiberglass work before.

It's very labor intensive, it's not something that you would want to pay someone to do (wouldn't be worth it) but it would be a great family project to keep a family boat in the family!

I would replace that Volvo setup with a much newer Mercruiser Alpha Gen II or even Volvo Penta SX 4.3L set up. (same transom cut-out)

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

Chris Craft used Buick 3.8's and I know some on the Commander board still run them in Lancers and the like. I'd rebuild it if necessary

 

[SonomaScott]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

Lot's to think about. Rebuild or Replace?
Since posting the question, I have found that parts for this engine are not as hard to find as I had thought. There are even rebuilt Kaiser-Buick 3.8's available which will match my outdrive. I think I'll go the rebuild route.
This is a great site for mechanically challenged boaters like me! Thanks all.

 

[matt167]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

It's not actually the 3.8L, but still a very common engine to get parts for. It's the 225 CI/3.7L Buick. GM sold the engine design/ casting rights to Kaiser ( Jeep ) in 1967, and continued production thru 1970 when AMC bought Kaiser.

If you wanted a bit more power potential, the 215 Aluminum block V8 was based on the same architecture, and was used in some inboard applications, so manifolds and such do exist. They are not made anymore but can still be found. It's also about 40# lighter than the 225

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: I/O engine & outdrive replacement

my bad, I forgot about the 225

 

[EganCoronet]

What is the model/number of the outdrive in your setup?