Refit drive train to older engine

[erikgreen]

Hey guys - I need a quick answer, apologies for not taking the time to search the archives for stored info.

Looking for a replacement sterndrive for my pre-alpha (its skeg is completely gone, can't be welded) I ran across a boat being parted out. He's selling a complete drive train for a v6 engine including everything from the short block to the prop for not much more than I'd pay for a lower unit. I'd have to pull it out of the boat.

Other than the gear ratio and flywheel cover, I'm wondering what issues I'd run into. I think the v6 probably used the newer coupler system, and my current engine is a v8 with the old style Gm coupler, so I'd need to get at least a flywheel cover to mate to the new width transom plate, probably an "adapter" coupler for the old (1981) flywheel...

Think it's worth it? My old drive is a pre-alpha, works ok except for the skeg. The v6 drive is a Alpha I gen II, comes with all parts and is working except for the cracked v6 block.

I'd be keeping my 1 year old rebuilt V8 (1981 vintage) and swapping in all the parts from the A1GII drivetrain (probably 1990 vintage?).

Erik

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Refit drive train to older engine

can you afford to spring for a lower half from sei? that way you get warranty and don't have to monkey around pulling everythign apart, mixing and matching, etc...? if your time is worth anything that could be the best solution (I'm assuming the upper gear set in your current drive is doing fine).

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Refit drive train to older engine

Buy it, part it out & get yourself a new Gen 1 drive....
I don't think there is a adapter to convert the old two piece rear main models to the newer 1 piece, even on Gen 1.....
The starter bolt patterns are different & the flywheels are as well....
Now, if you were thinking of changing the engine as well, that would be different, but it would basically be a repower....
All the skeg really does is keep the prop from hitting bottom, it will not affect performance, get something welded on, if ya need to.......

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Refit drive train to older engine

Sorry, I didn't catch the low price you would be paying for the one out of the other boat...

It all comes down to how much you value your time and how much it is worth to you to be boating / fishing rather than tearing into and rebuilding things, trying to sell parts, etc, etc...

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Refit drive train to older engine

Haut! Long time no type!


Yeah, it's a cheap deal. I'd have to pull the whole thing myself, which is several hours work at least, and haul it home. Cheap though, cheaper than even just buying the lower half of the drive from SEI.

Maybe you're right on parting it out. But cash flow problems here mean I wouldn't get my boat on the water for a few more weeks. Hmm.

I do need a skeg since it really affects my low speed maneuverability... one thing I do a lot of is tow a side scan sonar, going at idle speed, and without the skeg I can still steer but I have to correct so much it screws up the recording. So I really do need a good skeg, preferably one with an oversize skeg protector.

I'm also down to one prop out of four now with no dings, so that's a consideration too

Erik

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Refit drive train to older engine

I wouldn't know much about low speeds.....
I'd see if I could get something welded on, temporarily & buy & part out the other set up....
You will open a giant can o' worms trying to match the gen 1 engine to the gen 2 drive....