sleekcraft outdrive problem

[themojaverattler]

This is my first post at Iboats, but I have been comming on for quite some time reading the post. There is tons of good info on, so I figured this would be a good place to come with my problem. I have a 1981 Sleekcraft Executive 23 foot that was passed down to me from my father after he passed. He bougth it new and I still have the oringinal paperwork from when he bought it. It has a hardin marine H260(350 chevy) engine attached to outdrive with a hardin marine logo on it. I have taken it to a boat shop that we have dealt with many times and he tells me the outdrive is a chrysler outdrive which are no longer made and there is no parts to them.

Well here is the problem a few years ago we had the boat out on the water and my father was at the helm. He threw the boat in reverse and snapped the support mounts on the outdrive. I was thinking he was being cheap cause he welded them back up himself. Well the mounts held for a few years and then they snapped again this time breaking more then just the mounts. The engine still runs great. I start the engine up on a regular basis, but it has not been in the water for about 3 years. When I took the boat to the shop. They told me to find the dump, drop the boat, and sell the trailer. I really dont want to trash the boat, but im at the point I really just dont know where to turn with it.

Any ideas from you folks would be great. Thank you.

 

[Don S]

Re: sleekcraft outdrive problem

Post a picture of your outdrive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: sleekcraft outdrive problem

I have taken it to a boat shop that we have dealt with many times and he tells me the outdrive is a chrysler outdrive which are no longer made and there is no parts to them.
When I took the boat to the shop. They told me to find the dump, drop the boat, and sell the trailer. I really dont want to trash the boat, but im at the point I really just dont know where to turn with it.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,... Those guys might be Right, or they may be Wrong,...
Like Don says,... Pictures, Lots of Pictures,... No bigger than 480x640...

Regardless of the outcome of the driveline repairability,..
You can always refit the hull with a current manufacture driveline....
The knowledge base for such a refit is available in the Restorartion forum...

 

[themojaverattler]

Re: sleekcraft outdrive problem

Here are a few pics of the outdrive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: sleekcraft outdrive problem

Ayuh,....

Unless These people can sell you parts,....
They seem to be the Only folks in the world stocking Chrylser/ Dana outdrive parts...
You're probably looking at doing a Total Refit....

 

[themojaverattler]

Re: sleekcraft outdrive problem

Thank you for your posts. Now when you say refit im assuming your taking about finding an outdrive from around the same year as my boat that mated to a 305/350. I figured that would be the cheapest way to go about it. I do have a question about that though. I already know I will have to pull the drive out and reglass the hole and make a new hole. I know that a gm 350 is a gm 350 no matter whos name is stamped on it so the bell housing should bolt right up as long as it come from around the same year. What im wondering is did different companys set there engines/outdrive unit in at different angles. In the auto world we know that ford chevy and dodge set there engines each a little dfferent. One might be set more to the drivers side or the other might be angled high to low ect. Im wondering if marines engines are the same way to keep down vibration. I dont want to put a unit to find out that I did not get the drive angle right and it gets tore apart. Second what would be a good outdrive do use. I have had 2 boats with volvo 280 and 1 boat with a 270 and never had a problem with them. I have also heard mercs are good outdrives. Its just in all how you care for them. Last would a jet drive be any easier to install then a outdrive? Just an idea that popped in my head.

 

[Allan Paton]

Re: sleekcraft outdrive problem

This is my first post at Iboats, but I have been comming on for quite some time reading the post. There is tons of good info on, so I figured this would be a good place to come with my problem. I have a 1981 Sleekcraft Executive 23 foot that was passed down to me from my father after he passed. He bougth it new and I still have the oringinal paperwork from when he bought it. It has a hardin marine H260(350 chevy) engine attached to outdrive with a hardin marine logo on it. I have taken it to a boat shop that we have dealt with many times and he tells me the outdrive is a chrysler outdrive which are no longer made and there is no parts to them.

Well here is the problem a few years ago we had the boat out on the water and my father was at the helm. He threw the boat in reverse and snapped the support mounts on the outdrive. I was thinking he was being cheap cause he welded them back up himself. Well the mounts held for a few years and then they snapped again this time breaking more then just the mounts. The engine still runs great. I start the engine up on a regular basis, but it has not been in the water for about 3 years. When I took the boat to the shop. They told me to find the dump, drop the boat, and sell the trailer. I really dont want to trash the boat, but im at the point I really just dont know where to turn with it.

Any ideas from you folks would be great. Thank you.

One of the questions on this site was what I/O to install. From my personal experience & what I've read I would stay away from OMC 1/O's unless they have substantially improved them in the last few yrs w/o my hearing about it- tend to overheat, crack heads - all a mystery to my OMC dealer/mech. I've had experience w/ Mercruiser units and found them good. No personal experience w. Volvo but generally heard that they are good.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: sleekcraft outdrive problem

Please don't resurrect old posts. These are archived and I`m sure after 6 years he has come to a decision.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: sleekcraft outdrive problem

This thread is so dead, why post? Five years late to the party. Please read the red banner the next time and don't ignore it.