Transom clamps

[Automechanicmav]

Hello, new to the forums. Had a question on transom clamps for a 1991 Bayliner Capri. I’m attempting to mount a 1984 force 125hp outboard and I’ve come across the transom clamps being 1/2” too narrow for my 3” transom. My question is, can you swap the white force clamps with the wider black clamps from the newer style engines? My engine has 2-1/2” clamps and it doesn’t fit my 3” transom.
thanks

 

[Automechanicmav]

Hello, I have a question regarding transom clamps on a 1984 125hp force. My transom is 3” wide on my 1991 Bayliner Capri and the clamps on my “new to me” force motor measure 2-1/2” wide. Are the clamps interchangeable with the 3” clamps or do I need to go another route?
thanks

 

[Texasmark]

First question I would ask is: Are any clamps 3"? Seems pretty wide to me. Secondly, Merc went from the old West Bend-Chrysler non thru prop exhaust to a thru hub exhaust somewhere down the line meaning that the whole LU, Midsection was/appeared to be a new design. I saw a picture of one today in a boat sale site. The LU looked mighty familiar.....akin to regular OEM Merc. Might be a source for you to scout if somebody proves Merc goes to 3" on their 3-4 cylinder engines. Now whether or not those clamps would backfit to your engine is out of my league.

 

[jbcurt00]

Hello, new to the forums.....

Please refrain from starting multiple topics about the same subject.

Hmm, outboard Bayliner Capri should have come w an 1.5in plywood transom encased by @1/4 in of fiberglass on each side, so less then 2.5in...

Evidence of a prior owner re-muddling the transom before you got it.

I suspect a couple good pix of the inside and below splashwell transom shots would reflect re-muddling..

 

[JimS123]

3" seems odd to me as well. Did someone rebuild your transom and make it out-of-spec?

 

[Automechanicmav]

Sorry for the multiple posts, wasn’t sure I did it right the first time. I guess I’ll have to take a closer look to see if it was redone. It looks as if it came straight from the dealer this way. I’m trying to figure out how to get pictures on here, forgive me.

 

[Automechanicmav]

[No message]

 

[jerryjerry05]

The old type screw down clamps were OK for the standard size transom.
Someone reworked yours.

The fix: in 97 Force went to a through bolt transom clamp.
If?? you can find a pair you can make them work.
You'll have to trim the nipple off the top.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai...=2ahUKEwjRt6uHyYPqAhVQWDABHQciA6wQvhd6BAgBEEk

 

[JimS123]

If I'm seeing the picture correctly, it looks like an extra 1" thick piece was added on the inside of the transom. It also looks like it sticks up above the transom.

Maybe a quick fix on a rotten transom that was found to flex?

Before you worry about larger clamps, maybe you should inspect the transom to be sure it's safe.

 

[Automechanicmav]

Will I be able to bolt to new style clamps directly to my tilt and trim assy? I guess my main question was if the clamps are interchangeable between the years? Thanks

 

[jerryjerry05]

Yes they should have the same mounting holes.

Start spraying with PB Blaster or WD or any penetrating oil.
Being as they've been on there for a LONG time, they're not gonna come apart easy.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Before you buy new brackets and start swapping parts do some measurements. Make sure your outdrive will in fact sit in the right position when its resting on that lip which looks like its an inch or so tall. That may position your outdrive to high theres a plate at the lower section of the drive unit that is supposed to sit pretty close to flush with the bottom of the boat. Ask others here for exact positioning or google how to get this right. Its possible you may have to alter that lip or something to get it positioned right. One other option instead of buying more brackets especially if the transomS to high now is to cut off just enough of the brackets to clear that lip and just bolt your outboard to the transom. Not saying this is the right thing to do but i have seen engines of 150 or so bolted on much higher then the bracket could clamp to the boat when installed on a boat they actually didn’t fit right and seen them in operation for years. I skied out of a lot of old junk when I was younger my redneck buddies cobbled ten boats to one often. I’m not saying its right I’m just saying I’ve seen it done and without problems you could brace the front side of the transom with a thick piece of aluminum as well. Would I do this on a 8000 pound boat with a 250HP engine no. But your going down the road of old modified boats already.

All that being said I’d be tempted to notch out that area and just drop the saddles of the bracket into that notch and run with it. If your transom is rotted out that bad you might need to rethink its support to begin with aluminum plate is a simple fix it can also be cut with a skill saw.

 

[Automechanicmav]

Just wanted to update on the clamps, the newer style clamps are a direct replacement, the transom was not reworked and is straight from the factory at 3” thick.

 

[jerryjerry05]

How much you pay for the SS bolts and nuts??
Last I say they were 12$ each??? and hard to find.

 

[Automechanicmav]

I was lucky enough that the previous owner left the bolts with the boat, so I just cleaned them up and reused them

 

[jerryjerry05]

Keep us posted as you work on the job.

One hint: the T@T is mounted easier when the bracket isn't mounted
on the motor and not mounted on the boat.