lime4x4
Member
I'm thinking of maybe doing a winter project to our current 1986 268 weekender. I'm seriously considering making it into a twin engine boat.I've seen 1985 268 weekenders with twin 4.3 liter engines
how too find the maxium horsepower for a 86 268 weekender
- Thread starter lime4x4
- Start date
lime4x4
Member
a single 350 engine 4 bbl carbed engine
KRB64
Member
- Oct 12, 2006
- 785
- Boat Info
- '76 SRV195 (our first) -> moved up to
'78 240 WE (now 4 sale because ->)
'82 260 DA shared
- Engines
- A Ford 351, a couple GM 350s and a Cummins 6BT to pull it all (W250)
Sounds like an appropriate project for a boat with that name!
You're not one to scare easily huh?
You're not one to scare easily huh?
If you noticed Keoki's signature in his reply above, you'll have some idea of possible power. He can fill you in on what you would have to do.
I think you'll be much better off with a single engine than trying to mess around with 2. If you really want that, get a 30 footer, which comes with twins and is much wider. The 26 is not designed for twins, even though it was offered with them.
Also, didn't you just get this boat? Why not use it for a season or two and get to know it. You'll probably feel very differently about what you want to do after a while. Boating is rarely about quick decisions.
I think you'll be much better off with a single engine than trying to mess around with 2. If you really want that, get a 30 footer, which comes with twins and is much wider. The 26 is not designed for twins, even though it was offered with them.
Also, didn't you just get this boat? Why not use it for a season or two and get to know it. You'll probably feel very differently about what you want to do after a while. Boating is rarely about quick decisions.
lime4x4
Member
had the boat for over a year. I've been on boats that size that have twin engines and i love how easy it is to move around in tight spots. I bigger boat would be nice but i need to be able to trailer it.We love the layout of the boat and it suits are needs for the most part except docking in tight places
lime4x4
Member
yeah i'm aware of not getting my money back.I'm a certified chevy tech.I have a friend who repairs boats.The boat lacks power as well.. 350 engine to push 8000lbs. So even if i installed a bigblock for the power issue. Till i figure in the cost of the big block and bravo drive i've already excedded the value of the boat.So we thought why not just put twins in it. And besides i need something to do for those 6 months i can't use the boat.. due to winter
Sundancer
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2005
- 2,909
- Boat Info
- 34 year old CLASSIC 300 DA, towed almost anywhere behind the Duramax Dually Crew Cab.
- Engines
- 16 cyl, 700 cu. in./Alpha I's
If you look at the cost of putting two NEW engines and drives in, you could easily buy one that is a few years newer with all of that already done? It's a buyer market and there are some great deals out there. I haven't priced out new 4.3 or drives, but I'm guessing you would be in the $15,000 range. Add your time and labor ($1.00 to $10,000) and the new gauge packages, might as well pull the tank while everything is out because it's going to need some love too and you've got a whole lot of expense. I'd go look for a twin engine 270 and I'll bet you can get one of those in the right year range for $30,000 or less. Is it worth it? You are also adding a lot of extra weight and I'll bet that will require an upgrade on the trailer too. What is that going to cost and can your tow vehicle handle the extra weight? You might have to move your water tank forward and I don't know where you would put the holding tank. Maybe forward between or ahead of the engines?
I'd go the 454 route first because the stringers may not line up and you'll have to carve up what's there pretty good to get the 4.3's in. I agree with the previous post, if you do it yourself even if you are a certified boat mechanic, I wouldn't buy it! I'd rather have one that way from the factory!
Still some guys take pride in pulling off a project like this. If there was a compelling reason to do it, then go for it. I'd rather sell the boat after a year and take a loss and then buy the next boat. That would be less than the mods you are considering.
I'd go the 454 route first because the stringers may not line up and you'll have to carve up what's there pretty good to get the 4.3's in. I agree with the previous post, if you do it yourself even if you are a certified boat mechanic, I wouldn't buy it! I'd rather have one that way from the factory!
Still some guys take pride in pulling off a project like this. If there was a compelling reason to do it, then go for it. I'd rather sell the boat after a year and take a loss and then buy the next boat. That would be less than the mods you are considering.
lime4x4
Member
My current trailer is rated for 12000 lbs my tow vechile is a 97 chevy k2500 subarbun.We have looked at 270 with twins but they have a 10 foot beam can't legally tow that.Like i said it was just a thought. I did find a 85 268 weekender with 4.3 liter twins
lime4x4
Member
I know but my luck i would get caught...lol We travel from Pa to Maryland with the boat in tow.So i would be going thru 3 states. So i assume i would have to get permits for all 3 states. I can just imagine that hassle
keokie
Well-Known Member
- Dec 27, 2006
- 1,516
- Boat Info
- 2002 310 Sundancer, Westerbeke 4.5 Genset
- Engines
- 496's, Bravo III's, 2.2:1 Gears
The conversion I did on my 260 made it a completely different boat.
Converting your boat to a big block and Bravo III will greatly improve both performance and handling. Handling will not improve as much as twins, but performance will improve more than with 2 4.3's.
The big block conversion is way, way easier than converting to twins. A big block will plug into your existing wiring harness and all your gauges will work. Existing steering and shift and throttle linkage will work as well. So will motor mounts. The only structural work is to expand the transom cut out and drill two new holes for the transom assembly. There is a template for this and it is quite easy.
The Bravo III will make the boat much more responsive in docking situations. But it still will not be as good as twins. However, I am certain a big block conversion and bow thrusters will still be easier and less expensive than the twins idea.
Converting your boat to a big block and Bravo III will greatly improve both performance and handling. Handling will not improve as much as twins, but performance will improve more than with 2 4.3's.
The big block conversion is way, way easier than converting to twins. A big block will plug into your existing wiring harness and all your gauges will work. Existing steering and shift and throttle linkage will work as well. So will motor mounts. The only structural work is to expand the transom cut out and drill two new holes for the transom assembly. There is a template for this and it is quite easy.
The Bravo III will make the boat much more responsive in docking situations. But it still will not be as good as twins. However, I am certain a big block conversion and bow thrusters will still be easier and less expensive than the twins idea.
velooce
Member
- Jan 28, 2008
- 266
- Boat Info
- 1977 30' Weekender
- Engines
- Twin Merc 454's, Hurth straight inboards
My 2 cents would be the single big block and a bow thruster.
My bet is that even twins will not handle as expected.
In a boat this small you just can't get enough separation between the engines. This is not just a problem of engine access, but more important, the propellers aren't separated enough to give the leverage you are expecting. Slow speed handling will not be much better than a B3, and certainly not like a good twins setup.
This is made worse by the engines being raised as they are moved off-center in this small hull. They will sit higher than a single (even big block) which is settled down in the lowest part of the hull.
In a boat this small you just can't get enough separation between the engines. This is not just a problem of engine access, but more important, the propellers aren't separated enough to give the leverage you are expecting. Slow speed handling will not be much better than a B3, and certainly not like a good twins setup.
This is made worse by the engines being raised as they are moved off-center in this small hull. They will sit higher than a single (even big block) which is settled down in the lowest part of the hull.
I owned several single engine boats before the 340. Handling a single I/O is not as easy as twins but a lot easier than single inboard. It takes practice. I would suggest the big block and practice, practice, practice.
RicGarrison
New Member
I have a question that I hope someone can answer.I have an 88' 230cc with 454 and Rochester carb.When I bought her the carb. linkage was to close to the intake and would not allow enough throttle to fully open up. I bent the bottom part of the linkage ( which was not attached to anything ) up and now it opens up. Does this mean there should be a spacer plate between the carb. and intake? Any other members have a boat like mine ?
