Repower 1973 Hardtop

[douglcfl]

I've just purchased my first Searay. A 1973 24' Hardtop. Hull is in great shape, no engine or outdrive. I am considering dropping in a 5.0L Chevy with a Volvo Penta 280 Outdrive with power trim. I have access to this motor outdrive combination locally with everything needed to complete it.

My question is whether or not this would require transom / stringer modifications. Looks like I will need to close the current hole and recut for the Volvo. Transom on this old boat looks to be pretty thick, any need for reinforcement?

Look forward to any advice thanks in advance.

 

[Oldsman]

I see you also list it with a 225 outboard? If so the then I would say no. Your boat came with a Ford w/Merc II trans with a TRS outdrive if my memory serves me correct. You would need to cut and drill holes and redo stringers as well. It is not worth all the work.
If there is not a 225 on it then you can but it will take some work to do. Alignment issues will be one of the biggest things to worry about. Filling the hole should be left to someone that has all the equiptment and knowlage to do it correctly. I'll let others chime in as we have a vast array of knolagable people here. Welcome aboard. Olds

 

[douglcfl]

No 225 Outboard, not sure why that is there. The boat is original but the motor and outdrive have been removed. As far is filling in the hole I have a good 15 years experience with Fibreglass work, have filled the transom on several boats and done extensive work with structural glass including stringer replacement. That isn't the part I am concerned with.

With the Ford w/Merc II trans with a TRS outdrive was the thrust delivered to the transom or the through to the motor mounts? And are the stringers in the Searay tied into the transom. If the thrust is delivered to the transom I would think the stringers would need to be tied into the transom to distribute the thrust into the stringers.


Thanks for the reply...