install a ford engine?

[Guy]

I have this small, old speed boat and want to put an inboard engine in.
Can I?
Any advice re:
Exhaust
Heat exchanger, so don't run raw sea water through it...
Prop shaft
Cutlass bearings
Engine mounts

appreciated. Thank you.
Access to lathes, milling machines, etc.

 

[Guest]

Speak to Lancing marine who are experts on converting engines for marine use and can supply marine conversion kits for most types, especially Ford.

Your speedboat is probably designed for an outboard and therefore lots of weight at the stern. As well as being significantly heavier, an inboard engine will alter the centre of gravity and she may not perform as expected. I would check this before starting.

Nick

 

[brianrunyard]

Check out http://lancingmarine.com for marinising kits etc.
To keep the weight at the stern, as with an outboard, it might be best to fit an outdrive, (eg. Enfield etc).

 

[Castletine]

I have a mermaid merlin which is a marinised Ford running stock Ford parts at Ford prices. I've heard there is an owners club tho I haven't the contact details, however they could pos help more.

 

[jfm]

Re: You need an outboard

Guy, having seen the pics of yr boat I think you would be crazy to fit an inboard. Much better to buy an outboard.

Inboard will cost loads. All that marinisation, parts, etc. There's loads of work involved, will take you weeks to modify the boat. And it will weigh loads, then you might need a new trailer, etc. In contrast you can get a good outboard quite cheaply. Eg 3 weeks ago I sold for £650 a mint 1981 Mercury 90hp, one owner from new (me) with full control lever box and hydraulic power trim/tilt. That gives 90hp at the prop shaft and weighs 365lb and your boat would go like stink with it on, I mean 45knots, and fitting it is one day's work! Too bad I sold it, but if you look round you could find similar I hope, under £1000. Looking at your boat, anything 70hp to 90hp would go fast, anything more would be hairy, I mean drive carefully.

Good luck

PS if you are good with engines my brother has a Mariner V6 cylinder outboard, 125hp I think, needs a bit of work, I could get more info. You would need to be good at outboard diy as getting it fixed by a dealer would cost loads

JFM

 

[Guy]

thanks jfm

Thanks for all that. Yes, I have been looking at outboards - save a lot of work.
Can you find out how much your brother would want for his outboard - I do like working on them - quite a challenge just making the special tools req'd sometimes - and where is he in the country? - It might be a bit big for me however.

Anyway , thanks for all the help.
Regards, Guy

 

[jfm]

An outboard you may or may not want

Guy:
Here are details of by brother's outboard

Mid 1990s Mariner (=Mercury) 115 ELPTO
4 cyl
Power trim

Needs new cylinder block as it has been "hydrauliced" - it got water up the exhaust into the cylinder and the block split on the compression stroke. Aforementioned Outboard and Hydroplane Services have a secondhand block available for £300. You would have to swap over the crank, pistons, reeds and conrods etc.

Also needs a new plastic oil tank (holds the lube oil for the oil injection)

And needs a service to the elec motor that runs the hydraulic power trim

Leg, gearbox etc all fine. It was on a divers RIB and got swamped in weather. They had no time to fix so just bort a new motor. That was 2 yrs ago and it's sat in the shed since.

So, quite a bit of work but a fine motor when done. Maybe would cost you £450 to repair including the block for £300. Plus lots of hours.

The other alternative is find another one for £300 with a good head but knackered bottom end, then just do a frankenstein and make one good motor out of the two. You need any Mariner/Mercury 115/125/135 4cyl to pull off this stunt

My brother said to say you can have it for £175. Location is Southport, Merseyside, which is 10 miles from Frank's shop with the block.

Big project, not sure I would recommend, but if you like the sound of it lemme know!! Good luck anyway


JFM

 

[Guy]

Re: An outboard you may or may not want

Thank you.
If your brother was just down the road I'd be tempted - I like a challenge.
But I'm at the other end of the country.
Thanks, anyway.
Guy

 

[tico]

Hi. I have a volvo AQ171 engine 2.5L 168HP that I have taken out. (Now fitting diesels) low hours ard good running order. The advantage is you get all the hard work of marinising done.
I'm open to offers.