88 Smoker Craft

[vincechig1975]

Wife and I bought an 88 Smoker Craft open bow today and it has a 2.5 l in it, I was wondering if my 470 would work in it's place since it's a knockin really bad and I have a 4.3 to go into the cuddy we have . It is an alpha drive and I know the inner plate and coupler will need swapped around. Just curious if this will work. Thanks again guys.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Wife and I bought an 88 Smoker Craft open bow today and it has a 2.5 l in it, I was wondering if my 470 would work in it's place since it's a knockin really bad and I have a 4.3 to go into the cuddy we have . It is an alpha drive and I know the inner plate and coupler will need swapped around. Just curious if this will work. Thanks again guys.

Ayuh,.... The drive's gear ratio will be all Wrong...

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

What gear ratio is it supposed to be then, the the I have is 1.84.1 I am not really sure but it's the one that was one the cuddy I am finishing up. Thanks Bond-o

 

[Bondo]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

What gear ratio is it supposed to be then, the the I have is 1.84.1 I am not really sure but it's the one that was one the cuddy I am finishing up. Thanks Bond-o

Ayuh,.... A 2.5l, or a 3.0l motor uses a 1.98:1 gear ratio...

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Would I be able to do an entire outdrive swap then? Just curious here, but if I could find a 3.0 or another 2.5 then things would be just great here. The Boat is in great shape, the motor runs but knocks like all get out. Thanks, any suggestions are welcome

 

[Bondo]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Would I be able to do an entire outdrive swap then? Just curious here, but if I could find a 3.0 or another 2.5 then things would be just great here. The Boat is in great shape, the motor runs but knocks like all get out. Thanks, any suggestions are welcome

Ayuh,... A 3.0l long block will get ya runnin' for 'tween a Grand, 'n $1500...

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Here on iboats you mean right Bond-o? If not is there another supplier ? I'll have the critter here in a week, finalized all the paperwork today, and had to resettle on the askin price... $0000.00, yep that's right free to a good home, and all we had to pay for is the paperwork and make up an amount to pay the taxes on the boat w a bad engine, and the trailer which is in absolutely terrific shape. The fella that ownes them ownes the marine store here, which is really cool. We made a deal I couldn't refuse nor could the wife and after inspectin the whole deal the boat has not soft spots, and looks good, just needs an engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

$0000.00, yep that's right free to a good home,

The most expensive boat you can own is a free one.

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Thanks Don that's true, I appreciate that (laughing a bit after I read your post) wife looked at me n said he's right. Now I have to ask this one .... can I do an entire outdrive, gimble and engine swap if it's setup correctly for the 470, or am I not seeing the entire picture here? Just curious.....

 

[Don S]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Now I have to ask this one .... can I do an entire outdrive, gimble and engine swap if it's setup correctly for the 470, or am I not seeing the entire picture here? Just curious.....

That would be about the only way to do it and get some usable results. Then you at least know things were designed to work together and fit.

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Thanks Don, I appreciate that and was going on those guidelines myself, but would it be possible to send me some links to do this including wiring correctly? I really don't want to get rid of the cuddy (wife n I like the fact of having it n finishin up the other project), or lead me to where I can get the info myself ( and learn as I go). I guess we're all gettin a bit of a chuckle (here) out of this one now.....I also know the 470 is a bastard engine for obvious reasons from reading the posts, but I rebuilt it myself and know what I did (including cam n crank seals) following mercruiser guidelines. My intent was to reinstall it in the Cuddy but if I can get some realistic usage out it that would be great too, but really don't want to get into another major project if I can help it. So i guess lookin for another drive and engine would be another option...I guess I need to see the broader picture in this matter. Where could I look Ebay, Craigs List,maybe a boneyard and convert it for marine usage ......any others per suggestion? Options Options Options, where to begin. Guess I need a bit of help here Don.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

You seem to know what you are doing, and the advantages and disadvantages of the 470, so I say go for it. The one great thing about that 470 is using it late season. Two minutes to drain the heat exchanger right on the ramp and you are freeze protected, and if you get a nice day in November, just put the plug in and go out, drain it when you come back in and you are all set again. Should make that 88 scoot. You are transplanting the engine and outdrive right?

 

[Don S]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Wiring depends a lot on what year your 470 is, and how it was wired. Did the 470 use an ammeter on the dash or a voltmeter.

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Don it has a voltmeter, Stoney thanks it would have to be all matching so I know the fit would be "true" no mismatches, It is an 88 model of engine/watercraft/drive no replacements (that I could see) mercruiser all the way in this case....
Both crafts are 1988 Alphas

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Here's photos of the instrument panel in the cuddy

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Here's the photos of the cuddy's instrument panel

 

[Don S]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

With both engines being that new, You should be able to just swap engines and plug the new engine into the instrument harness with no problems at all, same with trim. You might even have the same transom shield and trim pump. Just check the exhaust tube mounting pattern. You could luck out and only have to swap engine, exhaust tube, and drive and be good to go.

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Thanks Don, I was wondering if you could check out my post in the electrical thread, about the two remaining wires, I still have them and need to find out where they go. Thanks for the help, greatly appreciated

 

[Don S]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Got me, you will have to trace them back in the harness and see if the white one is just faded and is actually another color. Black is ground.

 

[kd7isf]

Re: 88 Smoker Craft

Are you sure it was actually knocking?
Bad ujoints and/or really bad gimbal bearings can make similar noises..