few swap questions

[lotz]

i have a 1985 imperial cuddy cabin, 20', that had a locked up 3.0l in it. i got the motor out and started tearing it down and found a lot of water in the oil, i would like to put a v8 in it so i will be looking for the motor and outdrive for that over the winter, so my question is if the backing plate for the v8 and 4 cyl outdrives are the same. i have to redo the transom and some of the stringers so now is the time to do the swap since ill have to redo the motor mounts anyway.

 

[matt167]

Re: few swap questions

The 3.0L has the same bellhousing pattern as the SBC/BBC V8. So I guess it's possible you can use something from the 3.0L. Drive ratio's are all wrong for a V8, so you'll need an entire new outdrive. You'll want to get a V8 donor boat, or at least the complete engine/ outdrive package from 1. piecing it together won't be cost effective.. Also check your hull ratings to make sure it can handle the extra weight/ power

 

[lotz]

Re: few swap questions

where should i be able to find the ratings at as far as power. the tag on the inside of the boat is so faded that i can barely read it, and i havent been able to find much info on the boat itself online.

 

[matt167]

Re: few swap questions

The hull tag is where the rating will be. Possibly someone else will know, but Imperial has been gone for a while, so they are not around to help anymore. The holding company that owned them may still exist and be able to get records. That company was/ is ASI..

I think those boats only came with 470's or the 3.0L's.. My dad had a '84 VC230. Nice boat, but he let it go cheap when the 470 started knocking