outdrive question

[killerjeep]

I just brought a 1989 baretta phaser 203 home yesterday. I have read all the bad things about baretta boats and got it anyway. I checked every square inch of this thing for rot, right down to lifting the carpet in the engine bay, and checking around and under the engine, everything looked great. The boat has 76hrs on it. Heres my question, I found a tag under the swim platform that says 4.3 on it, this boat has a 327chev in it, so the PO says, where can I look for #'s to find out what engine is in it?? and am I looking forward to problems with this combo?? Brand new to I/O's.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: outdrive question

The 4.3 is a 6 cyl and you know the 327 is a v8.I would want to know if this 327 is an old car motor and if it was modified to marine use properly.Sounds like you may want to have a professional take a look at it.The outdrive would have to be different from the v6 as well.Charlie

 

[killerjeep]

Re: outdrive question

The guy I bought it from didnt do the work. You say the outdrive would need to be different?? Does that mean he HAD to change the out drive to mate the V8?? Or could he mount the new V8 to the the V6 outdrive?? Sorry if these are stupid questions, but not familiar with I/O's. The install looks like factory, meaning it doesnt look cobbled at all. The only thing tat doesnt look stock is the glenwood performance exhaust. Thanks for any help.

 

[killerjeep]

Re: outdrive question

I just went out and looked, Its a alpha one outdrive, serial# oc640125.

 

[captmello]

Re: outdrive question

Nice to see another Baretta on the forum. Welcome.

If it's a V8, you can check the block for a serial number and look it up to see what you've got. Yes, theoutdrive would have to be replaced or regeared to a V8 gear ratio. What brand outdrive do you have? Merc? OMC? Volvo?

Pics may help. We love pics.

 

[killerjeep]

Re: outdrive question

Just learned of this site, so I havent figured out how to load pics. The outdrive is a merc

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive question

That outdrive is a replacement, and the gear ratio isn't recorded. Your biggest problem is the engine.
The 327 was used by Mercruiser in 63-69. No other company even used them. So you can just about bet the previous owner installed it from a car, and things like the starter, alternator, distributor, carb, fuel pump, etc. are NOT marine rated parts. Probably all automotive. If they are automotive, you have a potential bomb on your hands.
The fuel pumps and carb are not designed to keep gas inside the engine if they leak, Marine parts are. So if they leak, the gas goes in the bilge. The marine starters, alternators, distributors, are designed to prevent sparks, automotive are NOT spark protected.
So now you have the potential to blow yourself up by trying to start the engine.

 

[killerjeep]

Re: outdrive question

The guy I got it from wasnt even sure of the motor CI. Where do I look to ID this motor, everything on it looks marine. I'm no expert, just saying it doesnt look like car parts.

 

[killerjeep]

Re: outdrive question

I know buying this thing was a leap of faith, but for 2500.00, I couldnt pass it up, not for the shape its in. Who was it that said, "theres a sucker born every minute" The guy I got it from was a auto mech. He used it 3 times a year. Never had a problem, so he says.

 

[captmello]

Re: outdrive question

serial number on my sbc was behind the port valve cover, but not on the head, on the block 6-8 digits.

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive question

serial number on my sbc was behind the port valve cover, but not on the head, on the block 6-8 digits.

That's for Volvo, Mercruiser has the SN tag just above the starter.

 

[captmello]

Re: outdrive question

That's for Volvo, Mercruiser has the SN tag just above the starter.

right Don, I misspoke, I was referring to the block casting number.

But if the motors got a merc number on it, that would answer a lot of questions.

 

[killerjeep]

Re: outdrive question

This is the # I could see using my phone. GM 3914660. I cant get behind there to anything.

 

[captmello]

Re: outdrive question

yep 327,

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php#casting

 

[killerjeep]

Re: outdrive question

Ok, so what now guys. Car motor, boat motor????? Will the outdrive handle it. Like I said the guy only used 3X a year. What do I have to look forward to.

 

[captmello]

Re: outdrive question

I don't suppose you fond a Merc serial number...

 

[captmello]

Re: outdrive question

You need to figure out if you've got auto components bolted to the motor. If so, you should begin changing them out if you plan to keep the boat and motor. I'm not sure about parts for the 327 however...

Time for some pics of the engine and outdrive. there are various threads with instructions on them for posting pics in the non-boating tech questions forum.

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive question

The drive will be fine for that engine, and is the least of your worries. That engine on the other hand is probably not fine for boating and your life.

There are NO parts for a marine 327's, even when Mercruiser used them back in the 60's, that was before they learned gas and sparks would kill you in a boat. Even the OEM distributor cap had the little metal window in it to adjust the points, and it had a vacuum advance.

 

[killerjeep]

Re: outdrive question

It still asks for a http adress.

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive question

It still asks for a http adress.

What does ????????