repowering 86 liberator

[trkr75]

I bought this boat this summer it was re powered with a chevy 305. The guy who "built" the motor supposedly a full roller just doesn't impress me.
1. he kept putting auto carbs on it.
2. when he put a junkyard distributor on it he forgot to put the gasket between the motor and the dist. on then on top of that never put the clip on that you tighten to keep the dist. from turning
3. everything he says he did I went back and fixed short of rebuilding this "rebuilt" motor he put in.

So my question to you is, do I rebuild this motor or just buy a new 350 marine engine? I am leaning to towards the new motor since I would like some more ponies under the cover. The boat is a 21ft cuddy and my wife and I like to go out with friends. This summer it just didn't seem to have the jewels to get up on plane if their was more then Sue and I and that was with a 17p prop. I have been told by a lot of people that it should have no problem getting on plan quickly as is. but just not happening.

Your thoughts and .02 worth?

Ken

 

[etracer68]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

Sounds like he is blowing smoke up someones butt, on the 305. A auto dist will have safety issues, it should have a brass screen in the bottom to allow flumes to get out. Do you know for sure that the motor was rebuilt. A full roller, will have roller rockers too, and roller lifters. The gear on the dist must be brass, or hard steel to match the roller cam, we used brass in race motors. The 350 complete, would be the road I would go. Also most 4winns liberators of that vintage arould here had ford v8s in them. Something isnt right if that 305 is having problems getting that boat on plane with 17p prop. Just my .0002

 

[Bondo]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

or just buy a new 350 marine engine?

Ayuh,... Without a doubt, go with a 350...

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

I have had two libbys. One had a 305 it was an 88 or 89 211. It would do 39-40 max I had a 15-17p prop on it, slowest speed boat on the lake . Second one was a 1992 201 with a 350 roller motor and 4bbl. with vortec heads. She would do 52-55 mph and was awesome. 305 is a dog. Get the 350 and dont look back

 

[trkr75]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

I may be asking for more trouble then it is worth but here goes anyway. After looking at the USengine website I am kinda sorta thinking about a 383 stroker..... two questions. 1. what is the main difference between a brovo and a alpha? other then the fact that a brovo is stronger?
2. is the brovo just the lower unit or the whole thing?
ok 3 questions. 3. I read somewhere that the transom hole is the same cutout shape as the alpha so it would be easy to swap them out? true?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

1. 383 stroker...350-400 horsepower=grenading Alpha 1 if you are hamfisted often enough.
2. Bravo is a completely different outdrive system.
3. False. Waste of time, energy and money!

 

[trkr75]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

Thanks for the info, I think it is back to the 350

 

[achris]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

... 3. I read somewhere that the transom hole is the same cutout shape as the alpha so it would be easy to swap them out? true?

Thanks,
Ken

That true. The Bravo and Alpha One Gen II cutout has 2 additional holes drilled at the top, but that's easy to do on an older cutout...

Once the old transom assembly is out, putting the new one in is very easy, Alpha or Bravo....

Chris....

 

[trkr75]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

That true. The Bravo and Alpha One Gen II cutout has 2 additional holes drilled at the top, but that's easy to do on an older cutout...

Once the old transom assembly is out, putting the new one in is very easy, Alpha or Bravo....

Chris....

What about just a plain alpha one? I like the idea of going with the bravo and just going with he 383 stroker but not wanting to get into something over my head.

 

[Bondo]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

What about just a plain alpha one? I like the idea of going with the bravo and just going with he 383 stroker but not wanting to get into something over my head.

Ayuh,... Ya just need to drill the other 2 holes up at the top....












edit; benchmark, 39,000 posts

 

[achris]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

edit; benchmark, 39,000 posts

Up until now I was feeling good about my 8,000....

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

That true. The Bravo and Alpha One Gen II cutout has 2 additional holes drilled at the top, but that's easy to do on an older cutout...

Once the old transom assembly is out, putting the new one in is very easy, Alpha or Bravo....

Chris....

I just want to clarify that in my #3 answer to OP; I said false based on the assumption the OP might think he could just hang a Bravo upper/lower unit onto the existing Alpha gimbal housing. I did not mean to offer inaccurate info about the ability to swap the ENTIRE assembly, inside and out, which of course is possible. I think it is an accurate statement that a Bravo drive IS substantially more expensive to own than the Alpha though!

 

[Bondo]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

Up until now I was feeling good about my 8,000....

Ayuh,... As you Should Chris,....

There's probably more Good info in yer 8,000, than my 39,000....

You actually Know what yer doin',...
I'm just Guesssin' 1/2 the time....

 

[trkr75]

Re: repowering 86 liberator

That is what the OP was thinking... Thanks for the info