TRS sterndrive maintenance

[jumpjets]

I have been offered a decent deal on a 1980s vintage scarab II. It’s safe and it runs, but it could use some work. It has 2 TRS Sterndrives on it. Owner says they were rebuilt around 20 hours ago.

Where do you find parts and manuals for these? All the threads I find on various forums are 20+ years old.

I’m worried if I tear up one of these drives on a sandbar or something, it’ll be impossible to repair or replace.

 

[Grub54891]

Google Search

www.google.com

Google helps. Are these what you are talking about?

 

[racerone]

Verify that transom on that 40 year old Scarab is solid.-----Many are in poor shape.

 

[jumpjets]

Google Search

www.google.com

Google helps. Are these what you are talking about?

Oh yeah I’ve definitely been stalking google searches. Seems as though there are very few options. I suppose I could call the listed vendors & see if they still service TRS drives…..

 

[alldodge]

TR and TRS are in manual 5
Parts https://www.mercruiserparts.com/all-trs-drives

Find most knowledge on the drives at OSO

 

[Scott Danforth]

Manual can be bought from Brunswick

 

[Scott06]

One thing to keep in mind TRS has a different transom hole. If yiu ever wanted to repower with bravos you would have glass work to do.

 

[Scott Danforth]

One thing to keep in mind TRS has a different transom hole. If yiu ever wanted to repower with bravos you would have glass work to do.

even if you go XR, M6, etc.

 

[Scott06]

even if you go XR, M6, etc.

Yeah same thing, just didn't want him thinking it was a bolt in to get to a non obsolete drive.

I suspect finding the right folks you can keep a TRS going for a few more years.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yeah same thing, just didn't want him thinking it was a bolt in to get to a non obsolete drive.

I suspect finding the right folks you can keep a TRS going for a few more years.

people are still rockin OMG Stringers.....

 

[muc]

TRS was a pretty robust drive but they could use one of two different transmissions (shifting is done inside the boat) borg warner or mercury marine. This is where problems might arise. Last I checked not much available for the merc trans. I worked on a lot of Scarab II's, they were my second favorite Wellcraft. Just a little behind the Nova II. Both are very responsive to trim and propping. Might want to check what trannys are in the boat before you pull the trigger. BAM marine might be able to help.

 

[jumpjets]

Huge thanks to everyone. Great info. I think I’m gonna pull the trigger.

If I scag a drive on a sandbar, it looks like there are 1 or two places that offer re-man’s or used drives. They seem to pop up on eBay every couple weeks.

 

[airshot]

Better check that transom or you might leave more than an outdrive on that sandbar !! At that age, good chance it is weak !!

 

[racerone]

When my Scarab was 17 years old it needed a new transom and stringer work.

 

[jumpjets]

Current owner told me the transom and stringers were redone about 6 years ago. Since then, it’s lived on a trailer, and never really been in the water more that 6 hours at a time.

I can vouch this is correct. Owner is my neighbor and good friend, so I saw the boat every day. I’ve summarized & winterized it several times. He told me all this long before he intended to sell.